Dutch Oven

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SodiumPentathol

Assistant Cook
Joined
Jul 19, 2011
Messages
42
I've been thinking about buying a Lodge Dutch Oven for a little while now, but I just have one issue. I have NO idea what size to buy. Right now it's just me and the fiance, but we have a baby on the way. I don't want to buy a smaller size just to have to replace it in a few years, but I've never had a dutch oven so I don't know if it makes sense to cook smaller quantities in a bigger size. I'm mostly looking to cook pot roasts and stews and other beefy goodness, would you guys suggest a 3,4,6, or 7.5 quart dutch oven?
 
I would go with the 7.5. It is better to have it too big than too small. I think the 7.5 is a great size for your growing family. The Dutch oven is a piece that you will have forever so as the baby grows into a little eating machine over the years you will be happy you have the larger size.
 
I agree.

Dutch oven recipes often are for larger items like a pot roast or whole chicken or a batch of stew or chili. All dishes that are great as leftovers. I have the 7 quart size for the two of us and it's perfect.
 
Yay! I was hoping I could just buy the big size and not worry about having to replace it later on :) Do dutch ovens have a minimum fill line like slow cookers do? I don't want to have to make a giant stew just to fill it up when we aren't going to end up eating it :)
 
I have the big one too. Makes nice no-knead bread, along with the other stuff. I don't think there's a limit, fill as much or as little as you need.
 
I'd say that since you are going to be cooking a recipe for a long time. You should have at least a couple of inches of ingredients in the pot to start.
 
we've kiddie downsized to two people - altho I have several DO my pot of choice is the six qt size.

for two, it's a perfect fit for a 4-5 lb chicken+ carrots+onion+potatoes or a 5-7 lb roast+veggies.

it'll do stew or chilli or chowda' for ten people. . . . or corned beef & cabbage until you're tired of eating it (g)

it's the volume of stuff like potatoes & veggies "to go in the pot for six" where the size is not adequate. for me it works because there's left over chicken or roast, etc - but I prefer to cook up "fresh" sides vs reheating old veggies.
 
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