Menu
Author:
Molly Weinfurter
A freshly baked loaf of bread beats the store-bought alternative any day! But baking bread isn’t quite right without the ideal equipment.
A dutch oven for baking bread at home is the key to making a tasty loaf of bread for any occasion. So, how do you choose which dutch oven is right for you?
When baking bread at home you’ll want to ensure that you have the best dutch oven possible. Here are 12 excellent products that should satisfy your baking needs.
This deep red dutch oven also comes in many colorful varieties. It’s a 6-quart cast iron dutch oven with a stainless steel knob and a smooth glass surface.
This round enameled dutch oven holds 5.5 quarts and can withstand up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. The exterior is a reddish-orange “flame” color.
The Tramontina Dutch Oven is a 5.5-quart container with cast iron material. It’s compatible with nearly all ovens, including gas, electric, and induction cooktops.
This Lodge dutch oven has a simple black cast iron appearance, with a flat lid and no handle. Unlike other models, the lid can convert into a skillet though.
This Uno Casa product is another bright red dutch oven made with enameled cast iron. It even comes with a matching mat and potholders.
This light purple dutch oven adds some extra style to your kitchen. It’s 1.5 quarts, making it suitable for dates or one-person meals.
A 6-quart ceramic dutch oven is great for having guests over. This model works on gas, electric, ceramic, and induction stovetops, and it has a nice blue exterior.
The Staub dutch oven has a simple graphite gray look. It has a tight-fitting lid that can help it withstand up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit or 900 degrees without the lid.
This 4.5-quart cast iron dutch oven has a notable light blue exterior. The heat inside is distributed evenly, and it can withstand up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
This solid black stewpot holds 4.2 quarts at a time. It’s versatile, so it’s safe to use in the oven, on the stovetop, or even on BBQ grills.
This blue enameled cast iron dutch oven is designed with grooves in the lid to circulate moisture. It’s dishwasher safe, but hand-washing is recommended.
This product is the perfect option for a Valentine’s Day meal. It’s a heart-shaped dutch oven with a light pink cast iron exterior.
Most dutch ovens might look similar on the surface, but the features and qualities may vary. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect from a durable and convenient product.
Of course, there are plenty of dutch oven varieties, but most options should have features that make cooking and baking easier. Here are the essential features for your new dutch oven.
Capacity
Check the size of the dutch oven before you buy it to ensure that it’s big enough for your needs. Most dutch ovens for baking bread are between 4 and 6 quarts.
Depth
The dutch oven’s depth should match its capacity. If it’s too shallow, the bread might get flattened on the top when the dough rises.
Shape
The shape of the dutch oven depends on the shape you want your loaf of bread to be. Round or oval shapes are usually the most common.
Convenience of use
Not only should it be easy to make bread inside, but it should also be easy to clean up afterward. That means no bread sticking to the edges and ideally dishwasher-safe.
Lids
The lid should be a tight fit with a knob for easy removal. Some lids also have grooves on them to help moisture circulate better.
Handles
The handles on each side should be large and easy to grip onto. Loop handles are usually the most effective choice.
Materials
Pay attention to what the dutch oven is made of. Will it stand up to high heat and prolonged use? Most products are made with an enameled cast iron exterior and a non-stick interior.
Now you know what product you should be looking for, but you might still be wondering how to use one. As it turns out, it’s not as complicated as it seems!
A dutch oven is a versatile piece of cookware that can be traced back to the Netherlands. Before the 17th century, pots and pans were made of expensive copper and brass.
But an English inventor later discovered that cast iron was cheaper and still effective. He was able to use a Dutch process to mold the cast iron into a pot, hence the name “dutch oven”.
Dutch ovens can be cooked on the stovetop, in the oven, or even over a fire. Here are some of the primary dishes made with dutch ovens:
Of course, these are just a few examples of what dutch ovens can do. They’re ideal for slowly cooking items while keeping heat trapped inside.
Dutch ovens are round pots with heavy lids, and they’re ideal for all great cooks. So, if you haven’t found the perfect one yet, the following types of dutch ovens might be helpful.
“Dutch oven” is a broad term, meaning there are lots of different types used for various purposes. Most dutch ovens are used either inside or outside, but there are some unique styles as well.
Outdoor Dutch Oven
Outdoor dutch ovens are made for campfires. They’re made of a thick cast iron that’s often sturdier, but less polished than an indoor product. They have sturdy legs on the bottom too, allowing you to set the dutch oven right in the coals of the fire.
Indoor Dutch Oven
Most dutch ovens are found inside, which is likely what type you’ll be using to make bread. They’re still made of cast iron, but they’re usually covered in an enamel finish. While they’re not suitable for outdoor use, they’re great for all types of indoor ovens and stovetops.
Special Types of Dutch Ovens
Depending on where you are in the world, dutch ovens come in different styles and with unique purposes. Here are some special types of dutch ovens:
For bread-making, stick to an indoor dutch oven of ideal size. Yet, if you’re interested in making other dishes, you might be curious about other types. After all, every dutch oven has cooking benefits.
Dutch ovens can have benefits for all families, no matter how much experience they have with cooking and baking. The most common reason is that they’re easy to use!
Recipes are fairly simple in a dutch oven, and most of the cooking involves you letting the food sit and cook. The lid of a dutch oven traps the heat and moisture inside, which is why it cooks so well.
They’re ideal for baking bread because the steam inside keeps the bread soft for longer. This gives it more time to expand, leaving it with a crust that looks straight out of a cookbook!
Dutch ovens are also great because they’re so versatile. Sure, you can bake bread in them, but you can also cook a full meal, complete with meat and vegetables.
On top of everything, indoor dutch ovens are often stylish too. They’ll look good whether you leave them out or store them in a cabinet. That is, only if you properly maintain them.
Cleaning dishes can be such a pain! Over time, they could get food stuck to them and the inside could stain. But if you stay on top of maintenance, you should experience minimal issues.
Most dutch ovens recommend that you only hand wash them. So, after use, thoroughly wipe down your dutch oven. Then, boil water inside it to remove any remaining food residue.
Next, scrub and wipe down the interior again to remove the loosened residue. Once your dutch oven is clean and looking good as new, rinse it off and wipe it down to dry it.
It’s important to note that while you can use dish soap for cleaning an enameled cast iron dutch oven, a traditional cast iron oven could be harmed by certain soaps. So, you’ll need to be cautious if your product doesn’t have an enamel coat.
The cleaning process for a dutch oven might sound tedious, but it will keep your cookware safe and looking sleek. Take your time while washing your cookware to get the best use out of it.
You can always buy bread from the grocery store, but it will never compete with homemade options. Choosing the best dutch oven for baking bread at home can help you impress guests with a fresh, irresistible loaf of bread.
Choose the Best Dutch Oven: 5 Features to Consider
https://www.everythingkitchens.com/choose-the-best-dutch-oven.html#
What is a Dutch Oven and How do you use it?
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/cooking-tools/cookware-reviews/a34932688/what-is-a-dutch-oven/
Types of Dutch Ovens
https://bushcooking.com/types-dutch-ovens/
Everything You Need to Know About Dutch Ovens
https://www.goodfood.com.au/recipes/news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-dutch-ovens-20191013-h1iu0x
How to Clean a Dutch Oven: Cast Iron vs. Enameled Cast Iron
https://www.allrecipes.com/article/how-to-clean-a-dutch-oven/
