Additionally, the test kitchen also recommends the Tramontina 6.5 Quart Cast Iron as its “Best Buy” pick. At under $50, this oven, crafted from enameled cast iron, is hard to beat. It passed all our kitchen tests with flying colors.
Want more details? View the full report of our Dutch oven testing.
About the Author: America's Test Kitchen
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You convinced me! I finally made the purchase in December ( a holiday present to myself ) and have used my Le Creuset 9 1/2 Quart Oval French Oven for deep-frying chicken (great recipe in the Cooks Illustrated Cook Book, braising a chuck roast, roasting a chicken, and cooking a great stew. It really does make a difference in the flavors–far richer and complex!
I forget exactly why I felt I needed to buy an enameled Lodge Logic last summer but it quickly became my “go to” cooking pot. It’s such a versatile product that nobody should be without!
I saw the show on TV a year or two ago and quickly ordered my 6.5 quart Tramontina from Walmart (online). It was slightly over $50, after taxes and the cost of shipping, due to its weight. BUT I LOVE IT!
I love America’s Test Kitchen! You guys are the BEST!
I think retailers (or tramontina) have caught on to the rising popularity of their dutch ovens. I can’t find one in stores for under $60 or $70. Glad I got mine when they were still $40.
I “store” mine on the stovetop, because I use it 5 or 6 days a week. Once I had one, I couldn’t imagine cooking without it.
I also store mine on the stovetop. It’s a beautiful yellow Le Creuset. It is probably the least expensive kitchen item I own, based on its $-per-use. Totally worth it!!!
I made an investment in a Le Creuset set (2 round, 1 oval, baking dish, and skillet) a little over a year ago and then started worrying (as I waited for them to be delivered) will I really get a return on this investment? Flash forward a year, just the other night as I was washing dishes I thought, “I don’t know what I’d do without these…” They are by far one of my best kitchen investments…in a close tie with my Kitchen Aid Stand mixer!
Question – could someone tell me which All Clad dutch oven is being recommended? Based upon the picture/video, it seems to be either the All Clad standard stainless steel 8 quart stockpot (which retails for over $300!) OR their Master Chef II series stockpot (which has a brushed exterior) and seems to fit the price point of ~$269 which I have seen listed in the printed review in my old season 8 cookbook. Thanks for your help!
Hi AEMama, the Test Kitchen pick for best lighter choice for Dutch ovens is the All-Clad Stainless 8-Quart Stockpot. The price may have fluctuated since our original publication of the testing in 2007.
My sister bought me the Best Buy Tramontina. It appears one of our sources for it are discontinuing sales (walmart.com) and replacing with a 6 quart model. Love your shows and very, very happy with your reviews!