A big pot changes what you can cook. Pozole for a family party, menudo on a Sunday morning, a full batch of birria or a pot of frijoles de la olla that lasts the week all need room: room for bones and broth, room to brown meat without crowding, and room for the liquid to move without boiling over. In a home kitchen, that pot is usually a large Dutch oven, somewhere between 7 and 9 quarts.
Large Dutch ovens come with a cost that small ones hide, and it is not only the price. Cast iron at this size weighs 13 to 20 pounds empty, before you add a gallon of broth. This guide covers eight large pots worth buying, from French enamel to bare Tennessee iron, and gives each one’s stated weight so you can judge what you will be lifting out of a hot oven.
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Quick verdict: which large Dutch oven to buy
The best large Dutch oven for most kitchens is the Le Creuset Signature 7.25-quart round. It is America’s Test Kitchen’s overall winner, with a 9-inch cooking surface, a light interior and the lowest weight of any enameled pot its size in ATK’s review. To spend less, the Lodge Essential Enamel 7.5-quart is the most affordable large enameled pot here, though it is also the heaviest. If you cook for a crowd and 7 quarts is not enough, the Staub 9-quart cocotte is the biggest enameled pot here that we found in stock.
The table lines up the five pots that suit the most cooks. All eight picks are reviewed in full after it.
Five large Dutch ovens side by side
One pick for each kind of big-batch cook, with capacity and weight as the maker, a retailer or America’s Test Kitchen states them.
| Dutch oven | Best for | Capacity & weight | Interior | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Le Creuset Signature 7.25-quart Round Dutch OvenBest overall
|
Weekly braises and stews for six | 7.25 qt, 13.7 lb (ATK) | Light enamel, 9-inch floor | View on Amazon |
Lodge Essential Enamel 7.5-quart Dutch OvenBudget pick
|
Big batches for less | 7.5 qt, 19.33 lb (Lodge) | Enamel; sloped sides, smaller floor | View on Amazon |
Staub 9-quart Round CocotteBest for a crowd
|
Party-size pozole and birria | 9 qt, weight not stated | Black matte enamel | View on Amazon |
Lodge 9-quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven with Bail HandleBest bare cast iron
|
Stove, oven, grill or fire | 9 qt, 22.83 lb (Lodge catalog) | Seasoned black iron | View on Amazon |
Staub 7-quart Oval CocotteBest large oval
|
Pork shoulder, whole birds | 7 qt, 15.65 lb (Zwilling) | Black matte enamel, oval | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Weights are empty weights as stated by America’s Test Kitchen or the maker’s catalog; check the listing before you buy.
Our picks for the best large Dutch oven
These eight pots run from 7 to 9 quarts: the range that holds a whole chicken, a full pot of beans or a batch of stew for eight. Most are enameled cast iron, one is bare iron that can go over a fire, and one is an oval for long cuts. Each pick lists the weight its maker or a reviewer states, because at this size weight is the first thing you will notice.
1. Le Creuset Signature 7.25-quart Round Dutch Oven – Big Capacity Without Extra Bulk
America’s Test Kitchen’s verdict on this pot is unusually direct: it calls the Le Creuset 7¼-quart round “the best Dutch oven on the market,” and its winner among 6.5- to 7.5-quart pots. ATK also thinks a 7-quart pot is the best single size for most people, roomy enough for a whole chicken, so this is both its favorite pot and its favorite size.
The reasons matter for big-batch cooking. ATK measured a 9-inch cooking surface and a 4.5-inch interior height, so the walls are low and straight and the floor is broad. That means fewer rounds of browning when you sear pork shoulder for pozole or chuck for birria, and a clear view of the fond through the light interior enamel. It was also the lightest enameled pot of its size in ATK’s lineup, at 13.7 pounds empty, and ATK found it exceptionally resistant to damage.
The listing rates it for every cooktop and the oven to 500°F, and calls it dishwasher safe. This color comes with a stainless steel knob (ATK’s sample had a black phenolic one). A retailer, Cutlery and More, lists an 11-inch top diameter and 14.75 inches across the handles, which is worth checking against your cabinet before you order. Le Creuset says its cookware complies with FDA safety regulations; we found no explicit lead-free statement from the maker.
