Soups, braised meat, and stews are foods that are liked by many, and to cook these foods perfectly maintaining their taste and nutritional value, the first cookware that naturally will pop up in anyone’s mind is a Dutch oven.
However, while contemplating buying a Dutch oven the high price may leave you startled. Thence, in such a situation perhaps will make you ask a question that why are Dutch ovens so expensive.
So, let’s find out the rationales that make Dutch ovens so costly.
Why Are Dutch Ovens So Expensive?
Dutch ovens are so expensive because a huge amount of high-quality cast iron is used for making these cooking pots. Besides, craftsmanship to make Dutch ovens mechanically strong and top-notch quality of enamel coating to increase the durability are the other reasons that make Dutch ovens expensive.
Since there are some obvious reasons that make Dutch ovens so expensive, here further detailed explanations over the reasons have been provided below for your better understanding.
Material:
The material used for making Dutch ovens are the first and main reason behind Dutch ovens being is so expensive even though they are just cooking pots.
Any conventional Dutch oven is made out of cast iron. And cast iron is naturally a brittle metal, therefore, high-quality thick cast iron with a melting point of 1,535° C is highly required for making Dutch ovens.
So that the material can endure high heat during being heated and the cooking pot achieves strength. And such a thick cast iron with a high melting point is very costly which increases the price of Dutch ovens.
Enamel Coating:
Dutch ovens are coated in various coatings these days but enamel coating is the coating that makes a Dutch oven expensive.
The top-notch quality enamel coating makes a cast iron made Dutch ovens non-stick, fashionable, and easy to care for. Therefore, manufacturers invest quite a lot to give their produced Dutch ovens high-quality enamel furnish which makes Dutch ovens costly.
Durability:
Dutch ovens are heavier and durable than any stainless steel-made cooking pot, their durability is a major reason why they are expensive.
The walls and bases of Dutch ovens need to be thick enough so that they can tolerate high heat for quite a lot of years. Therefore, a large amount of material and efforts of craftsmen are needed to create this durability that makes Dutch ovens expensive.
Brand:
The name and reputation of a brand is always the main reason that makes Dutch ovens pricier. Because a reputable brand uses high-quality material and expert workers to produce Dutch ovens to maintain the quality and brand name.
So, it’s expected that branded Dutch ovens will be expensive.
Craftsmanship:
To provide Dutch ovens with the mechanical strength these cooking pots needs, the manufacturers hire the best craftsmen who skillfully create every piece of Dutch ovens. And these craftsmen need a handsome remuneration for their hard work.
So, to get the minimum labor cost out of their Dutch oven sales, the price of Dutch ovens increases.
How Much Is A Dutch Oven?
As there are different brands of Dutch ovens, so the average price range of the most popular brands is shortly explained below.
Le Creuset:
The famous Le Creuset enameled cast-iron Dutch ovens costs between a range about $100-$500+ on average. The price range varies depending on the size of the Dutch ovens.
Enamel:
Any enamel-coated non-branded Dutch oven will cost around $50-$500 & the price of branded enamel-coated Dutch ovens starts from $100 and goes as high as $600 or more depending on the size.
Lodge:
The price range of Lodge cast iron-made Dutch ovens ranges between $30-$100 on average. In comparison to other brands, Lodge cast iron-made Dutch ovens are relatively much cheaper.
Martha Stewart:
Dutch oven line under the brand name Martha Stewart is by Macy’s and the cost of a Martha Stewart Dutch oven is $100 on average. Prices may vary from size to size.
Pioneer Woman:
The Pioneer Woman Dutch oven line is one of the inexpensive among all reasonable Dutch ovens. The price of a steel-made Dutch oven line just starts from $20 and goes up a little higher. And cast iron-made Dutch ovens are $50 on average.
Tramontina:
The Tramontina enameled cast iron made round Dutch ovens have an average price range between $70-$90. And cast iron-made oval-shaped Dutch ovens cost $130 on average. Tramontina stainless steel Dutch ovens are about $100 on average.
Calphalon:
Dutch ovens from the brand Calphalon have a medium price range of about as little as $25 to high as $125 or above depending on the size and material.
Chrissy Teigen:
Cravings by Chrissy Teigen enameled cast iron Dutch ovens have a price range between $50-$65 on average. Price may differ a little if the cooking pot is bigger.
