Buzz
At some point, we all experience a shift: the realization that some budget-friendly alternatives are just as effective as the premium brands. It’s not about knock-offs made from inferior materials, but more about discovering that store-brand ibuprofen works just as well as Advil. That was the moment I had with my Le Creuset Dutch oven, many years ago.
One Christmas, my parents asked what I wanted. While I would never dream of asking for a $500 Le Creuset Dutch oven at full price, I stumbled upon an incredible clearance deal for a color no one seemed to want. I shared the link with them, eagerly anticipating Christmas, when I could finally join the ranks of the kitchen elite.
Leave it to my stepdad to gift me the most unexpected Dutch oven. It was blue, but didn’t carry the iconic Le Creuset embossing—there was no brand name at all, in fact. The attempt at mimicking the famous ombré effect was apparent, but it was clear they didn’t follow the link I sent. Classic. So I dragged my 16-pound cast-iron pot back to Brooklyn and shoved it into the cabinet, hoping to forget about it.
About a year later, during the depths of lockdown, I turned to my kitchen to bake an Irish soda bread. The recipe called for a Dutch oven, and I remembered the one I had. While it wasn’t a Le Creuset, I had stopped worrying about such things. I placed my carefully mixed dough into the pot and trusted the magic of baking. When the loaf came out of the cast iron pot, it was nothing short of perfect—golden brown, perfectly risen, and soft on the inside. It worked because a Dutch oven is a Dutch oven.
A Dutch oven, no matter the brand
You don’t need a Le Creuset. Truly, you don’t. If you have one, great; they are beautiful. But if your goal is just to cook and you don’t have $500 to spare, there are plenty of other high-quality, durable, and attractive alternatives available.
A Le Creuset Dutch oven, braiser, sauteuse, or any other shape they offer, is simply a piece of enameled cast iron cookware. The fact that it’s made in France is about the only distinguishing feature that sets it apart from many other high-quality enameled cast iron pieces you can get at a far more reasonable price.
One brand that stands out is Lodge. I’m a fan. My Lodge cast-iron skillet might be the most reliable piece of cookware I own. It’s made in the U.S., which helps keep the price lower, and their cast iron is incredibly durable if you care for it properly.
You don’t have to go with a Lodge Dutch oven (though its value is hard to beat). When you’re on the hunt for enameled cast iron cookware, once you’ve settled on the size and color, make sure to verify the temperature specifications. Enameled cast iron should be broiler-safe and capable of handling temperatures up to 500°F or higher without a lid. (Note that sometimes the lid handle only withstands up to 450°F or 500°F, so be sure to check the specifics.) Here are a few other options that might fit perfectly in your kitchen.
I’ve used my six-quart Dutch oven for everything from breads to stews to deep-frying oil. It’s also served as a batch cocktail drink chiller for my Christmas parties and a hiding spot for bread away from my cats. That no-name Dutch oven is a fantastic kitchen tool, and I regret ever worrying about brand names. If I had received a Le Creuset, I probably would have treated it with extra care instead of using it over and over again, just as you should with any Dutch oven. Brand name or not, a Dutch oven is an easy-to-clean, no-seasoning-required kitchen essential. It’s meant to be used.
