# Dutch oven help. Need answer kinda fast **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 19, 2014, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-oven-help-need-answer-kinda-fast/707642 "2014-12-19T03:58:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2014, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-oven-help-need-answer-kinda-fast/707642/21 "2014-12-19T15:59:36Z")
Check out TJ Maxx. My local one _always_ has a pile of dutch ovens, Le Crueset and others, and they are heavily discounted. You very well might find a name brand one that is in your budget. I know I do, all the time. I now have something like 5 dutch ovens, because I keep going to TJ Maxx and am all like “OMG it’s a LE CRUESET and it’s only $95!!!” ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2014, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-oven-help-need-answer-kinda-fast/707642/22 "2014-12-19T16:08:42Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > Non-stick is ONLY for omelet pans. Stay far away for it in any other shape. Non-stick pots work very well for rice and oatmeal. Large pans work well for risotto and paella. ---
**Author:** ![PlumBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@PlumBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlumBob)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2014, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-oven-help-need-answer-kinda-fast/707642/23 "2014-12-19T16:22:51Z")
I have a Lodge and it’s held up well, good choice! ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2014, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-oven-help-need-answer-kinda-fast/707642/24 "2014-12-19T16:52:50Z")
I think the people who are dissing non-stick cookware haven’t used any since the Teflon of the 70’s. I have several Hard Anodized pots and pans that I love. There is no flaking, the heat is very even, they can go from my gas cooktop to the oven, and I can make a sauce just as easily as in a stainless pan. That said, enameled cast iron or even regular cast iron are great pots. I would second the suggestion of finding a restaurant supply store. You will be amazed at how inexpensive some really good cookware can be. ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2014, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-oven-help-need-answer-kinda-fast/707642/25 "2014-12-19T17:09:41Z")
I got [this one](http://www.walmart.com/ip/Lodge-Mfg-Co-EC6D33-Color-Enamel-Dutch-Oven-Black-6-Quart-Cast-Iron-Enamel-Coated/39185905) for $50 at Walmart several years ago and it’s a durable, long lasting workhorse. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2014, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-oven-help-need-answer-kinda-fast/707642/26 "2014-12-19T17:16:15Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > I think the people who are dissing non-stick cookware haven’t used any since the Teflon of the 70’s. I have several Hard Anodized pots and pans that I love. There is no flaking, the heat is very even, they can go from my gas cooktop to the oven, and I can make a sauce just as easily as in a stainless pan. > > That said, enameled cast iron or even regular cast iron are great pots. I would second the suggestion of finding a restaurant supply store. You will be amazed at how inexpensive some really good cookware can be. America’s Test Kitchen has given top marks to T-Fal products for several years now. They out-perform every other non-commercial pan by a large margin. I have one I use exclusively for eggs; it’s going on five years of almost daily use now without any issues. I use heavy stainless for browning meats, frying bacon, etc. I also have a few of the hard anodized pans that perform well. ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2014, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-oven-help-need-answer-kinda-fast/707642/27 "2014-12-19T17:26:30Z")
If you really want the Le Creuset, QVC has it for 6 payments of $49 with free shipping. Just another option for you. Also, Williams Sonoma has the shallower Le Creuset for $129 right now. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2014, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-oven-help-need-answer-kinda-fast/707642/28 "2014-12-19T17:29:22Z")
These guys seem to have a decent house brand at decent prices- we have the lightweight cast iron dutch oven and it’s pretty high quality. Better than the Rachael Ray (5 qt) one we got for our wedding, although not quite as good as the Le Creuset (3 qt) that my wife already owned. [http://www.surlatable.com/product/PRO-1315373/Sur+La+Table+Red+Round+Oven+7+qt](http://www.surlatable.com/product/PRO-1315373/Sur+La+Table+Red+Round+Oven+7+qt). Non-stick cookware is just fine- it works well for what it’s for, and lasts much better than the stuff from the past. However, it still will eventually wear out, even if you baby it. My recommendation is to go to your local kitchen supply store or Sam’s Club and get the restaurant quality ones. They’re high quality, but not super-expensive, so that if you use it for 5 years and it gets beat up, you don’t feel bad, like you would if you beat up a $135 All-Clad non-stick pan (what retard buys All-Clad non-stick anyway?). Here’s an example of what I’m talking about: > **[Amazon.com: Daily Chef 12" Restaurant Fry Pan: Stir Fry Pans: Home & Kitchen](https://www.amazon.com/Daily-Chef-Restaurant-Fry-Pan/dp/B0024NOY30)** > > Shop Daily Chef at the Amazon Cookware store. Free Shipping on eligible items. Everyday low prices, save up to 50%. ---
**Author:** ![huitzilopochtli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e99b99/32.png) [@huitzilopochtli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/huitzilopochtli)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2014, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-oven-help-need-answer-kinda-fast/707642/29 "2014-12-19T20:03:43Z")
I went with the lodge enameled 3 quart enameled cast iron casserole dish. Turns out she wanted a braiser too. $70. Gets good reviews. The handle isn’t Le Creuset quality but I’m happy with the purchase and I think my Aunt will be too. Thanks everyone for the advice! Can’t wait to go shopping for one for me now! Jewel grocery store is doing a quisinart promo right now and I have enough stamps to get a stainless braiser type pan. Should I bother with that as a backup? Or should I just get a sauce pan? ---
**Author:** ![turner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/22d042/32.png) [@turner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/turner)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2014, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-oven-help-need-answer-kinda-fast/707642/30 "2014-12-19T23:35:17Z")
[http://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/cookingschool/5-best-dutch-ovens-under-dollar80/ss-BBgBRfW](http://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/cookingschool/5-best-dutch-ovens-under-dollar80/ss-BBgBRfW) Pretty good article ---
**Author:** ![minlokwat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minlokwat/32/2844_2.png) [@minlokwat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minlokwat)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2014, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-oven-help-need-answer-kinda-fast/707642/31 "2014-12-20T00:31:11Z")
I’m glad this thread isn’t what I thought it was going to be about. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2014, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-oven-help-need-answer-kinda-fast/707642/32 "2014-12-20T06:53:47Z")
Glad you found one. If you ever get a non enameled cast iron, here is an awesome way to season it with really high smoking point oil and high temperature. I have always wanted a [camp dutch oven](https://www.lodgemfg.com/camp-ovens-and-grills/10-inch-4-quart-camp-dutch-oven.asp)like pioneers used or he [dutch oven with skillet cover](http://www.amazon.com/Lodge-L8DD3-Casserole-Skillet-5-Quart/dp/B000LEXR0K/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1419058320&sr=1-2&keywords=lodge+cast+iron+combo+cooker) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2014, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-oven-help-need-answer-kinda-fast/707642/33 "2014-12-20T07:03:40Z")
Cast iron is inexpensive and does the job. But if your aunt is a LOL, it might be hard to move when full because cast iron is heavy. Another option might be a large plug in slow cooker. I have a large and a small. Both are fantastic. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dutch-oven-help-need-answer-kinda-fast/707642.md?page=1)