There’s nothing quite like home cooked food. However, not all cookware is suitable for use in the oven. This can limit the things you can make from the comfort of your own kitchen. If your cookware can’t be used above a certain temperature, then you can’t experiment with the different foods that you want to create.
An enameled Dutch oven is the perfect solution for your problem. This is a versatile piece of cookware that can be used to create a variety of different dishes, from artisanal bread to comforting stews. But with so many different brands available, how can you find the best enameled cast iron Dutch oven for your needs?
That’s where we come in! We’ve researched and reviewed hundreds of cast iron cookware to find the best enameled cast iron Dutch ovens on the market. Whether you prefer to buy from trusted brands or need a budget friendly piece of cast iron cookware, we’ve got the enameled cast iron Dutch oven to suit you. So let’s take a look at the best enameled cast iron Dutch ovens!
OUR TOP PICK
The Lodge enameled cast iron Dutch oven easily earns the spot of our top pick. This particular Dutch oven comes with a range of great features that will make it your go-to piece of kitchen equipment. This is a 6 quart Dutch oven, which will be more than large enough for all of your favorite dishes. It’s also available in a range of 10 different colors.
A handy feature of this Dutch oven is that it comes with cast iron loop handles. This makes the dish much easier to handle when you put it in the oven and take it out of the oven. The handles also make for easier transportation between the kitchen and your table.
This particular Dutch oven is safe to be used with temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Including the lid! This makes it the perfect choice for those who want to create a variety of different dishes. The lid will also work to trap in any moisture you need for certain dishes.
It’s best to hand wash this enameled cast iron Dutch oven. This will help to maintain the integrity of the enamel covering. It’s also recommended to use wooden utensils, as metal utensils may scratch the enamel surface.
Pros:
- Versatile - can be used in the oven up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit
- Large - 6 quart enameled cast iron Dutch oven
- 10 colors - choose the color that best suits your preferences
Cons:
- Heavy - heavier than other pans because of the cast iron
EDITORS CHOICE
The Amazon Basics enameled cast iron covered Dutch oven will give you everything you need to cook your favorite dishes. This particular Dutch oven comes complete with a handy lid, which will be especially helpful for cooking dishes that need to be covered. The Amazon Basics enameled cast iron Dutch oven is available in a range of 4 different colors.
This particular Dutch oven is 4.3 quart. This makes it large enough to cope with the majority of dishes, including stews, bread, cobblers, and many more. The 4.3 quart Dutch oven is the perfect size for families of 3 to 4 people.
Another great thing about this particular Dutch oven is that it’s available at a more affordable price. This makes it a great alternative to some of the pricier options such as Le Creuset cast iron cookware. Cast iron cookware is also incredibly durable, so the Amazon Basics cookware will last you for many years to come.
What’s really great about this cast iron cookware is that it works to evenly distribute the heat. This will mean that your food is cooked to perfection every time. It’s worth noting that the enameled covering isn’t non-stick, so you will still need to use plenty of cooking oil to prevent foods from sticking to the surface. It’s recommended to handwash the Dutch oven to maintain the integrity of the cast iron.
Pros:
- Family friendly - perfect for a family of 4
- Budget friendly - more affordable than some competitive brands
- Cast iron - evenly distributes the heat for perfectly cooked for every time
Cons:
- Hot - you will need to use oven mitts for handling the hot lid
BEST VALUE
The Crock-Pot artisan round enameled cast iron Dutch oven is another great choice for those who are working to a budget. This particular cast iron Dutch oven is available at a more affordable price than some competitive products. You’ll get the choice of 7 different colors. There is also an oval sized enameled cast iron Dutch oven available.
This particular cookware is a 7 quart enameled cast iron Dutch oven. This makes it the perfect choice for those who want larger cast iron cookware to cope with a variety of different dishes. The Crock-Pot enameled cast iron Dutch oven will be perfect for slow cooking, braising, simmering, baking, and much more.
