Le Creuset makes the best Dutch ovens that money can buy if you consider adding one to your collection. Good for you!
I’ve used Le Creuset cookware for over 15 years and have even worked in one of their “Signature” stores. I know almost everything there is to know about the brand and has tried out nearly every product.
Knowing Le Creuset’s sizes will help you choose the dutch oven that will serve your cooking needs the best.
In this article, I’m excited to show you the different sizes and shapes of Le Creuset Dutch Ovens. Today, you should better know which model will work best in your kitchen. And if you’re like me, you might also find some interesting pieces you want to save for the future.
How Are Le Creuset Dutch Ovens Sized?
Before you start thinking about what size dutch oven you need, it’s helpful to know how Le Creuset determines “size.”
The main thing determining a Dutch oven’s size is how much it can cook. For products sold in the US, Le Creuset uses a label that says “Quarts.” Most other countries use “liters.”
The other size you should know is the diameter of your open dutch oven across the top. Knowing this information can be beneficial if you want to determine the size of a dutch oven you already own.
Most models have the diameter written in centimeters on the bottom, so you will always have a size reference if you need it. The exact measurement can also be found on the inside of most lids.
Some older models may also have a letter on the bottom and lid. For instance, an “A” lid would go with an “A” bottom. So you could find the fitting top and base, this was done. Since sizes have changed over the past 95 years, the letter system must be updated and more functional.
Answer These Questions First
Before you go shopping, there are a few things you should be sure of.
Even though Le Creuset is an excellent brand in many ways, it is costly. Taking a few minutes to answer these three questions can go a long way toward helping you choose the best oven for you. It could also help you avoid buying a range that only fits some of your food.
1. How Many People Do I Regularly Cook For?
This may seem simple, but you’d be surprised at how often people buy too much or too little food for the number of people they usually need to feed.
When choosing the size of your dutch oven, a good rule of thumb is to add 1 quart for each adult you’ll be feeding. So, for example, a 1-quart Dutch oven is suitable for one person, and a 5.5-quart model is good for a family of five or six people.
This is a good rule of thumb, but remember that not all mouths are hungry simultaneously.
If you make small children’s food, a quart will last longer than one serving. OR, if you need to cook for a group of hungry teenagers, start with the enormous 15.5-quart Goose Pot.
Most of the time, I cook for three to four people. But I chose a 5.5-quart Le Creuset Dutch oven for my first one. That allowed me to cook for a few extra people if needed, and it’s beneficial when making a lot of food at once.
2. What Are The Things I’ll Be Cooking Most Often?
A Dutch oven is a great way to make food for yourself, your friends, or your family. But if you choose a size that seems too big, you can cook and bake even more things.
Baking bread in a Dutch oven is one of my favorite things to do with it. Most standard bread recipes call for a round Dutch oven with at least 4 quarts of space. Even if you only cook for one or two people, you should get a bigger pan to bake bread.
The same is valid for cooking big roasts or frying in oil. A one-, two-, or even three-quart round Dutch oven might need to be more significant for those tasks. If you only have room in your kitchen or money for one Dutch oven, start with one that holds at least 4.5 quarts.
You will have the most options with these sizes, and you will be able to use the recipes you can make.
3. Is An Oval Or Round Shape More Practical?
The answer to this question depends on what you cook the most.
If you want to cook a lot of big pieces of meat, choose an oval Dutch oven. The long shape makes it perfect for a whole rack of ribs, a big roast, or even a whole turkey.
Get a round one if this is your first and only Dutch oven. They can do everything an oval one can do except fit the most significant pieces of meat. And round Dutch ovens are usually easier to use because they work on most stove burners better.
What Size And Shape Le Creuset Dutch Oven Should I Get?
If you have already answered the three questions above, you should know the range of sizes that could work best in your kitchen. If you haven’t already done this, I suggest you do it before you choose a dutch oven.
I already own a dutch oven. What size is it?
If you need to know the size or capacity of a Le Creuset Dutch oven you own, there is an easy way to find out. Flip your Dutch oven over and look for the number stamped in the middle. This is the diameter of the top of the Dutch oven in centimeters.
Put that number into the table above, and you’ll have the quart capacity and a rough idea of how many people it will serve—knowing when a recipe calls for a particular size pot.
The exact number will also be stamped on the bottom of most lids. If you have more than one Dutch oven, this can be a helpful way to find the fitting tops and bases.
Also Check : 7 Essential Cookware Pieces Every Beginner Needs
What Is The Best Dutch Oven Size For Baking Bread?
There are an infinite number of ways to make bread. Many of the most common and easy-to-find recipes are for one- or two-pound loaves, which fit perfectly in a 4.5- or 5.5-quart Le Creuset Dutch oven. Check out this recipe from Jim Lahey for a quick and tasty loaf.
If you have a bigger model, like 7.25 quarts, that will work just as well. But if you want the best baking results, I would go at most 4 quarts.
What Kind Of Stove Top Do I Need To Use An Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven?
The Dutch ovens made by Le Creuset can be used on any stovetop, including induction, and they can also go in the range. If you cook on a stove with a glass top, you should be extra careful when putting something as heavy as this on top. If you dropped the cooktop by accident, it could crack or break.
What Is the Best Dutch Oven For 2 People?
You can get by with a 2.5- to 3.5-quart Le Creuset Dutch oven, but it will only work for some things. I would use a 4.5-quart Dutch oven even for two people. That size is big enough to fry bread, a whole chicken, or even bread. But you won’t feel like it’s too big for everyday cooking.
What is the Best Dutch Oven For 4 People?
An enameled cast-iron Dutch oven with a capacity of 5.5 quarts is perfect for cooking for four people daily. If you plan to have people over and host, you should get a 7-quart range.
How Do I Clean My Dutch Oven?
The nice thing about enameled cast iron is that it doesn’t need to be maintained or cleaned in a particular way.
Most messes can be cleaned quickly and easily with soapy water and a soft brush or sponge. Most stuck-on food can be easily removed by soaking it for several hours. I wash mine by hand as much as possible, but Le Creuset Dutch ovens can also be put in the dishwasher. Don’t be surprised if the inside enamel turns a different color afterward.
Final Thoughts
Any size Dutch oven can be used a lot. But you’ll get the most for your money if you choose the one that can do the most. And keep in mind that these things don’t come cheap.
If this is your first and only Dutch oven, choose one that seems a little big so you can cook various things. You will only have to add more sizes once you’re ready to do so.
Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Dutch Oven, 13.25 qt., Cerise
