How to Buy a Dutch Oven

If you need to buy one good pot you can use every day and can depend on to simmer a tasty beef stew as well as fry up a batch of crispy potatoes, look no further than the standard Dutch oven. Sometimes referred to as stockpots, Dutch ovens are reliable and reasonably priced kitchen must-haves.

Instructions

1. Buy a pot that measures between 9 and 10 inches in width. Make sure the sides are between 3 and 4 inches deep. The width ensures you can brown large amounts of food at once. The depth allows you to use the pot as a deep-fryer.

2. Select enameled cast-iron Dutch ovens. Cooks prefer cast-iron cookware because it maintains heat at a constant temperature for long periods. The enameled coating ensures you can cook acidic ingredients, such as tomatoes, without pitting the pot's coating.

3. Lift the Dutch oven to make sure it feels heavy and thick. Heavy, thick Dutch ovens hold and promote heat so foods cook evenly.

4. Check the manufacturer's directions. Make sure the pot and its handle can withstand the oven's heat. Dutch ovens must brown foods on top of the stove and then go into the oven for long, slow cooking.

5. Determine whether the Dutch oven has a heavy bottom. Buy a Dutch oven with a sturdy bottom so you can brown foods evenly without scorching.

Tips & Warnings

• All-Clad and LeCreuset both manufacture top-quality Dutch ovens. However, both are quite pricey. For an inexpensive but equally good alternative, get the Dutch ovens that Target Chefmate and Tramontina make.