Why we like it
- America’s Test Kitchen’s overall winner
- Broad 9-inch floor with low, straight sides (ATK)
- Lightest enameled pot of its size in ATK’s review
- Exceptionally resistant to damage (ATK)
- Oven-safe to 500°F on all cooktops, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | LS2501-2859SS (Signature round, 28 cm) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 7.25 qt |
| Material | Enameled cast iron |
| Interior | Light, smooth enamel |
| Knob/lid rating | Stainless knob; oven-safe to 500°F (listing) |
| Weight | 13.7 lb (ATK) |
| Dimensions | 11 in top diameter, 14.75 in with handles (retailer) |
| Care | Dishwasher safe, per listing |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you cook stews, soups and braises for six or more every week and want the large pot that is easiest to live with: it is lighter than the budget pots here and the hardest to chip.
Skip it if the price is out of reach. The Lodge Essential Enamel 7.5-quart below holds more for less money, at the cost of extra weight and a smaller floor.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Even heat without excess weight
- Easy to see the fond
- Smooth lid that is easy to clean (ATK)
Cons
- Costs several times more than the Lodge enameled pot
- Still close to 14 pounds empty
- Light enamel shows chile stains over time
2. Staub 7-quart Round Cocotte – Tough Enamel and a Broad Floor
America’s Test Kitchen recommends Staub’s 7-quart round cocotte among full-size pots, and its strongest word for it is durable: ATK called it very durable after its abuse tests. It is the same size ATK suggests for most people, and the listing says it serves seven to eight, enough for a family pot of pozole or a double batch of frijoles de la olla.
ATK measured a broad 9.38-inch cooking surface, a little wider than the Le Creuset’s, and weighed the pot at 14.95 pounds, about a pound more than the winner. The interior is Staub’s black, textured matte enamel, which the listing says gives exceptional browning. ATK found the dark interior made browning harder to see, but it also hid stains and gave especially crusty bread, a fair trade for a pot that will spend years full of red chile.
The listing says the pot is made in France, works on every stovetop including induction, is oven-safe to 900°F without its lid and 500°F with it, and has a nickel steel knob and a heavy lid with spikes that drip moisture back onto the food. It is dishwasher safe, with hand washing recommended. Staub says its products are lead-free and cadmium-free and are tested by third-party labs. ATK’s complaints were small handles, a knob that often worked loose and a spiked, ridged lid that took more effort to clean.
Why we like it
- Very durable in ATK’s testing
- Broad 9.38-inch cooking surface (ATK)
- Dark interior hides chile stains
- Made in France; lead-free per Staub
Key specifications
| Model | 1102825 (Black) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 7 qt |
| Material | Enameled cast iron |
| Interior | Black matte textured enamel |
| Knob/lid rating | Pot to 900°F without lid; lid to 500°F (listing) |
| Weight | 14.95 lb (ATK) |
| Dimensions | 9.38 in cooking surface (ATK) |
| Care | Dishwasher safe; hand wash recommended (listing) |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want a large enameled pot that stands up to hard use and a dark interior that will not show years of chile and tomato. Our guide to the best value Dutch oven covers cheaper pots in smaller sizes.
Skip it if you like to watch the fond as it builds; the black interior makes browning harder to judge than the Le Creuset’s light enamel.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very durable (ATK)
- Broad floor for browning
- Oven-safe to 900°F without the lid
Cons
- Small handles and a knob that loosened (ATK)
- Spiked lid is harder to clean
- Dark interior hides the fond
3. Staub 9-quart Round Cocotte – Room for a Party-Size Batch
When 7 quarts is not enough, the next sensible step is 9. Staub’s listing says this cocotte serves nine to ten, which is the size for pozole at a family gathering or menudo for a full table. We looked for 9-quart pots from Le Creuset as well, but every color we checked was in short supply on Amazon; this Staub, in cherry red, was in stock.
It is made in France, with Staub’s black, textured matte interior, which the maker says gives exceptional browning, and a heavy lid with small spikes underneath meant to drip moisture back onto the food. A restaurant supplier lists it at 14.96 inches long with handles, 7.48 inches tall and 10 inches across the bottom. Staub rates the pot to 900°F without its lid and the lid to 500°F, and it works on every stovetop including induction.
ATK has not reviewed this 9-quart size. It did recommend Staub’s 7-quart cocotte above, which shares the design, and its notes carry over: very durable, a broad cooking surface, a dark interior that made browning harder to see but gave especially crusty bread and hid stains, handles that were a little small, and a spiked, ridged lid that was harder to clean. Staub does not state the 9-quart’s weight; Target lists a shipping weight of about 19 pounds, which includes the box.