You’ll have perfectly cooked food every time with this particular enameled cast iron Dutch oven. The cast iron design works to evenly distribute the heat across the whole pot, so you won’t have to worry about food that’s burned on the outside and raw in the middle. Another handy feature is that the enameled porcelain covering is naturally non-stick. The manufacturer would still recommend hand washing to maintain its integrity.
Another great feature of this enameled cast iron Dutch oven is how versatile it is. It’s suitable for use with all kinds of stoves, including electric, gas, and induction stovetops. The cast iron cookware itself is oven safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pros:
- Large capacity - 7 quart enameled cast iron Dutch oven
- Efficient cooking - evenly distributes heat and comes with natural non-stick properties
- Versatile - oven safe for up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit
Cons:
- Weighty - the Dutch oven is on the heavier side because of the cast iron
RUNNER UP
The Puricon enameled cast iron Dutch oven will be the ideal choice for those looking for decent mid sized cookware. This particular Dutch oven is 5.5 quart, which will make it perfect for making a variety of dishes from the comfort of your own home. This enameled cast iron Dutch oven is oven safe for up to 540 degrees Fahrenheit and it’s compatible with all cooking surfaces.
You won’t have to worry about having poorly cooked food with this Puricon enameled cast iron Dutch oven in your kitchen. It gives you great heat retention, and works to evenly distribute the heat across the whole of its surface. This makes your cooking experience much easier and safer to boot!
Another great feature of this particular enameled cast iron Dutch oven is that the lid fits it perfectly. You won’t have to worry about any steam escaping and potentially burning you. The lid works to keep all the moisture where it needs to be so that your food can stay perfectly cooked.
This particular Dutch oven features a porcelain enamel coating. This will prevent any unwanted smells from clinging to your cookware once you’ve finished cooking. To keep the enameled cast iron Dutch oven in great shape, it’s recommended to hand wash it afterward.
Pros:
- Large capacity - 5.5 quart enameled cast iron Dutch oven
- Perfect cooking - excellent heat retention and works to evenly distribute the heat
- Versatile - can be used for baking, broiling, braising, sauteéing, simmering, roasting, and more
Cons:
- Heavy - the enameled Dutch oven is quite heavy
RUNNER UP
Le Creuset is the creme de la creme of cast iron cookware. This particular brand comes with an impressive reputation that’s hard to beat. And it’s a reputation well earned! While this cast iron cookware is more expensive than some competitive products, it will be well worth the investment. We’d say it’s safe to bet that this particular enameled cast iron Dutch oven will be able to outlast the vast majority of cheaper products on the market!
This particular enameled cast iron Dutch oven works to be more efficient than competitive products which don’t feature an enameled coating. The Le Creuset cookware offers a superior heat distribution and retention to any competitive products on the market.
What’s really great about this particular cookware is that it makes use of an advanced sand-colored interior enamel which offers greater resistance to wear. The enameled coating on the exterior will also be resistant to chipping and cracking over time. So you can rest assured that this cast iron cookware will last you a lifetime.
Another great feature of this cast iron cookware is that it features 45% larger handles. This gives you a more sure grip when removing the cookware from the oven. You’ll be able to comfortably grip the handles even while wearing oven mitts.
Pros:
- Quality - crafted by a trusted brand with a great reputation
- Durable - features a long lasting enameled interior and exterior
- Large handles - gives you a more comfortable grip even with oven mitts
Cons:
- Expensive - pricier than some of the competitive products on our list
Best Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven Buying Guide
Searching for the best enameled cast iron Dutch oven can be a challenge. There are so many different factors to consider, not to mention how expensive they can be. It may be tempting to opt for the cheapest Dutch oven that you can find. But how can you make sure that it’s still suitable for your needs?
We’ve put together a list of all the essential factors you will need to consider when it comes to choosing the best enameled cast iron Dutch oven. As long as your chosen Dutch oven covers the below points, you can rest assured that it will be versatile enough for your needs.
Take a look at everything you will need to think about below, or skip ahead to the frequently asked questions.