Kitchenaid:
The average price of the Kitchenaid stainless steel Dutch oven is just $60 per 4-Quart cooking pot with a lid.
Paula Deen:
Enamel-coated and cast iron-made Dutch ovens produced by the Paula Deen store also come with an average price of about $60. This Dutch oven can be used in an oven.
Wolfgang Puck:
The Wolfgang Puck Dutch ovens come with a price range of $80 on average. Sometimes the price can be higher or lower depending on various sizes.
Tasty:
Tasty Dutch ovens are non-stick Dutch ovens. And these Dutch ovens cost about $20-$32 on average.
Staub:
Staub Dutch oven line is another expensive Dutch oven line. The price of these Dutch ovens ranges between $165-$400. The price can go higher as well if the size is bigger.
All-Clad:
All-clad stainless steel Dutch ovens are also quite pricey though they are stainless steel cooking pots. The price of these Dutch ovens is between $150-$520 on average. Both electronic and stovetop versions of All-Clad Dutch ovens are available.
What Are The Different Kinds Of Dutch Ovens? How Much Do They Cost?
On basis of the usage at different spots, two types of Dutch ovens are seen.
One is indoor Dutch ovens and the other one is outdoor Dutch ovens. Outdoor/camping Dutch ovens have an average cost of about $100 and indoor Dutch ovens have a price range between $100-$500+.
Depending on the materials, there are 5 types of Dutch ovens and these are cast iron, stainless steel, enameled cast iron, ceramic, cast aluminum. Regardless of material, these Dutch ovens are found in a price range ranging between $60-$500+. Sometimes the price can be lower too.
Why Are Dutch Ovens So Special?
Dutch ovens are not any typical cooking pot, they are quite special. And here the reasons are deciphered to clarify why Dutch ovens are considered special cookware.
A Versatile Cookware:
The versatility of Dutch ovens is the leading cause that proves Dutch ovens as special cookware. A Dutch oven comes with multiple cooking options instead of just one or two.
It can be used like any typical cooking pot, an instant cooker, a baking tool, a pan, and a slow pot, and it will cook any food with the same effectiveness as any of this mentioned individual cookware.
So, one can simply cook braised meat items, bake bread, roast veggies and meats, can make soup and stewed foods, and can deep fry just using one single Dutch oven.
Even-Heat Distribution:
Dutch ovens evenly distribute heat from all sides just like any conventional oven and it’s the second reason that makes Dutch ovens so special among people.
The thick walls of a Dutch oven evenly emit and reproduce heat from every side of the cooking pot. And its tightly fitted lid also helps to distribute heat evenly by trapping heat inside the cooking pot. Therefore, food cooks perfectly.
Eligible To Be Used On Oven And Stovetop:
A Dutch oven cooking pot comes with the capability of being used on a stovetop and in a conventional oven. This means one can use it as a general cooking pot on the stovetop and a baking pot in an oven without any complications.
Lasts For ALong Time:
The durability of Dutch ovens is commendable. It is worth every penny spent on purchasing a Dutch oven. It’s seen that a cast iron-made Dutch oven has lasted for more like 50-75 years without getting rust on it.
These days, Dutch ovens are also being made of different other materials like ceramic and aluminum which are also quite durable and lasts a long time if taken care of well.
Are Dutch Ovens Worth It?
A Dutch oven really does worth every penny spent on it because purchasing an expensive Dutch oven is more like an investment that would pay you off over years.
It’s because Dutch ovens not only work as multifunctional and versatile cooking pots but also they last for prolonged times that one Dutch oven can be used generation after generation.
Do I Really Need A Dutch Oven?
It’s not mandatory to have a Dutch oven but it’s considered a wise decision to purchase at least one Dutch oven for your home. So in that sense, you need a Dutch oven.
A Dutch oven will offer you multi-cooking functionality and the facility to use this one cooking pot to cook various delicious food items both indoor and outdoor. Also, it will save your time and energy washing so many pots and dishes after cooking.
Final Thoughts:
The material used for making Dutch ovens makes them expensive despite being a cooking pot. Except for the material, factors like the quality of coating, high durability, and mechanical strength make Dutch ovens expensive. Not to mention, the veracity, brand, and size also make Dutch ovens costly.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can Dutch Ovens Go in the Oven?
Are Dutch Ovens Dishwashers Safe?
Can Dutch Ovens Go in the Fridge?
How Much Do Dutch Ovens Weigh?