Stir The Pot With These 9 Best Dutch Ovens

Having trouble figuring out what’s the best way to make a hearty meal for your friends and family? Larger gatherings are now allowed with the easing of restrictions in Singapore. If you’ve gotten rusty with hosting people for meals, then Dutch ovens are the best way to go as they are great for fuss-free one-pot feasts! From stews and soups, to roast meats and bread, check out our recommendations on the best Dutch ovens in Singapore! 

What is a Dutch oven?

Dutch ovens are far from looking like your regular baking or roasting ovens. These best Dutch ovens actually resemble your traditional pots. However, they’re usually heavier, wider and shallower with a tight-fitting lid compared to regular pots. Dutch ovens are heavier as they need to maintain a consistent temperature. The tight-fitting lids also retain all the heat within the pot to maintain the temperature.

What are the different types of Dutch ovens in Singapore?

• Plain cast iron Dutch oven

Dutch ovens are typically made with cast iron as this material can help retain heat and cook foods evenly while maintaining a constant temperature. These plain cast iron Dutch ovens are relatively cheaper than the enamelled ones. However, you have to make sure to season the Dutch oven (read below) before using it as the cast iron could react with acidic ingredients like tomatoes. This will cause the plain cast iron to wear down more quickly than it should. 

• Enamel cast iron Dutch oven

Enamel cast iron Dutch ovens, also known as French ovens, have a layer of enamel to keep your cookware protected. This type of Dutch oven doesn’t require any seasoning so you can go full steam ahead with that tomato stew! Due to its glossy finish, it’s easy to wash this Dutch oven and you won’t have to worry about it rusting. But you can’t use this type of Dutch oven over the stove as the flame could cause the enamel to crack. Nevertheless, enamel cast iron Dutch ovens are available in a wide range of colours and designs so you’ll be able to get one that fits your kitchen aesthetic. 

• Stainless steel Dutch oven

Stainless steel Dutch ovens are easy to clean and maintain. They’re durable and you can use them over the stove without worrying about them cracking. The downside to this type of Dutch oven is that it usually lacks a tight-fitting lid, so it won’t be able to maintain a constant temperature as compared to the other types of Dutch ovens. 

• Ceramic Dutch oven

This type of Dutch oven is the lightest as compared to the others. Ceramic Dutch ovens are perfect for stews and baking as they can be used over the stove and in the oven. It is important to keep an eye on your ceramic Dutch ovens as it is made of stone after all, so they could crack or shatter if there’s any extreme temperature change.

Type of Dutch oven	Pros	Cons	Best for
Plain cast iron	Most durable Relatively cheaper than enamel cast iron	Need to season regularly  Heavy	All methods of cooking
Enamel cast iron	Doesn’t require regular seasoning	May crack, not as durable as plain cast iron  More expensive than plain cast iron	All methods of cooking except for use over a direct flame
Stainless steel	Easier to clean and maintain as compared to all other types  Will not crack	Lacks tight-fitting lid, thus unable to maintain constant temperature for long time	Use over direct open flame for stews and soups
Ceramic	Lightest as compared to other types of Dutch ovens Can be used over an open flame Doesn’t require regular seasoning	May shatter or crack under extreme temperature change	All methods of cooking

What is a Dutch oven good for?

The best Dutch ovens are perfect for helping you cook any type of food. From roasting a whole chicken to stirring up a pot of your favourite beef stew, these Dutch ovens will get the job done for you!  

• Soups, stews and braising

Dutch ovens are the best options when you’re thinking about stews, soups or braising any meats. They can retain heat and a constant temperature for a long time, so you won’t have to keep stirring the pot just to make sure the bottom doesn’t burn. 

How to use Dutch oven for stews, soups and braising: Brown any meat and cook the vegetables with any pan over the stove like usual. Add them and any of the remaining ingredients into the Dutch oven, leave it on the stove and let it simmer to create the perfect one-pot meal! 

• Roasts

Most Dutch ovens are large enough to fit a whole chicken. You can also line the Dutch oven with potatoes, carrots and other vegetables to roast along with the chicken. As the Dutch oven’s tight-fitted lid helps prevent any steam from escaping, you’ll end up with a rich and flavourful roast chicken that’s extremely juicy and has a crisp, crackling skin! 