Why we like it
- 9-quart capacity, serves nine to ten (listing)
- Broad 10-inch base (retailer)
- Pot oven-safe to 900°F without the lid, per Staub
- Dark enamel hides stains from chile-heavy braises
- Made in France
Key specifications
| Model | 1004228 (cherry) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 9 qt |
| Material | Enameled cast iron |
| Interior | Black matte textured enamel |
| Knob/lid rating | Nickel steel knob; lid to 500°F, pot to 900°F without lid |
| Weight | Not stated (about 19 lb shipping weight, Target) |
| Dimensions | 14.96 x 11.81 x 7.48 in; 10 in base (retailer) |
| Care | Dishwasher safe; hand washing recommended |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you regularly cook for eight or more, or want one pot big enough for a pozole that feeds a party, and you want enameled iron that will not need seasoning.
Skip it if you have a small oven or trouble lifting: a 9-quart cast iron pot full of broth is heavy, and the dark interior makes browning harder to judge.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Largest enameled pot here
- Very high oven rating for the pot
- Stain-hiding black interior
Cons
- Weight not stated by Staub
- Not reviewed by ATK in this size
- Spiked lid is harder to clean
4. Misen 7-quart Enameled Dutch Oven – Broad Floor and a Grill-Pan Lid
Misen’s 7-quart Dutch oven was recommended by America’s Test Kitchen among full-size pots. ATK found it heated evenly, made moist, consistently cooked rice and had a broad cooking surface with room to brown a lot of meat at once. Its large looped handles were comfortable even with thick oven mitts, it showed no damage after ATK’s durability tests, and the light interior made it easy to watch the fond.
This listing comes with two lids. The cast iron grill lid works as a normal Dutch oven lid and flips over to become a grill pan, and a silicone lid covers leftovers. Misen lists the pot at 11.43 pounds without its lid and the grill lid at 6.31 pounds, 15 inches across the handles and 5 inches deep. The pot and grill lid are rated to 500°F and the silicone lid to 450°F. Misen says it has four layers of enamel, is induction compatible and dishwasher safe, and is made in China.
ATK’s two quibbles were taller walls, which make it a little harder to see in, and weight: its sample was about 2.5 pounds heavier than the Le Creuset (ATK weighed it at 16.25 pounds). ATK does not say which lid its sample had, so the grill lid itself has not been reviewed by ATK. Misen says its cookware is third-party tested for FDA, LFGB and California Prop 65 compliance; we found no explicit lead-free statement from the maker.
Why we like it
- Recommended by America’s Test Kitchen
- Broad 9-inch cooking surface (ATK)
- No damage in ATK’s durability tests
- Grill lid doubles as a grill pan, per Misen
Key specifications
| Model | MK-2315G (grill and silicone lids) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 7 qt |
| Material | Enameled cast iron, 4.5 mm walls (Misen) |
| Interior | Light enamel (ATK) |
| Knob/lid rating | Pot and grill lid to 500°F; silicone lid to 450°F |
| Weight | 11.43 lb pot + 6.31 lb grill lid (Misen) |
| Dimensions | 15 in handle to handle, 5 in deep (Misen) |
| Care | Dishwasher safe; hand washing recommended |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want a durable, full-size enameled pot with a wide floor and like the idea of a lid that can also char onions and chiles for salsa.
Skip it if you lift the lid often: at over six pounds, the cast iron grill lid is heavy on its own.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Durable enamel in ATK’s tests
- Large, easy-grip handles
- Two lids for cooking and storing
Cons
- Taller walls are harder to see into (ATK)
- Heavy grill lid
- Silicone lid rated lower than the pot
5. Lodge Essential Enamel 7.5-quart Dutch Oven – Big Enameled Pot on a Budget
Lodge’s 7.5-quart enameled pot is the most affordable large enameled pot here from a long-established maker. Lodge rates it for any stovetop, including induction, and the oven to 500°F, and says it is made by partners in China or Vietnam.
Weight is the honest headline. ATK reviewed Lodge’s earlier 7.5-quart enameled pot (model EC7D43, now on Lodge’s discontinued list) and called it the heaviest pot it tested, at 18.15 pounds, a weight it found trying when hauling the pot out of the oven full of beef stew. Lodge lists the current Essential Enamel 7.5-quart at 19.33 pounds, 14.2 inches long and 6.7 inches high. Either way, this is the heaviest enameled pot on our list.
