What Is A Dutch Oven Used For? – An All-Around Cooking Ware
From baking your favorite bread to cooking braised meat, a Dutch oven seems to be the perfect cooking ware for this job. However, a Dutch oven is often confused with every other oven that is available on the market. If you wonder what a Dutch oven is used for and how it differs from the others, you have come to the right place.
In this article, you will learn everything about Dutch ovens, which have become increasingly popular among this generation due to their versatility and how they become cheaper alternatives to your traditional ovens. To know more about what is a Dutch oven used for, read further down below.
What Is a Dutch Oven?
Dutch ovens are used for over a hundred years. They have different names from different cultures. A Dutch oven is a basic cooking tool specially designed to stand to have a foot below it to stand on burning wood, hot coals, or ashes. At one point in time, their lids are designed in a concave pattern to provide a safe place for coals to be put on and give heat coming from the top.
What Is a Dutch Oven Used For?
In recent years, the modern-day Dutch oven design can be used with your regular stovetop or use in the oven like your typical baking dish. The Dutch oven's heavy gauge metal construction makes it versatile enough to withstand any extremely hot temperatures. Simply put, you can do everything with a Dutch Oven. If you want to know what is a Dutch oven used for, here’s the list below:
Frying
Thanks to their build construction, a Dutch oven can be a good and viable frying option. Dutch ovens are tested and proven to evenly heat your oil and allow you to cook your favorite dish at a controlled temperature. However, please note that enameled-made Dutch ovens aren’t good at dealing with extremely high temperatures.
Roasting
This is by far the most popular use of the Dutch oven. Dutch ovens are great at conducting heat and evenly transferring heat inside when used inside an oven. The Dutch oven's ability to hold extremely high temperatures means it uses lesser energy for dishes that require slow and long cooking schemes.
A Dutch oven's lid is ovenproof that helps retain moisture, and avoids drying the dish for long cooking methods. They are one of the best options when slow roasting different types of meats and vegetables.
Stews and Soups
Their sheer size, construction, depth, and shape are perfectly fine for making stews and soups. Their construction containing heavy gauge metal and other ceramic products heats the pot easily. It also helps keep dishes warmer for extended stretches.
Casseroles
Their overall construction makes them an ideal choice for using the stovetop down to a traditional oven, making them one of the best alternative options for casseroles. You can use the Dutch oven at the stovetop to sautéed meats and different ingredients, and at the same time, you can assemble your casserole dish and be baked in the same pot.
Baking
Dutch ovens are used widely for baking different kinds of goodies. The evenly-dissipated heat transferred inside works similarly to a pizza oven or a stone hearth. Furthermore, the ovenproof lids allow retaining moisture and steam, often needed to create a crispy crust.
Chicken Poaching
If you are looking for a sumptuous chicken meal that is moisture-filled and tender, then the Dutch oven has you covered. Due to its ability to maintain the heat and moisture, they make the best-poached chicken.
Varieties of Dutch Oven
Modern varieties of a Dutch oven can be divided into two groupings, the Enameled Dutch Oven and the Bare-cast Dutch oven. Each one has its pros and cons that need to be considered and the right use. Here are some Dutch oven varieties to let you know what is a Dutch oven used for.
Enameled
This type of Dutch oven has a metal or ceramic core. Ceramic made Dutch ovens conduct heat significantly well, and they are often used for making Dutch ovens. Although they may sound like they need special care, they do not require any special cleaning regimen, a perfect attribute who wants convenience within their cooking wares.
Although enamel is known to be quite durable, they aren’t ideal when cooking or baking in extremely high temperatures. But thanks to technology, some enameled Dutch ovens can withstand high temperatures compared to other enameled Dutch ovens. Just be sure to read the manufacturer’s manual for a more detailed guide.
Bare Cast Iron
Chefs desire this type of Dutch oven construction due to its conducting power. Without any degradation or wear and tear, this type of Dutch oven can withstand any extremely high cooking temperatures, making it the best choice for many dishes.
Unlike enameled Dutch ovens, the bare cast iron needs to have a special cleaning regiment to maintain its overall functionality and use. However, if they are properly well taken care of, a bare case iron could be used for decades.
Bare cast irons are the best option for campfires and any other outdoor adventures as they can be directly placed onto a hot pile of burning woods or coals. You need to know what a Dutch oven is used for, but you should also know how to clean it. Here's how to learn more about ovens.
Conclusion
Many dishes can be cooked with a Dutch oven. If you want to learn how to use it, you should first know what a Dutch oven is used for to maximize its uses is.
While Dutch ovens are known for their myriad of capabilities, it pays to be more technical when using this type of cooking ware. Dutch ovens are versatile cooking wares that should stand the test of time with proper use. If you happen to have one, let your imagination take over and make countless dishes.
