What is dutch oven? Dutch ovens are an essential kitchen tool.
They are used to cook meat, fish, and vegetables in the oven…
…and can be used as a pot for soup or stew. But there is so much more…
….to them than that! Let’s explore what dutch oven…
….is all about by reading this article until end.
A Dutch oven is a thick-walled cooking pot with a tight-fitting lid. Dutch ovens are usually made of seasoned cast iron; however, some Dutch ovens are instead made of cast aluminium, or ceramic.”
Wikipedia.org
Here’s the main part…
What Is Dutch Oven?
A Dutch oven is a type of oven that is used for cooking. It is typically a large…
….deep pot with a tight-fitting lid. The pot is typically made of cast iron…
….or some other type of metal. The pots can be stovetop top cookers…
…electric and gas ranges. They are usually very heavy…
….when full so they need to be placed on something sturdy…
….like the floor or counter top. In here, we have story from Karina…
….about her experience using dutch oven.
A Dutch oven is a heavy-duty pot with lid designed for browning meat and veggies and then simmering on the stovetop or braising in the oven.”
Nicole Papantoniou, author from goodhousekeeping.com
Let us hear Karina’s story
I really love cooking! Especially when it goes to roasting. But I really don’t know…
….at the first time what to use as my kitchen appliance, and then my friend…
…..suggest me to have a dutch oven. At the fist time, Im so skeptical about this.
But I research it on my self and figure it out that dutch oven can do a lot of things!
Finally I decided to bought it and after 3 days, my dutch oven now is here. Now…
….I’m really enjoying myself by doing this kind of cooking. Of course…
….not only for roasting but also baking. And because all these are easy to do…
….I can try out new things! It’s really a good kitchen appliance to invest.
From the story above, we can see that having a dutch oven…
…..really boosting up the your cooking! So, why don’t you have it too?
In this blog, we also have best dutch ovens on amazon…
….that might help you to choose the suits one for you.
Keep reading…
How Do I Choose My Dutch Oven?
You want to make sure it has wide sides and high sides. This makes it easy…
….to get into corners or around walls. You also want a tight fitting lid…
….to keep heat inside as well as out. A tight fitting lid helps…
….prevent too much steam from escaping which would otherwise…
…..affect the flavor of food. Here are what to consider when buying Dutch oven:
- The material of the pot. Cast iron is one of the best materials because it conducts heat evenly and keeps food warm longer. Aluminum pans tend to crack over time making them less durable. Copper pots hold heat well but can transfer flavors. Glass pots are not recommended since they have weak spots that could break causing you to lose all your ingredients. Stainless steel pots are inexpensive but don’t conduct heat as well as cast iron or aluminum. Ceramic pots are more expensive than stainless steel but they won’t react with acidic foods such as tomatoes or citrus fruits. Wood/wood composite are excellent non-stick pans. They are lightweight and most only cost $20-$30 dollars. If you plan on doing lots of camping or fishing often then look at a camp cookware set that includes a Dutch oven, skillet, stockpot, and ladle.
- Size. There are several sizes of Dutch ovens ranging from 1 gallon (3.8 liters) up to 8 gallons (29.6 liters). Usually you’ll see a 4 quart size Dutch oven. The larger ones tend to be more expensive.
- Capacity. Some Dutch ovens offer a variety of capacities while others just have a single capacity. For example, there are 10 quart sized Dutch ovens available while others have only a 2 quart capacity.
- Lid. Look at the lid. Many lids are removable so if you ever want to replace the lid you can. Some even come with handles so you can place it directly onto the stove. However, unless you’re planning on using a ceramic or glass pot, you may want to purchase an extra lid.
- Lid Stands or Skillet Stand. You should always have a pot stand or a skillet stand. These help keep the vessel off the ground and allow for taller items to fit easily inside.
Go on…
What Are The Different Types of Dutch Ovens?
Dutch ovens are a type of cooking pot with a heavy lid and a long handle.
They are typically used for cooking stews, soups, and other dishes. Dutch ovens…
….come in a variety of sizes, from small to large. They also come…
….in various materials, such as cast iron, aluminum, stainless steel..
…and enameled or porcelain coated cast iron. Here are the breakdown of it:
Types of Dutch Ovens
- Dutch ovens come in different shapes and sizes depending on what you need it for. Here we’ll discuss some of the different types of Dutch ovens available:
- Round Bottom Dutch Oven – Round bottom Dutch ovens are traditional and are still very popular. They’re ideal for baking cakes, pies, cookies, and bread. The round bottoms make them easy to move around when transferring items from one pan to another.
- Square Bottom Dutch Oven – Square bottom Dutch ovens offer space saving features. This type of Dutch oven has four sides along with a square bottom. This allows you to transfer foods easily from one side to another. A downside to a square bottom is that you lose some of the capacity since there are fewer sides.
Material Of Dutch Oven
- Cast Iron – Heavy and durable. Cast iron retains heat better than any other material. Cast iron is best suited for high heat cooking such as baking, roasting, searing, broiling, or sautéing. Cast iron is heavy, making it easier to carry, but this may not work for everyone because it’s heavier then your average pot.
