Dutch oven cookware has been kicking around since settlers first arrived in America, and actually long before that. It’s nice to see that they have evolved over time and are still a useful part of any kitchen. Today I’m going to talk about different options you have when it comes to choosing your own Dutch oven pots and pans and I’m also going to talk about the different price ranges you can expect to find.
What is a Dutch Oven?
First of all, we need to talk about what exactly a Dutch oven is. Basically it’s a very thick-walled pot, and it’s usually cast-iron and has a very tight fitting heavy lid. Back in the old days they used to come with their own little legs so that you could put them directly over the campfire; but these days they usually come with smooth bottoms so that you can use them with your modern stove.
There are a number of different companies that produce these timeless cooking pots including:
- Le Creuset
- Le Chasseur
- Lodge
- CampChef
- Wagner
- Staub
- Sante
- and others
Why Do You Use Them?
They have a number of different uses but usually you use them whenever you want to cook something for a very long time, and very slowly. They’re perfect for roasts and even stews. Some people like to take them camping and use them as a general cooking pot for the campfire.
How To Care For Your Dutch Oven Cooking Pot
You should care for these much like you care for any other cast-iron pot. When you first buy them they will usually come with a sort of wax coating that you’ll have to scrub off. After you use it, wash it by hand and then completely dry it. Then you’re going to need to give it a very thin coat of oil, cooking oil is fine. That should prevent it from rusting.
After you oil it then you need to heat it back up again so that the oil in the metal sort of bond together. This is sort of referred to as seasoning a new cast-iron pot. After you “season” it you should continue to clean it much like you would any other cast iron pot or pan. It’s not really recommended that you use soap to clean them or at the very least use as little soap as possible and instead use boiling water and a brush.
How Much Do they Cost?
Prices can vary depending on the size of the pot. You can find a small 5 or 6 quart pot for between $30 and $40 and a larger 8 quart pot for around $70 to $90 just depending on the brand more than anything else. Of course, larger sizes will continue to cost more and a 10 quart Dutch oven can easily run you over $100 or more.
Dutch Oven Cookware has a certain historical flavor that makes using them fun and something a little out of the ordinary. If your current kitchen doesn’t have one then I highly recommend you buy one today. You’ll be glad you did, trust me!