How to use Dutch oven for roasts: Preheat your oven and lightly coat the bottom of the Dutch oven with a layer of oil. Season your chicken and put it in the Dutch oven to bake with the lid on. You can also wrap the entire Dutch oven with aluminium foil to trap in all the steam. Once the chicken is done roasting, drop the vegetables in and leave it in the oven for another 10 to 15 minutes, et voila – a perfect roast that’s worthy of a toast!

• Breads

Can’t seem to bake that sourdough the way your favourite bakery does it? You’re probably lacking a Dutch oven! This cookware helps to  simulate the conditions bakeries have. Dutch ovens keep baking temperatures constant and seal all the heat in so your baked goods will still have that moist texture. The best Dutch ovens also help keep any unwanted moisture out, so your bread will be able to rise and develop that beautiful golden brown crust.

How to use Dutch ovens for baking: Find your favourite bread recipe and follow it accordingly for your dough. Preheat the oven with the Dutch oven inside. When you’re done with proofing the dough, plop it into the Dutch oven and let it bake with the lid on. To prevent the bottom of your bread from burning, scatter some flour into the Dutch oven or simply reduce the preheating temperature. 

How do you season a Dutch oven?

Plain cast iron Dutch ovens need to be seasoned before you first use them. The seasoning process will help create a non-stick layer for your Dutch ovens and also help prevent any rusting. All you’ll need is some vegetable oil or lard. Other oils won’t work for seasoning your Dutch oven as they’ll burn off when you’re cooking food. You’ll also need some paper towels or non-abrasive cloth to apply the oil evenly. 

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 to 400 degrees.
Step 2: Wash the Dutch oven and scrub it with a brush. Make sure it’s completely dry after washing.
Step 3: Use a non-abrasive cloth or paper towels to apply the oil evenly on both the Dutch oven’s pot and lid.
Step 4: Place the Dutch oven pot and the lid in your oven and let it bake at the same temperature for about an hour.
Step 5: Turn off the oven and let the Dutch oven pot and lid cool for about 30 minutes before using it. Your Dutch oven pot and lid should look shiny thanks to the oil. Repeat this process if you notice any dull spots.

How often do you season a Dutch oven?

You don’t have to season the Dutch oven regularly if you cook with it often. The Dutch oven is seasoned naturally whenever you cook in it with cooking oil. However, it’s time to season your cast iron Dutch oven again when it’s sticky to touch. When that happens, follow the process above to reseason your Dutch oven. 

Best plain cast iron Dutch ovens in Singapore

1. Westinghouse Cast Iron Dutch Oven

Most plain cast iron Dutch ovens require seasoning before you can use them, but the Westinghouse Cast Iron Dutch Oven (available on Casa Official Store) comes pre-seasoned. This means that you won’t have to worry about your acidic ingredients damaging this best Dutch oven in Singapore. The Westinghouse Cast Iron Dutch Oven also comes with a lid that can be used as a skillet pan to grill your meat and vegetables before you pop the entire cookware into the oven for a roast! 

2. Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Oven

The Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Oven (available on Outdoor and Camping Equipment) is the perfect cookware to prepare sauces and side dishes. Plain cast iron Dutch ovens are heavy, so this best Dutch oven comes in a more petite size that makes preparing food easier! This Dutch oven is already pre-seasoned, so you go straight into cooking up a feast without worrying about any damage. The Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Oven is also how you can get the moistest roasts! This is thanks to the self-basting ridges on the lid that prevents steam from escaping. The steam will condense to become water droplets that’ll roll down into your food, thus retaining all that juicy flavour too!

Best enamel cast iron Dutch ovens in Singapore

3. Le Creuset Signature Round French Oven

The best Dutch ovens in Singapore are those from Le Creuset. Just like the Le Creuset Signature Round French Oven (available on Le Creuset Official Store), most of the brand’s products are handmade in France and inspected rigorously before it reaches our hands. You don’t have to fret about the enamel cracking too quickly on Le Creuset’s French ovens as they’re made with an acid-resistant material. Not only are Le Creuset’s French ovens more durable, but they also won’t retain any odours from your previous meals! 

