Le Creuset Enamel Cast Iron

This year, let us make your holiday shopping experience a little less stressful. The Dutch oven is a universal gift for every recipient on your list. From your colleagues to your cousins, we have compiled a list of the best Dutch ovens to add to your holiday shopping.   

The Dutch oven is not actually an oven. Although it does work like one. The Dutch oven is a heavy pot with a tight lid and is usually made of heavy materials. Most have high sides and can hold liquids such as soup, stew, and braised. 

Traditionally, Dutch ovens are made of cast iron. Cast iron has an incredibly high heat resistance, which makes these pots the first choice for chefs on days without electricity. A pot that can be placed directly over an open flame makes it easy to prepare hot meals and even toast.  

Today, Dutch ovens more or less retain their original high walls, covered shapes and strong, heat-resistant materials. Although campers still appreciate their fireproof properties, Dutch ovens have also become the favorite pots of home cooks, who are looking for something that can go directly from the stove to the oven.   

If your holiday gift list includes a gourmet who will love thoughtful and practical gifts that have been used in the kitchen for many years, then the Dutch oven is a good choice. 

Although the basic shape of a Dutch oven is fairly standard, there are many options to choose from. From different materials such as cast iron and ceramics to various sizes and colors, choosing the right Dutch oven to please everyone on this year's holiday list is very important. 

This is the best Dutch oven for all kinds of chefs.

Your adventurous friends will love the classic features of the Lodge Deep Camp Dutch Oven oven. Yes, this will add some weight to their hiking bag. But once they set up camp, the three feet at the bottom of this Dutch oven made it easier than ever to make a hearty meal under the stars. The pot is available in five sizes for single campers or crowds. It also has a convenient stainless steel handle for putting the pot on or hanging on the fire. 

Brothers, sisters and friends who have small nests at home need a pot with enough cooking ability. The eight-quart Le Creuset enameled cast iron Dutch oven is the ticket. It is made of durable cast iron, coated with beautiful colorful enamel, and will not chip or wear over time. In fact, the gift recipient will be able to pass on this timeless work to the next generation.  

Not all Dutch ovens are cast iron or enamel, and Tramontina Covered Dutch Oven is a gleaming stainless steel option that complements a stylish modern kitchen. This pot is lighter than other models, and the safe oven temperature is as high as 500°F. It may not be the best choice for an open flame, but for most controlled cooking environments, this pot can solve the problem. 

Compliment your lover's kitchen obsessed with design with the beautiful Perfect Pot from Our Place. This pot comes in four attractive matte colors, which can be matched with any kitchen decoration. It has an aluminum core coated with non-stick ceramic and is suitable for all cooktops, including induction cookers. The pot is even equipped with a filter so your friends can eliminate their filter. 

If you want to shop for the first kitchen renovation, choose a compact Dutch oven that won't monopolize too much storage space at home. The Le Creuset enameled cast iron French oven (another name for the same type of cookware) is the perfect size for small families. It has a capacity of 2.5 quarts and is available in eight colors to match the personality of your loved one. 

For gourmet friends who already have a fully equipped kitchen, the best Dutch oven is a cute miniature Dutch oven. This 4-inch enamel cast iron Dutch oven from Crucible Cookware is the best way to serve individual pie, French onion soup or caramel pudding.  

Lizzy Briskin is a freelance food writer and product reviewer. She runs the content creation company Earthen Food Co (https://earthenfood.co/), where she develops and shoots recipes, shares food stories and her (usually strong) views on everything related to cooking and eating. She is also a trained chef and marathon runner and lives in Boston. Contact her at lizzy@earthenfood.co and follow her on Instagram @lizzybriskin.