The 10 Best Dutch Ovens
This wiki has been updated 22 times since it was first published in December of 2017. The most basic form of pan is simply a chunk of metal. Throughout history, humans have been creating increasingly advanced cooking tools, yet a thick piece of iron has remained a staple of many kitchens. So whether you're indoors or out, with a gas burner or a bag of charcoal, a cast-iron Dutch oven is a versatile and effective choice for browning, boiling, or baking all sorts of foods. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Lodge Deep
2. Lodge EC6D43
3. Lodge Double Dutch
Editor's Notes
April 07, 2020:
You'll probably notice that our top three selections all come from the same company, and that's no accident. The Lodge Deep is immensely well-known among campers and particularly Boy Scouts as one of the most versatile outdoor cooking implements around. The Lodge EC6D43, on the other hand, is an excellent choice for indoor cooking thanks to its flat bottom and nonstick enamel coating. In fact, it performs about as well as similar models that are far more expensive. The Lodge Double Dutch is another pre-seasoned that features a lid that doubles as a skillet, so you get two great cast-iron pans that can work together to cook nearly anything on a campfire or in an oven.
Speaking of campfires, the Camp Chef DO-14 is another convenient two-piece option, and unlike the Lodge Double Dutch, it has legs on the top and bottom for easier coal placement outdoors. The King Kooker CI5FGS lacks those legs, its lid isn't just a flat cast-iron pan, it also has a ridged griddle surface on the reverse side. The Stansport 16018 is similar to our top Lodge selection, although its seasoning isn't quite as good, so you'll be best served to add some yourself.
There are also some excellent high-volume models worth checking out for feeding large groups. The Camp Chef Square is another to feature a griddle-marking lid, while the King Kooker 12S is about as big as they come. The Bayou Classic 7475, meanwhile, is shaped perfectly for roasting multiple decent-size birds at once, though you'll need quite a few coals to keep it going -- we recommend charcoal briquettes for their consistency and convenience.
Finally, the Le Creuset Signature LS2501 is about as famous as a cast-iron Dutch oven can be, and although it is quite expensive, some home chefs consider it one of the finest ever made.
4. Camp Chef DO-14
5. King Kooker 12S
6. Stansport 16018
7. Le Creuset Signature LS2501
8. King Kooker CI5FGS
9. Bayou Classic 7475
10. Camp Chef Square
Building PCs, remodeling, and cooking since he was young, quasi-renowned trumpeter Christopher Thomas traveled the USA performing at and organizing shows from an early age. His work experiences led him to open a catering company, eventually becoming a sous chef in several fine LA restaurants. He enjoys all sorts of barely necessary gadgets, specialty computing, cutting-edge video games, and modern social policy. He has given talks on debunking pseudoscience, the Dunning-Kruger effect, culinary technique, and traveling. After two decades of product and market research, Chris has a keen sense of what people want to know and how to explain it clearly. He delights in parsing complex subjects for anyone who will listen -- because teaching is the best way to ensure that you understand things yourself.