Are you crazy about stews and braised meats? Then a Dutch oven is indispensable in your kitchen cabinet! Besides flavorful stews, you can also make the most delicious braised dishes with it. Thanks to the thick bottom, heat is evenly distributed and excellently retained. And that is exactly what you need when searing, simmering, and stewing. Vegetables can also be prepared wonderfully in this pan. Think, for example, of a delicious vegetarian Shakshuka.

Our Dutch ovens are available in different materials

When it comes to even heat distribution, a cast iron Dutch oven is ideal. This material is extremely strong, lasts an incredibly long time, and has the quality of retaining heat! Would you like a cast iron Dutch oven? Then you can choose a variant with or without a non-stick coating. The latter are certainly not of lesser quality; they just require a bit more preparation. A cast iron pan needs to be seasoned before use. This is fully explained in our selection guide. Besides cast iron Dutch ovens, we also have enamel Dutch ovens. These stew pans are somewhat lighter than a cast iron pan and are very suitable for gently and evenly searing meat.

Which Dutch oven best suits your needs?

Are you looking for a good Dutch oven? To give you a nudge in the right direction, we have created a top 5 of our best-selling Dutch ovens. Which Dutch oven is ultimately the best also depends on your personal preferences and taste.

Sola cast iron Dutch oven

Would you like a budget Dutch oven that still has high quality? Then the Sola cast iron Dutch oven can certainly be recommended. The stew pan features a non-stick coating and can be used on various heat sources. Additionally, you can also use the pan in the oven. When you are done using the pan, you can easily clean it in the dishwasher.

Which Dutch oven can go in the oven?

Not all Dutch ovens are suitable for use in the oven. Of course, this depends on the material the pan is made of. An aluminium Dutch oven, for example, should not go in the oven, but a stainless steel or cast iron variant can handle it just fine. Do you have a pan with a non-stick coating? Even then, you should pay close attention to the instructions, as some brands still advise against using their Dutch oven in the oven.

Some recipes call for finishing the dish in the oven. This can be convenient, for example, when you are making a stew and the meat needs to cook a bit longer. Or perhaps you would like a crispy layer on your vegetables. In such cases, it is very nice if your Dutch oven can also be used in the oven!

How do I season my Dutch oven?

Before using a cast iron Dutch oven without a non-stick coating, you need to season it. This means heating the pan and then cooking something in it. This can be peanut oil, for example, which is an oil that can withstand extremely high temperatures. When you do this, a protective layer forms on the pan. This prevents the pan from rusting and prevents or at least greatly reduces sticking. It is best to season your Dutch oven on a gas stove or in the oven. Make sure you ventilate well, as it can produce quite a lot of smoke!

What is the difference between a stew pan and a Dutch oven?

Many people think there is no difference between a stew pan and a Dutch oven. However, this is not entirely true. Stew pans are often somewhat deeper and have a thicker bottom than Dutch ovens. This is because stews need to simmer longer, leaving more liquid in the pan. Dutch ovens, on the other hand, are primarily used for frying or brief steaming.

The most important difference between the two pans is the depth. A stew pan is ideal when you want to make dishes that need to simmer a bit longer, such as a stew or ragout. A Dutch oven is better suited when you want to cook relatively faster, for example when steaming vegetables or cooking meat. When cooking meat, think of roasting a rolled roast. The searing process is very important here. Before a rolled roast is done, it easily takes an hour or more.

Stew pans in different designs

Whatever your personal taste, chances are you will find a suitable pan at Cookinglife. You can choose from many different colours, designs, and materials. In terms of colours, the choice is vast. You can choose from the colours blue, cream, yellow, grey, green, orange, red, pink, white, and black. In terms of design and shape, you can choose from a round or oval Dutch oven. When choosing the shape of the pan, make sure the pan fits on your cooktop.

A Dutch oven for every heat source

Whatever heat source you have at home, at Cookinglife you will find a suitable Dutch oven. We offer stew pans for induction cooking, gas cooking, electric cooking, ceramic cooking, halogen cooking, and for preparing food in the oven. If you have found a Dutch oven that interests you, check the product information carefully to see which heat sources the stew pan is suitable for. You can see this at a glance from the icons under the heading 'heat source'. Are you specifically looking for Dutch ovens suitable for induction cooking? Then check out our Dutch ovens for induction.