The rest of ATK’s notes on the earlier pot were positive: a light interior that made it easy to see in, large looped handles that were easy to grab with oven mitts, and good durability. Its one cooking drawback was shape. The sides slope in, so the flat floor measured only 8 inches, and it took more batches to sear meat. We have not seen an independent review of this exact Essential Enamel version.
Why we like it
- 7.5 quarts of enameled iron at a budget price
- Oven-safe to 500°F, per Lodge
- Light interior and large looped handles (ATK, earlier model)
- Passed ATK’s durability test (earlier model)
Key specifications
| Model | EC7D34 (Storm Blue) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 7.5 qt |
| Material | Enameled cast iron |
| Interior | Not stated (light on earlier model, ATK) |
| Knob/lid rating | Oven-safe to 500°F (Lodge) |
| Weight | 19.33 lb (Lodge) |
| Dimensions | 14.2 x 12.93 x 6.7 in (Lodge) |
| Care | Hand wash recommended (Lodge) |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want the capacity of a large enameled pot at the lowest cost and mostly simmer soups, beans and stews, where a small floor matters less.
Skip it if you brown a lot of meat or struggle with heavy cookware: the Le Creuset and the Staub 7-quart have wider floors and weigh less.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Low cost for the size
- Durable enamel (ATK, earlier model)
- Easy-grip handles
Cons
- Heaviest enameled pot here
- Small flat floor for its size
- This version not independently reviewed
6. Lodge 9-quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven with Bail Handle – Bare Iron for Big Pots Outdoors
Some of the biggest pots of pozole and frijoles are cooked outside, over a burner or a fire, and that is where bare cast iron makes sense. This Lodge pot holds 9 quarts, measures 13.25 inches across in Lodge’s catalog, and has a steel spiral bail handle for hanging or carrying, plus a cast iron lid. It is cast and seasoned with vegetable oil in South Pittsburg, Tennessee, and the listing says it works on the stove, in the oven, on a grill and over a campfire.
It is the heaviest pot on this page. Lodge’s trade catalog lists it at 22.83 pounds per unit, before any food goes in. The bail handle makes it easier to carry across a yard than to lift two-handed out of a home oven, so think about where you will use it.
ATK has not reviewed this 9-quart pot. Its notes on Lodge’s 7-quart bare pot are a fair guide to the material: the dark interior made browning harder to see but gave exceptionally crusty bread, the iron never made food taste metallic, and Lodge’s manual warns that acidic foods can damage young seasoning. Plan on drying and oiling it after every wash. For a smaller bare pot with ATK’s full review, see the 7-quart Lodge in our best Dutch oven guide.
Why we like it
- 9 quarts for big outdoor batches
- Steel bail handle for carrying or hanging
- No enamel to chip; stove, oven, grill or campfire
- Made in South Pittsburg, Tennessee
Key specifications
| Model | L12DO3 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 9 qt |
| Material | Seasoned cast iron |
| Interior | Black seasoned iron |
| Knob/lid rating | All-iron lid; any heat source, including campfire |
| Weight | 22.83 lb (Lodge catalog) |
| Dimensions | 13.25 in diameter (Lodge) |
| Care | Hand wash, dry promptly, oil lightly |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you cook large batches outdoors, already look after a cast iron skillet, or want a big pot that cannot chip.
Skip it if you plan to lift it in and out of a home oven often, or want to simmer tomatillo or tomato braises before the seasoning is well established.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Nothing to chip or crack
- Indoor and outdoor use
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Heaviest pot on this list
- Needs drying and oiling after each wash
- Not reviewed by ATK in this size
7. Staub 7-quart Oval Cocotte – Length for Whole Shoulders and Birds
A round pot is the better all-rounder, but some big cuts are long, not round: a whole pork shoulder for carnitas, a long beef chuck roast for barbacoa-style shredded beef, or a large chicken. Staub’s 7-quart oval gives them room. Zwilling, which sells Staub, lists the cherry oval cocotte at 6.7 liters (7.08 quarts), 15.75 by 12.99 inches and 6.81 inches tall with the lid, and the Amazon listing says it serves seven to eight.
