Many of us were lulled into buying a large set of matching shiney cookware at some point along the way. Me? I’m a fool for nearly anything made from shiney stainless steel, and the collecting gene is alive and well. I had a complete set (and I do mean 30 something pieces of complete) of the orginal X$@% (no longer made) brand of commercial cookware. And I found myself trying to find excuses to use every shape and size of pot and pan that I owned.
Then sanity prevailed. It’s not how well the “set” matches, it how well the pot performs. Turns out you don’t need that much stuff in your kitchen. But you do need some essentials that you will use every week if not every day. The Dutch oven is one item that will be a cornerstone of you kitchen. Cast iron is the only preferred material for many reasons, but to summarize, it’s all about thermal mass. Simply put, nothing else comes close for a long braise or simmer, or searing a large roast. I even use mine as a deep fryer when the urge strikes. Copper clad stainless ovens just can’t perform to the levels required.
You can go two ways with this. A high end enameled Dutch oven is a thing of beauty and a joy to use. Staub, from France, is my weapon of choice because of the brass knob which works in the oven, and the self-basting design of the lid, and the incredible good looks. The 8 quart model is a monster, but one that will serve you well. Your choice of cool color. If you cook for two regularly, get the five quart model as well. Note that there is a different brand with a white interior. The knob and lid design are inferior to the Staub. They do not compare.
On the other hand, money may be tight. The Lodge Pro 7 quart works every bit as well, albeit without the good looks for one quarter the price. It too will last for many lifetimes with only modest care.
What are you going to do with that dutch oven you got with your set? Try eBay. Once you feel how good the cast iron works for this, you’ll not go back.
Christian, i did not know their was a real Dutch oven. i always it it used for another purpose. Thanks for enlightening me. Mark
Marketingscoops
GlacierIceCream
Christian, i did not know their was a real Dutch oven. i always it it used for another purpose. Thanks for enlightening me. Mark
Marketingscoops
Thanks for the great advice again
Duane
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Christian,
Good to know what cast iron cookware is the best.
Pure Numerology points out that a strong “6″, being a family lover, would be the most likely personality to go out & buy what cookware that you recommend.
John Ho
Numerology Expert Helps Understanding Personalities for Better Influence & Persuasion (WordPress Blog)
Numerology Expert Helps Understanding Personalities for Better Influence & Persuasion (Money Page)
I absolutely love my cast iron dutch oven and use it for just about everything. It was cheap, will last forever and very versatile.
I have the 5 QT Lodge.
Steve Chambers, The Sales Expert
Sales Eagles - Sales Coaching for high flyers
Someday I will have my dream kitchen with all of the shiney tools. I will try to follow Alton’s advice though of no unitaskers.
Bob Kaufer
Z Health For Life
We have several of these enameled Dutch ovens as well as a cast iron one for camping. They are great, as is a very large stock pot for making stock..
Seize the Day,
Rob
Sales Tactics For Small Business Owners
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The dutch oven won the west. it was on every wagon headed to Oregon and every chuck wagon on the great cattle drives.
Don Shepherd
Oregon Flyfishing
Cast iron cooking is the way to go! A little harder to clean up - but nothing cooks like it especially cornbread.
Pam
Invest in Your Future
Great Minds, Great Wealth: How to Raise your Return, Reduce your Risk, Cut your Cost
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I too am a fan of stainless steel and iron for cooking. I need a dutch oven and a new iron skillet.
Anthony
Achieve the Inner Balance of a Zen Monk
I grew up on cast iron cooking. Pam reminds me of that good old cornbread.
When this course is over I will go drag out my old cst iron pot & pan.
Thanks for the Success Tips Today On Cooking!
Lynn Lane
Success Strategies For Life
Success Today
There is no shortage of kitchen gadgetry and ‘pottery’ to attract those culinary consumers.
Your advice is very useful, I know from my consumer behaviour work that many consumers buy products from an idealised perspective and then never use them. Knowing that something IS a practical tool for the kitchen is very handy.
Philip Graves
author of “The Secret of Selling: How to Sell to Your Customer’s Unconscious Mind”
My wife will be very interested in this information.
Health, Fitness — Darryl Pace
Fitness Product Review
Haha!!!
I’ve always known the “dutch oven” as something slightly different!!
Enjoyable post.
JJ Jalopy.
Coaching Business Expert JJ Jalopy
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Im learning so much!!! abot food a Dutch Oven is new to me!
Expert in Hypnosis,Success Thinking and Practical Parenting
David Power’s Hour
I didn’t know the term “dutch oven” but that’s definitely the cooking utensil of choice in many traditional French kitchens.
All the best,
Yann
How to Get Organized, Stop Procrastinating, and Set Goals for Small Business Success
I don’t really know what a dutch oven is or why you would use one. Also, I threw away all of our cast iron pans because I thought they were ugly and always looked dirty. My husband once told me something like I had to oil them after I washed them and before I put them away. That was too gross for me so I threw them out. Now I keep hearing how great they are and how much safer they are than coated pans. I can’t believe I’m considering buying them.
Lisa McLellan, Babysitting Services - Babysitters, Nannies, and Au-pairs
NOT sure how I missed this post because INDEED my sister and I LOVE our Dutch Ovens. It is particularly useful at the American holiday of Thanksgiving for making EXTRA dressing aka Stuffing. In our family, we can NEVER have too much Stuffing.
Great suggestion!
Best regards,
April Braswell
Dating Quick Start Expert, Relationship Success Coach
Divorce Support and Bereavement Support seminar, Henderson, Las Vegas
Couldn’t afford the sets when I got married and still cooking with the old Revere ware sauce pans. A dutch oven is the greatest for going from stove top to the oven.
Pat
Internet Dollars for Business Owners