Having a good quality Dutch oven is now a necessity in any kitchen. Not only are Dutch ovens thicker and more durable than traditional stockpots, but also they are larger in size. Therefore, Dutch ovens can more easily retain heat and cook large amounts of meat or food. As a result, Dutch ovens are ideal for making braises, pot roasts, stews and searing food on the cook top before placing it in the oven to finish cooking. With so many Dutch ovens available for sale it can be difficult to choose the best one for your needs. Luckily, we’ve reviewed the best Dutch ovens of 2016 to help make the decision a little bit easier.

Check out the best Dutch Oven of 2016 at Amazon

Rank	#1	#2	#3	#4	#5
	Lodge Logic L8DO3	Lodge Logic L12DCO3	Le Creuset Signature	Simply Calphalon	Lodge Color EC7D33
Specifications
Size:	7-qt or 9-qt	1-qt, 4-qt, 6-qt or 8-qt	3.5-qt, 5.5-qt, 3.5-qt or 2-qt	7-qt	3-qt, 6-qt or 7.5-qt
Warranty:	lifetime	lifetime	lifetime	lifetime	lifetime
Materials:	cast iron	cast iron	cast iron	cast iron	cast iron

#5 Lodge Color EC7D33

While there is no mistaking that the beautiful blue color of the Lodge Color EC7D33 Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven will take you the white sands of the Caribbean it falls short of being a higher ranked product on our list. Priced at $72 this Dutch oven offers a large cooking area and a tight fitting lid to prevent moisture from escaping. Unfortunately, many reviewers have complained that the paint enamel has begun to chip off the pot after only a year or so of use.

#4 Simply Calphalon Nonstick 7-qt. Dutch Oven & Cover

Considered by many of our reviewers to be an average product, the Simply Calphalon Nonstick 7-qt. Dutch oven did everything pretty good, but nothing spectacular. Priced at a competitive $42.49, the Simply Calphalon offers an easy to clean and sleek looking product that should suffice for a small family. While the oven is large enough to handle almost any food product, many users have complained that the loose fitting lid allowed steam and heat to escape. Furthermore, some reviewers stated that the Dutch oven had durability issues after repeated use.

#3 Le Creuset Signature Round Wide

Manufactured by one of the most reputable and sought after brands in cooking, the Le Creuset Signature Round Wide 3-1/2-Quart Dutch Oven is ideal for the five star chef who is willing to spend a little more money to get an extremely high-quality product. Priced at $145.39 through Amazon, the Le Creuset is the Rolls Royce of Dutch ovens. Offering a built in lid to prevent heat and steam from escaping, this Dutch oven has a beautifully designed and colorful exterior that is resistant to chipping and cracking. A nifty feature on the inside is the sand-colored interior that makes it easy to monitor the cooking progress to prevent food from burning or sticking to the pot. While there is no mistaking the workmanship and quality of the Le Creuset Dutch Oven it is hard to justify the price when there are less expensive products available that often many of the same features and benefits.

#2 Lodge Logic L12DCO3

Given that Lodge Logic manufactured our number 1 ranked Dutch oven, it is no surprise that the company also produced our #2 ranked product. Slightly larger in size, the Lodge Logic L12DC03 is an 8-quart Dutch oven that shares many of the same features and benefits of the Lodge Logic L8DO3. However, one differentiation between the two Dutch ovens is that the L12DC03 is designed with integrated legs for campfire and fireplace cooking. Therefore, this Dutch oven is ideal for summer camping trips with the family or cooking for large gatherings. Available with a lifetime warranty the Lodge Logic L12D603 also doubles as a griddle because the cast-iron lid can be inverted. While it is an excellent product, this Dutch oven failed to be rated #1 for several reasons. For starters, while the price of $56 offers a lot of bang for the bunk we felt that buyers received more value from the Lodge Logic L8D03. Secondly, although this Lodge Logic uses a wire loop handle it does not have the easy to lift spring handle of its higher priced counterpart.

#1 Lodge Logic L8DO3 Pre-Seasoned Dutch Oven

As the hands-down the best Dutch oven, the Lodge Logic L8DO3 combines an excellent value at only $33.97 through Amazon with the durability and reliability of a competitor’s product costing twice as much. Manufactured from high-quality cast iron, the Lodge Logic L8D03 is designed to offer excellent heat retention and even distribution of the heat to whatever you are cooking. The specially designed seal proof lid prevents moisture from escaping to keep food from becoming dry and unappetizing. Unlike many other Dutch Ovens, the Lodge Logic is pre-seasoned with a soy-based vegetable oil. One of the best features of this Dutch oven is its specially designed coil handle that allows a person to lift the pot with ease no matter what is inside of it. Furthermore, the handle does not retain any heat so people do not have to worry about burning themselves. Available with a lifetime warranty, individuals who purchase this product can feel confident in its reliability and performance.