The listing describes Staub’s heavy, tight-fitting lid with spikes that return juices to the food, a nickel steel knob, and a matte-textured interior enamel that it credits with good browning. It rates the pot to 900°F without the lid and the lid to 500°F, lists every stovetop including induction, and says it is dishwasher safe with hand washing recommended. It is made in France. Zwilling gives a net weight of 15.65 pounds.
The honest limit is the stove. An oval’s ends overhang a round burner, so they heat more slowly. ATK says ovals have performed as well as round pots in its earlier testing, provided you preheat them well. That makes this a pot for the oven first and the burner second. The interior is black, like the Staub 9-quart above, so watch browning by smell and by lifting a piece rather than by color. Our guide to the best oval Dutch oven compares it with other ovals.
Why we like it
- Long oval shape for whole cuts
- 7-quart capacity, serves seven to eight (listing)
- Pot rated to 900°F without the lid
- Made in France
Key specifications
| Model | 1004240 (Cherry) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 7 qt (6.7 L, Zwilling) |
| Material | Enameled cast iron |
| Interior | Black matte enamel |
| Knob/lid rating | Nickel steel knob; lid oven-safe to 500°F |
| Weight | 15.65 lb (Zwilling) |
| Dimensions | 15.75 x 12.99 x 6.81 in with lid (Zwilling) |
| Care | Dishwasher safe; hand washing recommended |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if your big-batch cooking is mostly whole cuts braised or roasted in the oven, and you want a long pot that can take a very hot oven.
Skip it if most of your cooking happens on a small round burner, where a round pot heats more evenly, or if you want a light interior that shows browning.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Fits long roasts and large birds
- Very high oven rating
- Self-basting lid spikes
Cons
- Ends heat slowly on a round burner
- Dark interior hides browning
- Heavy at 15.65 lb empty
8. Tramontina 7-quart Enameled Tall Round Dutch Oven – Tall Sides for Soup and Broth
Most of the pots above are prized for low walls and a wide floor, which help browning and reduction. Soups are a different job. For pozole, menudo or caldo, where the pot is mostly broth, taller sides hold more liquid on the same burner and keep splatter in the pot. Tramontina’s 7-quart “tall” round Dutch oven is built that way.
The listing describes porcelain-enameled cast iron with a stainless steel knob and self-basting condensation ridges on the lid, compatible with gas, electric, ceramic glass and induction cooktops and oven-safe to 450°F. That is a lower rating than most pots here, which matters only if you bake bread at high heat. Tramontina’s site describes its enameled cast iron as hand wash only, and the listing includes a lifetime warranty.
We have to be clear about the evidence. ATK has not reviewed this tall 7-quart model; it tested Tramontina’s 6.5-quart round, a different pot, and found its taller sides and narrower floor made browning slower. Expect the same trade-off here: a pot for simmering more than searing. Tramontina does not state its weight on the listing.
Why we like it
- Tall 7-quart shape suits broth-heavy soups
- Stainless steel knob, per the listing
- Works on induction and all common cooktops
- Lifetime warranty, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | 80131/353DS (Latte) |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 7 qt |
| Material | Enameled cast iron |
| Interior | Porcelain enamel; color not stated |
| Knob/lid rating | Stainless knob; oven-safe to 450°F (listing) |
| Weight | Not stated |
| Dimensions | Not stated |
| Care | Hand wash only (Tramontina) |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if your big pot is mostly for soups and stews with plenty of liquid, and you want an enameled pot at a modest price.
Skip it if you sear a lot of meat or bake bread above 450°F; one of the wider, higher-rated pots above will serve you better.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Tall sides contain splatter
- Stainless knob
- Induction compatible
Cons
- 450°F oven limit
- Weight and dimensions not stated
- Not reviewed by ATK
How to choose a large Dutch oven
A large pot is a bigger commitment than a 5-quart one: more weight, more storage space, more money. These are the factors that decide whether it earns its place.
1. How large is large enough
America’s Test Kitchen thinks a 7-quart pot is the best size for most people, with room for anything from a whole chicken to a pan of baked ziti. Go to 9 quarts only if you regularly cook for eight or more, make soups with lots of bones and broth, or cook big batches to freeze. A pot that is too big for the batch is not free: a small amount of stew spreads thin in a wide pot and can scorch.
