I Tested the Amazon Basics Dutch Oven: Here’s What I Learned

A Dutch oven is an indispensable kitchen utensil that provides the versatility to cook many dishes in a single pot. Browning, braising, stewing, roasting, frying and baking – it depends on almost any kitchen task.

However, the price can often deter people from investing in a Dutch oven, as high cast iron comes at a cost. Enameled versions are also more expensive than “raw” cast iron, as they require additional finishing.

Despite the cost, Amazon Basics has triumphed with its economical version, which I put to the test.

Amazon Basics Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Pot: Price and Availability

With a current household of three people, I opted to try the smaller capacity pot in white. The 4.3-quart version was perfectly adequate for my needs, with room for smaller daily meals and larger cooking batches, and is available inAmazon for $47.

It is also available in two other sizes: 6 quarts ($56, Amazon) and a 7.3-quart version($67, Amazon) version. It’s worth noting that there are some slight price differences on the 7.3-quart version depending on which color you select, but they’re fairly marginal.

Although it is more expensive than a stainless steel saucepan, like the Cook N Homes 5-Quart Stainless Steel Saucepan ($29, house deposit), a Dutch oven is much more versatile and offers additional benefits. This Amazon Basic version is also much cheaper than LeCreuset and Staub, two highly acclaimed brands recognized for their Dutch ovens, with a similar 4.5-quart round oven retailing for$390 at Le Creuset.

There are cheaper alternatives, including the Lodge 4.5-Quart Dutch Cooker in Caribbean Blue, available at $69 on Amazonalthough, once again, be careful which color you select as prices vary.

Amazon Basics Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven: Design

The design of the Amazon Basic Dutch Oven is stunning and won’t look out of place if you keep it on the stove. It has an attractive steel handle that screws onto the lid and two side handles on the pot, allowing for a comfortable grip. However, heat transfers to both, so I would recommend using heat-resistant oven mitts, as grabbing a tea towel will not protect your hands from the heat.

It also has a ribbed design on part of the lid and the bottom of the pot, which adds to the aesthetics. I reviewed the white version, which is “cream”, and like the matte white and matte navy versions, the entire pot is a solid color. However, the other color options have an attractive graduated tint.

They all have a cream interior, allowing you to easily see what you’re cooking and how well it’s browning.

Amazon Basics Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven: Functionality

A Dutch oven is expected to be heavy and sturdy since it is made of cast iron, and this applies to the Amazon Basics version. I was also impressed with the quality of the enamel coating, considering the affordable price compared to high-end models. The bottom of the lid is also studded, similar to Staub’s Dutch oven, allowing condensation to drip onto the food evenly, encouraging self-basting.

The joy of using a Dutch oven is that it can be used for many cooking methods, from searing meat to baking bread.

Amazon Basics Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven: Performance

The Dutch oven has earned over 45,000 reviews on Amazon, with an overall rating of 4.7 stars, and 85% of reviewers gave a 5-star rating. It is a popular choice among many buyers. The general response is that customers like the quality, color, heat resistance and value of the Dutch oven, find it easy to clean and are happy with its performance. However, some have noticed that the enamel chips.

I’ve been using this pot for several weeks and haven’t noticed any problems with the enamel, although I’ve been careful not to use metal utensils.

I have made several dishes in the oven to see how they go. I fried onions, steamed meat, and simmered curries and chillies. I even baked a loaf of no-knead bread. It has been my favorite cooking pot and continues to be used regularly.

I found the lid was securely attached, with minimal steam escaping, and the food was moist and tender. The no-knead bread was a hit, with the steam from inside the pot forming a nice crust.

The pot also retained heat well without burning the food on the bottom and can be transferred from the stovetop directly to the oven. It’s perfect for making a casserole, allowing you to quickly sear meat on the stove before placing the pot in the oven for slow, tender cooking.

Amazon Basics Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven: Ease of Use

I found the Amazon Basics Dutch Oven easy to use. Although it is heavy, as mentioned above, it is what you would expect when using cast iron cookware.

One aspect I especially liked was the curved bottom of the pot. It made it easy to mix and stir food as nothing got caught or stuck in the corners. Although some reviews mention that this leaves less room to brown the meat, I didn’t find it a problem since the space lost is minimal.

When heating it on the stove, I found it best to preheat it with a little oil to start, since if it is empty, it can cause the pot to crack. I didn’t need to add oil when I preheated the pot before cooking the bread, as the heat was more evenly distributed.

Amazon Basics Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven: Cleaning

Although it cannot be placed in the dishwasher, the pot is easy to clean with hot soapy water. However, Amazon warns against using citrus cleaners, which can dull the glossy exterior finish of the enamel, although the pot’s cooking performance will not be affected.

The rounded base made cleaning easier as food didn’t get stuck where the base normally meets the sides. Although, to avoid having to clean burnt food, it is useful to keep the heat at a low or medium temperature; I chose a medium size burner on my gas range for the 4.3 quart oven.

Amazon Basics Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven: The Verdict

For the price, you can’t fault this budget-friendly Dutch oven. Compared to its high-end rivals, it offers a lot of clout per dollar.

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