Why You Need This Classic Dutch Oven, According to a Michelin-Starred Chef (2024)

FAQs

Why You Need This Classic Dutch Oven, According to a Michelin-Starred Chef? ›

Mussig says a Dutch oven's ability to maintain heat also makes it a great choice for shallow frying food in lard or hot oil, as heat stability is important for cooking with larger volumes of hot oil. This same quality makes Dutch ovens well suited for braising and baking bread.

What makes Dutch ovens (also sometimes called French ovens) so enduring is their versatility. The sturdy build helps store and maintain heat, the heavy lid traps condensation and allows for more efficient heating, and the single-piece construction means Dutch ovens move easily between the cooktop and the oven.

And while there are plenty of sizes to choose from, like oval Dutch ovens, or shallow Dutch ovens, Cimarusti prefers the classic Le Creuset 5.5-quart Dutch oven. “The attention to detail is just great,” he says. If a Michelin-starred chef uses one everyday, it's worth adding to your kitchen.

Le Creuset is a pioneer in color development and the leader in highly-durable, chip-resistant enameled cast iron. Although others now offer their own interpretations of our signature craft, our visionary enamel expertise spans nearly a century and gives our brand the edge in quality and innovation.

Like their Dutch ovens, Le Creuset coat their skillets in durable enamel, which enhances the flavor of your food and reduces the need for traditional seasoning. The only downside is that the skillets aren't dishwasher-safe, and you might have to give them a good scrub to get clean.

The Chef's oven has sloped, round sides; it almost looks like more like a bowl you can cook in. The Dutch oven has straight, flat sides. This means that while you can use both ovens to do the same things, you're not going to get the same results.

The Cast Iron Dutch Oven Is Actually From England. When Darby returned from The Netherlands, he set about working on his own version of the sand-molding technology. In 1707, he patented a design for a cast iron cooking pot that he named the “Dutch oven.” Soon, industrial-scale production began, and the rest is history.

Le Creuset Toughened Nonstick pans are manufactured from premium materials that will provide the best in durability and cooking performance. Each pan is made from heavy gauge, forged aluminium that has been specially treated to provide a strong, toughened finish that will withstand the demands of everyday use.

While some Le Creuset products are made in China, the company's enameled cast iron products are still made in its original foundry in France. Le Creuset's stainless steel and nonstick cookware is most often made in Portugal.

1. Lodge Dutch Ovens. Lodge Dutch ovens are a popular and highly regarded alternative to Le Creuset. Made of cast iron, Lodge Dutch ovens are known for their excellent heat retention and even heat distribution.

What can you not do with Le Creuset? ›

Do not plunge a hot pan into cold water. While Le Creuset's enamel is designed to be the most durable on the market, thermal shock may still occur, resulting in cracking or loss of enamel.

Le Creuset has a light enameled interior while Staub has a black enameled interior. Some cooks may find the black enamel of the Staub makes it hard to see fond development. However, it also means it's less likely to show the natural scuffs, scratches, and discoloration that happens with regularly using cookware.

Because chef's ovens are often made from stainless steel or aluminum, they typically have multiple layers of metal, allowing for rapid and even heat distribution. Dutch ovens, made from cast iron or enameled cast iron, have a high thermal mass, meaning they retain heat well and provide a consistent cooking temperature.

Enamel has an extremely long life and is very easy to clean and maintain, making it the perfect coating for iron cookware. Lastly, it comes in endless colors and textures.

Traditional cast-iron dutch ovens are sturdy and durable. They should be seasoned before they are used and should only be cleaned with hot water. Just like their enameled counterparts, traditional cast-iron dutch ovens can be used on the stovetop or in the oven.

Why Are Dutch Ovens So Expensive? A cast iron Dutch oven is a hefty piece of equipment, and all that iron comes at a cost: a lot of material goes into constructing this multi-purpose pot.