2. Weight, empty and full
The pots here weigh from 13.7 pounds (the Le Creuset, per ATK) to 22.83 pounds (the bare Lodge 9-quart, per Lodge’s catalog), empty. Food adds to that quickly. Going by the U.S. Geological Survey’s figure for the density of water, a quart of broth weighs a little over 2 pounds, so 5 quarts of pozole adds roughly 10 pounds to the pot. ATK’s favorites were on the lighter side of the range and had large looped handles you can grip with oven mitts. If lifting is a concern, lighten the load by ladling some out before you move it, or look at a lightweight Dutch oven.
3. Floor width versus wall height
ATK wants at least 9 inches of flat cooking surface on a 7-quart pot. A wide floor browns more meat per batch and reduces sauces faster; tall sides hold more liquid and keep soup in the pot. Pots with sloping sides, like the Lodge enameled 7.5-quart, have less flat floor than their size suggests. Choose wide and low for braises like birria, taller for broth-heavy soups.
4. Will it fit your oven and burner
Measure before you buy. A 9-quart pot is close to 15 inches across the handles, and ATK found the tall knob on one large Lodge pot nearly hit the oven ceiling when baking bread. Match the base to your largest burner for even heat, and preheat gradually. An oval needs extra preheating on a round burner.
5. Enamel or bare iron
Enamel needs no seasoning, handles acidic tomato and tomatillo braises, and can hold leftovers. Bare iron is cheaper per quart, cannot chip and can go over a fire, but it must be dried and oiled after each wash. Our guide to the best cast iron Dutch oven goes further into bare iron.
How we chose these eight large Dutch ovens
We started with what a restaurant kitchen asks of a big pot: enough room for a full batch, a floor broad enough to brown in few rounds, handles you can grab with a towel, and a body that survives years of use. We then looked for 7- to 9-quart pots sold and in stock on Amazon in the United States, and checked capacity, materials, oven ratings, care and weight against each listing, the maker’s site, Lodge’s trade catalog or a named retailer.
For how the pots cook, we relied on America’s Test Kitchen’s Dutch oven review, which we read in full. Cooking results and weights credited to ATK are ATK’s. We have not cooked with these pots ourselves, and where ATK reviewed a different size or an earlier model, we say so.
Some large pots are missing for practical reasons. Le Creuset’s 9-quart and 13.25-quart rounds and Staub’s 13.25-quart were in short supply on Amazon when we checked. We include both Staub’s 7-quart round, which ATK recommends, and its 9-quart, which gives big-batch cooks a real step up in size. We also left out glazed or enameled picks whose makers give no lead-free statement.
Large Dutch oven questions, answered
What size is a large Dutch oven?
Most makers and reviewers treat 7 quarts and up as large. America’s Test Kitchen groups full-size pots at 6.5 to 7.5 quarts and calls 7 quarts the best choice for most people. Pots of 9 quarts and more are for cooks who regularly feed eight or more.
Is a 9-quart Dutch oven too big for home use?
Not if you cook large batches, but it is more than most households need. It is heavy, takes up a lot of storage space and spreads small batches thin. If you cook for a crowd only a few times a year, a 7-quart pot plus a tall saucepan covers most days.
How heavy is a large Dutch oven?
Empty, the pots on this page weigh about 13.7 to 22.83 pounds, as stated by ATK or the maker. Add roughly 2 pounds for every quart of liquid inside. The Le Creuset 7.25-quart is the lightest large enameled pot ATK has reviewed.
Which large Dutch oven is best for pozole or menudo?
For a family-size batch, a 7- to 7.5-quart pot works; for a party, go to 9 quarts. Both soups are mostly broth, so a taller pot like the Tramontina helps, while a wide pot like the Le Creuset or the Staub 7-quart is better if you brown the meat first. Our explainer on pozole vs menudo covers how the two are made.
Is a large oval or round Dutch oven better?
Round pots heat more evenly on a round burner and are better for soups and stovetop work. Ovals fit long cuts and whole birds and are best in the oven. ATK says ovals have performed as well as round pots in its earlier testing if you preheat them well.
Our last word on large Dutch ovens
Buy the Le Creuset 7.25-quart if you want the large pot America’s Test Kitchen rates highest and the easiest to lift for its size. Buy the Staub 7-quart for a tougher pot with a dark interior, the Lodge Essential Enamel 7.5-quart to spend less, and the Staub 9-quart if you really do cook for a crowd. For smaller pots and the full picture, start with our best Dutch oven guide, and read up on birria before you fill one. When you would rather someone else did the simmering, Julia’s is at 5402 N Highway 6 in Houston: call to order.