How do you maintain a cast iron Dutch oven?

The most important thing for a cast iron pan is that it stays greased. Therefore, always rub it with oil after cleaning. How do you clean the pan? With hot water and a washing-up brush. It is important that you do NOT use dish soap! However, this only applies to cast iron pans without a non-stick coating. For a cast iron Dutch oven with a non-stick coating, it is advisable to use a few drops of dish soap and warm water. Then you can use a soft sponge to clean the pan thoroughly. With a non-stick coated pan, you should not use a steel scourer. This can damage the non-stick coating. When you maintain your cast iron Dutch oven properly, it will last an incredibly long time!

What do you do with a Dutch oven?

The Dutch oven is ideal for searing, browning, and simmering meat, fish, poultry, and game. This is because the pan has a thick bottom. This ensures that heat is well conducted and retained. You can generally use a Dutch oven both on the cooktop and in the oven to prepare food. To sear meat, you need to heat the stew pan to a high temperature with some oil or butter. Once the pan is up to temperature, you can let the meat simmer for hours. During this process, all the herbs and other ingredients infuse into the meat, allowing you to enjoy an extremely flavourful piece of meat.

What should you look for when buying a Dutch oven?

Would you like to buy a Dutch oven, but you are not sure what to look for when ordering one? No worries. To make sure you get the best deal, we have compiled a list of key points to help you make the right choice.

Heat source: the suitable heat sources can vary per pan. Make sure the Dutch oven you buy is suitable for the heat source you have at home. Check the product information displayed on our product pages to verify which heat sources the Dutch oven is suitable for.
Material: each type of material has its own pros and cons. Carefully review the pros and cons of each specific Dutch oven per material type. This way, you can be sure you are buying a stew pan that matches your needs and requirements well.
Size: in our range, you will find Dutch ovens in all sorts of sizes. Check carefully what the size of your heat source is and match the diameter of the stew pan accordingly.
Shape: aesthetics matter too, so it is also important to pay attention to the shape of the pan. In our range, you will find round and oval Dutch ovens. If you choose an oval Dutch oven, keep in mind that it takes up more space on your heat source than a round stew pan.
Colour: the colour of your Dutch oven is a matter of personal taste. In our wide range of stew pans, you will find many different colours. You can choose from colours such as blue, cream, yellow, grey, green, orange, red, pink, and white. When choosing the colour, make sure it matches the rest of your kitchen's style.
Brand: are you a fan of a particular brand? Then check our range to see if your favourite brand is among them. We carry leading brands in our stew pan assortment. Think, for example, of a Dutch oven from: Le Creuset, Sola, or BK.
Oven and dishwasher safe: are you looking for a Dutch oven that is suitable for use in the oven or dishwasher? Then look carefully at the product information displayed on our product pages. Under the features heading, you can see whether a stew pan is suitable for the oven or dishwasher.

How do I choose the right size Dutch oven?

When choosing the right size Dutch oven, it is important to consider the size of your household and your cooking needs. A large Dutch oven, such as a 28 cm model, is suitable for larger groups and preparing large dishes. Think of a casserole or a larger roast.

A small Dutch oven, such as a 24 cm model, is ideal for individual meals,

couples, or smaller families. These pans are convenient for preparing smaller dishes. Think of a vegetable casserole or a smaller stew. Before you buy a Dutch oven, consider the size that best suits your cooking activities and your available kitchen space.

Buy a Dutch oven

Have you been able to make a choice and do you know which Dutch oven you would like to buy? Simply order your desired stew pan in our online shop and we will make sure your pan is delivered to your home as quickly as possible. Did you know that Cookinglife is the right place for everything related to pans? With us, you can not only buy a Dutch oven, but also a: frying pan, pan set, grill pan, sauté pan, wok pan, saucepan, pancake pan, or poffertjes pan. But you can also come to us for specific induction pans. Would you like to buy an affordable Dutch oven? Then filter by lowest price first or keep an eye on our deals, for example around Black Friday.