Table of Contents
- What’s So Special About That Oval Shape Anyway?
- When an Oval Dutch Oven Is Simply Unbeatable
- The (Slightly Awkward) Downsides of an Oval Dutch Oven
- Should You Buy an Oval Dutch Oven? (Let’s Be Real)
Let me tell you about the first time I fell in love—with pots and pans, that is. I was minding my own business (well, drooling over fancy gadgets) when I saw it: a Le Creuset oval Dutch oven shining in that famous “Volcanic” orange color. My heart did a little flip. Did I need to buy another Dutch oven? Nope. Did I forget to get it before I left the store? No way.
If you like to cook at home or just like to look at nice pots and pans online (no judgment, I’m that person too), you might have wondered if the oval Dutch oven is worth it or if it’s just pretty kitchen eye candy. Let’s be honest: these things cost more than a short trip away. You want to make sure that your “investment piece” will actually do its job.
So, let’s get started. I’ll tell you about the great highs and the not-so-great lows of having an oval Dutch oven. I’ll also tell you some true stories, give you my opinion, and add enough humor to help you decide if this famous pot should go in your kitchen or if it should just sit on someone’s Instagram feed.
What’s So Special About That Oval Shape Anyway?
The oval Dutch oven. It looks like its round cousin just got bigger in Photoshop at first glance. But there is a reason for the craziness! When you have to cook longer pieces of meat, the oval Dutch oven really shines. You might want to roast a leg of lamb, a whole chicken, or a pork loin that looks like it came from a Renaissance banquet. Put those in a round Dutch oven and see what happens. It’s like playing Tetris with food, which is a little annoying and awkward. The oval Dutch oven gives you enough room to let the big pieces relax and stretch out so that they cook evenly.
If you like to bake bread, here’s a fun fact: the oval Dutch oven is a dough-lover’s dream. I once tried to bake a bâtard in a round pot. Let’s just call it a “rustic blob.” In an oval Dutch oven? Wow! Like your favorite bakery, the steam traps inside, giving you that chewy crust and beautiful crumb. Not a baker of bread? No problem. It also works great for ciabatta and almost any other long loaf you want to take out of the oven and wave around in front of your friends.
But if you like chili, soups, or risotto that needs a lot of care, the classic round Dutch oven is still the best (cornbread) cake. It is easier to stir because it doesn’t have any sharp corners or burnt bits hiding in the shadows.
When an Oval Dutch Oven Is Simply Unbeatable
There are times when an oval Dutch oven is the hero you need, and honestly, the hero you deserve.
Sunday Roast, Upgraded
Picture this: it’s Sunday afternoon, and you’re on your way to a great roast. You take a whole chicken, season it with a lot of spices, and put it in your oval Dutch oven. No pushing or squeezing. The air moves freely around it as it cooks, making the skin crispy all over. Your house smells like a French farmhouse all of a sudden. Friends and family wander in, lured by the scent—and you look like an absolute genius, all thanks to that trusty oval Dutch oven.
Shanks for the Memories
Let me tell you about the time I cooked lamb shanks for a lot of people. It was like putting people in a tiny clown car in the kitchen with my round pot. Shanks sticking out all over the place, some dry and some perfect—chaos. A year later, every shank fit perfectly in an oval Dutch oven, soaking up all that beautiful liquid. What happened? The food was so soft that it melted in your mouth. My uncle, who is hard to please, even asked for seconds.
The (Slightly Awkward) Downsides of an Oval Dutch Oven
Okay, it’s time to be honest. I love my oval Dutch oven, but it’s not all sunshine and perfectly cooked chickens. Un ven Heating Drama
The salespeople don’t always tell you this: standard hobs and oval Dutch ovens don’t always work well together. The pot’s long edges hang over your round burner, which means that the heat isn’t even. When you sear a roast, the ends can get cold while the middle gets nice and brown. What did I do to fix it? Do your searing quickly, then move your oval Dutch oven into the oven to bake it evenly.
It’s a Bit of a Diva
And wow, the oval Dutch oven really stands out. While it’s cooking, try using other burners. Good luck. And when you stir, the corners can be hard to reach. Also, if your storage isn’t Pinterest-perfect, you’ll have to do some serious Tetris to make it fit. I won’t even talk about the time I tried to put my oval Dutch oven and pasta pot in the same cabinet and ended up with an avalanche.
Should You Buy an Oval Dutch Oven? (Let’s Be Real)
So, this is the million-dollar question. Do you really need a Dutch oven in the shape of an oval?
An oval Dutch oven can change the way you cook if you like to roast big pieces of meat, bake bread, or feed a lot of people. I wish I had mine back when I was trying to roast a whole pork loin in my round Dutch oven and failing. Ovals are just better!
The round Dutch oven is the most versatile pot for soups, stews, and other dishes that need to be stirred all the time. It fits on the burner, goes from chili to curry to spaghetti sauce without any problems, and it just feels right in your hands on a busy weeknight.
Here’s some advice from one chef to another: if you love your round Dutch oven but want more heat for roasting and baking, go oval and never look back. But what if this is your first Dutch oven? Stick with the classic round one; it can handle almost anything you throw at it, except maybe a 16-inch ciabatta.
You can’t really go wrong with a Dutch oven, whether it’s oval or round. So, what do you like to cook the most? Roast chicken, a rustic roast, or crusty bread that almost doesn’t make it to the table? Go to the comments and tell us about your best (or worst) kitchen successes. We have all been there.
Have fun cooking, and I hope your oval Dutch oven meals are tasty!