Dutch oven - what size? (moved from L.A. board)
About to invest in my first Le Creuset dutch oven (round) and can't decide which size to get. In the short term I'm looking to make soups, stews and Ina Garten's "easy risotto" made in the oven. Some day I might make a big piece of meat for a family dinner. Would love any advice!
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It depends on your cooking needs. I find my 7 1/4 quart round to be my most used oven. I use it for chili, gumbo, goulash, soups, baked beans ect. I think it's too big for risotto though, unless you are making a lot of servings. Otherwise, it doesn't need to be full, and I like having plenty of room for stirring without danger of splashing over the side.
I also have the 6 3/4 qt oval, the 3 1/2 qt wide oval and I think it's a 4 qt round, the 4 qt I basically gave to my husband for the bbq lol.
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Chemicalkinetics
Jan 8, 2012 02:59 PM
it depends how much you want to cook. Most people find 4 quarts - 6 quarts as the most useful size. Size below 4 quart is more gear toward individual meal. Size above 6 quarts get to be too big and too cumbersome for many.
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re: Chemicalkinetics
Shortly before Thanksgiving I decided to purchase my first LC piece. I wanted something that was big enough to cook a dish on Sunday and have enough leftovers for several more meals during the week. While shopping at the LC store I decided on a 7.25 qt. round. When I got it home and set it on the stove in my very modest kitchen I realized it was just too large. So I took it back and exchanged it for the 5.5 qt. model.
I have used it to make several meals so far and find the 5.5 qt. size to be perfect for me. Plenty big enough to make large meals but not so large as to be hard to handle or store. It didn't take long to become my favorite piece of cookware. I love it!
If you happen to be close to one of the LC outlet stores I would recommend checking them out. I have one fairly close to me and found the selection to be excellent. They are always having a sale on top of their already discounted prices. The 5.5 qt. should run about 25% below the $200 Amazon price mentioned above. They were very good about helping me look at the pieces and find one without any visible defects. I have looked closely at mine and can find nothing wrong with it. No chips, nice smooth enamel cooking surface, lid fits well and the exterior finish is perfect.
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atg106
Sep 3, 2011 04:35 AM
For the dishes you mentioned, the 5-1/2 round is perfect for soups, simple beef stews, and risottos. At times, I am conflicted about doing risottos in enamel cookware as it is not as easy to control the heat if you're adding cream or milk for the last step of your risotto, but that's for another thread.
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tanuki soup
Sep 2, 2011 11:20 PM
The 5 1/2 quart seems to be the most popular size by far. Large enough to feed six hungry people, but not so big and heavy as to make it a pain to use, clean, and store. IME, most recipes that call for the use of a dutch oven will fit nicely in the 5 1/2 quart size.
It's on sale at Amazon (for 3 cents less than $200, and in the red color orythedog prefers, too):
http://www.amazon.com/Creuset-Enamele...
PS. I'd also suggest you pick up a Le Creuset stainless steel replacement knob for worry-free use in the oven. They are also available from Amazon for $12.
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Delucacheesemonger
Sep 2, 2011 07:47 PM
Have a few round ones, but what l go to is my Le Creuset Doufeu, that is the one with a deep depression in top where you fill with ice cubes for long cooking. Even after 3-4 hours does not need refilling and everything is perfectly moist inside. My recommendation is for the large oval one, you can always only have 1/2 full if need be, but if you get small one and decide to make a lot of something, you are SOL.
