USA Enamel™
By: Lodge Cast Iron / May 24, 2023
Whether you’re slow-roasting dinner for a crowd or whipping up dinner for one, an enameled cast iron dutch oven is a must-have piece for any kitchen. Ready to take home a bright and colorful piece of USA Enamel™? Here are a few essential questions to ask before hitting “buy” on your new favorite piece of cookware.
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Size guide for USA Enamel Dutch Ovens
Whether you’re cooking for one or a gathering, a good rule is to prepare about a quart of food per person. The 3 and 4.5 quart sizes are great for singles and couples, while the 6 and 7.5 quart sizes are ideal for families, hosts, and meal prep.
We stand by the 6 quart as our most versatile size because it can accommodate almost any recipe. Start here if this is going to be your first or go-to dutch oven! You can always add smaller and larger sizes to your collection.
Cooking versatility of USA Enamel Dutch Ovens
You can use USA Enamel with almost any heat source, including on electric, gas, induction stovetops, and in the oven to bake, roast, and braise. Just make sure to choose the stovetop burner that’s closest to the size of your dutch oven. This will help your cookware to heat evenly and prevent hot spots during the cooking process. It’s also safe to put enameled cast iron in the fridge to marinate food or store leftovers. The enameled surface won’t rust! One place USA Enamel shouldn’t be used is over the grill or campfire. We recommend seasoned cast iron dutch ovens for outdoor cooking.
Determining the right size dutch oven
An enameled dutch oven is one of the most versatile kitchen tools you can own. Simmer, braise, roast, bake, and slow-cook—all in enameled cast iron. The 3 and 4.5 quart sizes work well for sides, sauces, and desserts. The 6 and 7.5 quart sizes are best for soups, stews, chilis, braises, and roasts. And if you’re a bread baker at heart, shoot for a mid-size dutch oven, like the 4.5 or 6 quart.
The experts have spoken
“I find that having one small and one large dutch oven comes in handy! I’ll use the small dutch oven to simmer a sauce and side, while I use the larger dutch oven to make the main. Or if I’m frying up beignets or churros for an impressive dessert course, I can fry in my large dutch oven while I use the small dutch oven to make a ganache that can be served right from the cookware."
- Kris Stubblefield, Chef
“When you bake bread, you need enough room for steam to circulate throughout the baking process. And you don’t want the loaf to hit the lid of the dutch oven as it rises. So I always reach for the 6 quart dutch oven when homemade bread is calling my name.”
-Shannon Van Dusen, Associate Product & Test Kitchen Manager
The USA Enamel™ Dutch Ovens are made to stand out with intentional, timeless design paired with incredible, oven-to-table performance.