- Aluminum – Lightweight and affordable. Aluminum is good at retaining heat and releasing it quickly. Aluminium does have its limitations though. It doesn’t retain heat as well as cast iron, and it tends to conduct heat faster than cast iron. Also aluminium conducts heat differently based on where it’s heated. If left uncoated (not anodized) aluminium will tend to sweat, but if properly anodized the surface will not sweat.
- Stainless Steel – Super light weight and strong. Stainless steel is great for low heat cooking like poaching, boiling, steaming, simmering, slow cooker cooking, or braising. However, stainless steel isn’t recommended for searing because it won’t maintain temperature as well as cast iron or aluminum. Because it is extremely strong, it’s perfect for professional chefs who often use them for cutting boards, spatulas, ladles, tongs, etc.
- Enameled Cast Iron – Enameled cast iron is similar to regular cast iron in most ways except it contains a special coating that protects against rust and gives it an attractive glaze finish. Most people prefer enameled cast iron over plain cast iron.
- Porcelain Coated Cast Iron – Porcelain coated cast iron is coated with a thin layer of porcelain rather than an actual ceramic coating. While not technically “enamel”, this process creates a more durable and highly resistant surface. Porcelain coatings are hard enough to withstand extreme temperatures without cracking or chipping. In addition, porcelain coated cast irons tend to hold up better after repeated heating cycles.
Keep it up…
History of Using Dutch Oven
Historically, Dutch ovens have been used for cooking in fireplaces. In fact…
…..early Dutch ovens weren’t even made from metal. Dutch ovens…
….were actually metal bowls with lids and wooden handles. The first true pots…
…to be called “Dutch ovens” were made out of cast iron and sold..
….by Sears Roebuck Company starting in 1877.
The first recipes for cooking foods in a dutch oven were published…
…in two books titled The American Frugal Housewife, by Mrs. Safford…
….and Home Cookery Made Easy, by Mary Randolph. Both of these cookbooks…
…came out in 1847. Dutch ovens were originally named…
….because they had a round bottom…
…so you could bake bread in the middle. These original Dutch ovens…
….were all made of wood. Later on, cast iron was added…
….to create sturdy containers that could take the rigors of cooking.
Around 1850 the design became standardized.
Go on…
What Are Some Things To Know Before Using a Dutch Oven?
It’s best to start off slowly by sautéing some onions, peppers..
…or garlic first then add meat and other ingredients. You don’t want…
…..to rush anything because that could cause the food to burn. It is ok..
….if there is liquid left over after you are done cooking. Just cover up…
….any area where the moisture may not drain away..
…and leave them alone until needed.
Where should I store my Dutch oven?
It really doesn’t matter where you put it as long as its clean and dry. Most experts…
….recommend storing your Dutch oven in an airtight container…
….such as a plastic baggie. Also, avoid keeping your Dutch oven…
…near heating appliances such as stoves or fireplaces.
These types of temperatures can damage the seasoning on the exterior…
….of the Dutch oven and even melt the lids. Some people say….
…to just use your Dutch oven right away while others say..
….to let it sit for 20 minutes or so to warm up. Use common sense…
….when deciding what works best for you.
Keep going…
How Do I Season My Dutch Oven?
To season your Dutch oven, start by washing the inside thoroughly…
….with soap and water. Then wipe down the outside with a damp cloth.
Apply a good amount of oil and rub in circular motions with your fingers. Do this..
…..until the entire interior is covered. Allow the pan to cool completely…
….before placing in storage. If desired, apply another coat of oil once per year.
Can I Reuse My Dutch Oven?
Yes, you can! Many companies sell reusable crocks…
….that fit inside your Dutch oven. They are available at hardware stores…
….and home improvement centers. Follow the instructions carefully…
….to ensure proper care and cleaning. If you need to wash it again…
….follow the same steps above but only fill half way with water…
….and add dish soap. Don’t forget to rinse well afterwards. This will help..
….remove any leftover soap residue.
Last but not least…
Do I Need a Special Utensil To Cook In My Dutch Oven?
No, just use the same utensils you would normally use to cook..
….in a regular skillet. However, some recipes call for specific tools to be used.
For instance, French Onion Soup calls for you to chop your onions…
….with a knife held parallel to the cutting board. To make sure…
….you get every last bit of onion, try holding onto the side of the board.
Another example is baking in a Dutch oven requires extra precautions…
….when preparing dough. Recipes like cinnamon rolls often…
….tell you to pat out the dough with your hands. In order to prevent sticking…
….flip the dough upside down when transferring it to the pan.
Sum Up
Dutch oven is a very useful cooking vessel. It can be used for baking…
….roasting, and boiling. The shape of the dutch oven allows you to cook…
….a variety of foods in it. The dutch oven is made of cast iron…
…and has an enameled interior. It is designed to conduct heat well…
…and retain heat well. It comes in many sizes, and can be used…
….on the stovetop or in the oven. It can also be used on a grill or indoors.
It is versatile enough to work for almost any type of recipe.
Conclusion
To conclude, Dutch ovens are the best way to cook your food. They allow you…
….to slow-cook your food and maintain the flavors, while at the same time…
….they allow you to sear your food without burning it. Dutch ovens…
….are perfect for everything from roasts to stews, soups and more.
This is a classic piece of cookware that you can use for years and years.
That’s all for now, do you have any question about what is dutch oven?
Just drop it in the comment section below, thanks for reading!
Cao! See you in another time
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