Size
One of the most important factors that you will need to consider is what size enameled cast iron Dutch oven to opt for. There’s no point opting for a smaller Dutch oven to buy a cheaper model if it’s not going to be big enough for your needs!
While a 4.5 quart enameled cast iron Dutch oven may seem on the smaller side compared to some Dutch ovens, this will be the perfect choice for a family of 3 to 4 people. You should be able to cook all of your favorite dishes in a Dutch oven of this size. If you need to feed more people, you should opt for a 5.5 quart or larger Dutch oven.
Compatibility
You will need to ensure that your chosen enameled cast iron Dutch oven is compatible with your particular oven or stovetop. This is because some cookware isn’t suitable for induction stovetops.
Some induction stovetops need special cookware to work with them. If your cast iron Dutch oven isn’t suitable for use with your type of oven, it will be worth looking for a competitive product that’s able to tick all of your boxes.
Max oven safe temperature
Another factor to consider is what’s the oven safe temperature of your chosen enameled cast iron Dutch oven. This is because if you use your cast iron cookware at too high a heat, it can damage the enamel coating. You will of course want to ensure that your chosen cookware stays with you for many years to come.
Take a look at the max oven safe temperature of your chosen enameled cast iron Dutch oven. For the majority of cast iron cookware this will be around 500 degrees Fahrenheit. But it’s important to know the absolute maximum temperature that you can use for your enameled cast iron cookware if you want it to last.
Even heat distribution
You should look for enameled cast iron cookware that’s going to evenly distribute the heat. This will ensure that all of your food is cooked to perfection. Any cast iron cookware that doesn’t evenly distribute the heat it endures will leave you with food that’s burned in one area, but raw in another. This will leave you with inedible food.
An enameled cast iron Dutch oven that’s capable of evenly distributing its heat as well as offering you great heat retention will be more useful. This will give you beautifully cooked food every time.
Colors
The great thing about enameled cast iron cookware is that they’re often available in a range of great colors. The color shouldn’t alter the price of the cookware all that much, either. You should take a look at the range of colors available. This way you can buy the cast iron cookware that best matches your kitchen.
Value for money
You will of course want to get great value for money. This doesn’t necessarily mean you should opt for the cheapest enameled cast iron Dutch oven that you can find. Just because it’s cheaper doesn’t mean that it’s better. You will be better off opting for a Dutch oven that’s going to give you great value for money.
Take a look at the materials used for construction. Are they durable? What type of enameled interior and exterior has been used? How has the manufacturer recommended that you care for the Dutch oven in the long term? All of these factors will determine whether you’ve opted for a great value for money Dutch oven.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best enameled cast iron dutch oven?
The best enameled cast iron dutch ovens are:
- Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
- Amazon Basics Enameled Cast Iron Covered Dutch Oven
- Crock-Pot Artisan Round Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
- Puricon Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
- Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Dutch Oven
Which is better: enamel or cast iron dutch oven?
An enameled cast iron Dutch oven will be better than a non-enameled cast iron Dutch oven.
This is because the metal won’t need to be seasoned regularly to maintain a non-stick coating. Even though enameled cast iron cookware is slightly more expensive than cast iron cookware that hasn’t been covered, it will be worth it in the long run.
The only factor you will need to bear in mind is that you will have to wash the cookware by hand to properly maintain the enameled interior and exterior.
Is enameled cast iron worth it?
Yes, enameled cast iron is worth it! Even though it’s often more expensive than competitive cookware, it is so versatile that the investment will be worth it. You can use your new cast iron cookware for a variety of dishes. The only limit will be your imagination!
Another great factor about enameled cast iron cookware is that it’s so hard wearing. The right kind of enameled cast iron cookware will last you for many years to come.
Seeing as cast iron cookware is so pricy, it will be worth opting for a set if you can. This will give you better value for money overall. Even though enameled cast iron cookware is more expensive than cast iron cookware that doesn’t come with an enameled finish, it will be worth the investment.