4. Buydeem Enamel Cast Iron Dutch Oven

Worried about the stew overflowing from your Dutch oven? The Buydeem Enamel Cast Iron Dutch Oven (available on Buydeem Official Store) is the best in Singapore as it has a seal that makes sure all the contents stay in the pot. Thanks to its heavy and tight-fitting lid, this best Dutch oven in Singapore has been designed to trap steam so that it condenses and falls back into the pot. Buydeem has also ensured that the enamel coating on this best Dutch oven in Singapore is long-lasting. With three layers of enamel coating, you can rest assured that this is one Dutch oven to last a lifetime!

5. Cooker King Enamel Dutch Oven

Pretty, durable and scratch-resistant? Sign us up! The Cooker King Enamel Dutch Oven (available on Cooker King Official Store) checks all the right boxes with an enamel coating that will not damage easily. What’s even better is how this best Dutch oven in Singapore has an inner enamel coating that absorbs excess oil to form a non-stick layer. The more you use this Cooker King Dutch oven, the better its non-stick properties!

Best stainless steel Dutch ovens in Singapore

6. SCANPAN Impact Dutch Oven

Mess-free pouring? Yes, please! The SCANPAN Impact Dutch Oven (available on SCANPAN Singapore Official Store) specially designed edges allow you to pour that delicious stew from any angle. And the best part is that there won’t be any dripping messes that you have to clean up! This SCANPAN Dutch oven has also been reinforced with an aluminium base, which is a better conductor of heat, so it ensures that the contents are being cooked evenly. Not all Dutch ovens are made equal and the SCANPAN Impact Dutch Oven proves that with the transparent lid. You’ll be able to see what’s going on in this best Dutch oven in Singapore and make adjustments to your food when you see fit!

7. Brund Dutch Oven

The Brund Dutch Oven (available on Brund by SCANPAN Official Store) is the best stainless steel option in Singapore thanks to its dishwasher-friendly properties. Made with stainless steel that’s extremely high quality and durable, this best Dutch oven in Singapore helps make cleaning the kitchen mess a whole lot easier. This Brund Dutch Oven also has measurement lines on the inside, taking the idea of one-pot meals to the next level. You don’t have to fish out other spoons or bowls for that precise measurement of ingredients with this best Dutch oven in Singapore! 

Best ceramic Dutch ovens in Singapore

8. ZPLUS Ceramic Enamel Dutch Oven

The ZPLUS Ceramic Enamel Dutch Oven (available on Z+ Online Store (ongzy.30)) is the best option in Singapore if you’re looking for something lightweight. This ZPLUS Dutch oven consists of three different layers – an aluminium layer that’s sandwiched between an external enamel coating and an internal ceramic layer. These different layers help make sure this ceramic Dutch oven won’t crack or shatter too easily. If you’re new to ceramic Dutch ovens and wondering how to use them, just remember to pour in some cooking oil and let it preheat for about two to three minutes. This will help create a non-stick layer that’ll make cleaning up easier afterwards! 

9. Yoshikawa Ceramic Dutch Oven

Preparing nutritious meals to lead a healthy lifestyle isn’t easy. Especially when you’re trying to cut back on cooking oil. The Yoshikawa Ceramic Dutch Oven (available on wiratarahousewares.sg) is made with a non-stick ceramic material that allows you to stir fry food without needing any oil! You can leave this best Dutch oven in Singapore over the stove without having to worry about cracking thanks to its marble layer. The marble keeps the internal ceramic layer protected as it ensures the Dutch oven is heated evenly. Your Yoshikawa Ceramic Dutch Oven won’t experience a sudden temperature change, thus preventing the likelihood of cracking!

Stir the pot with the best Dutch ovens in Singapore

Whether you’re cooking stews or roasting whole chickens, we hope you’ve found the best Dutch oven in Singapore that’s perfect for you! Need more kitchen appliances for your next feast with family and friends? Get some of the best rice cookers that’ll steam rice to perfection. If you can’t finish all that goodness from the feast, store your leftovers in the best refrigerators in Singapore and reheat them with the best microwave ovens!