Crockpot/Slow Cooker vs. Dutch Oven?

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kiwitwist

Saved 4/30/08 to Kitchen Goddess

Crockpot/Slow Cooker vs. Dutch Oven?

I was wondering if there is a major difference between a dutch oven and a crockpot?? I have come across a lot of recipes that ask for the use of a dutch oven. I looked up the price of one and it was quite a shocker. So, can I use my crockpot instead? Or do you find a dutch oven a must have? Thanks!

Crockpot

Dutch Oven

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bigskyz 6 days 16 h

Here is some great info on Slow Cooker vs Dutch Oven :) http://blog.williams-sonoma.com/slow-cooker-vs-dutch-oven-a-conversion-guide/

robinmsing 3 years 4 weeks

Anyone know what the trade off is in time - like if a recipie calls for an hour simmer how long for a crock pot? Add pork butt to Dutch oven and cook over high heat until browned on all sides and then you add other stuff and let it simmer for an hour.. do we just put everything in the crock pot with the pork butt and let it all simmer for 4 hours?

SavageBeast 3 years 22 weeks

set the oven to 225 and place the dutch over inside. comeback in six hours.. you do not need to cook stove top with them. they are made for the oven ergo, thick heavy walls the radiate heat evenly..

audreystar 3 years 23 weeks

Williams Sonoma is having a sale on all Le Creuset but it ends today. 20% off. There is free shipping as well.

kiwitwist 3 years 23 weeks

Audrey - I use my dutch oven on my glass top stove all the time but I don't move it around a great deal.

leabythesea 3 years 23 weeks

I use my cast iron cookware on my induction stove and have had no problems. I wouldn't slam it down of course. :D

audreystar 3 years 23 weeks

Question, can you use a dutch oven on a glass top stove? I don't use my cast iron skillets anymore since I have a glass stovetop. I wasn't sure since it was enameled if that helped.

bykerbank 3 years 23 weeks

I have all 3 including pressure cooker and they all have there uses. Its really hard to say what I prefer but a good pressure cooker will do everything the others will do but of course you can't put in the stove, but I must admit I use crock pot and Dutch oven alot but pressure cooking is cheaper and way faster than the other two

kiwitwist 5 years 1 week

Wow thanks!

CoconutPie 5 years 2 weeks

For those of you who are looking to buy a dutch oven, Le Creuset Factory Outlets are having a great sale (May 1 – 22). Purchase $125, Get 20% Off Entire Purchase Purchase $200, Get 25% Off Entire Purchase Purchase $300, Get 30% Off Entire Purchase I just got one this afternoon - 6 3/4 qt. Kiwi (lime green) oval French oven. Retail price normally is $290.00. I got one with minor defects (in the color, can't even see it) and paid $149.00 after the rebate (normally $199.00 at the factory outlet store).

CiaoBella 5 years 2 weeks

I have both, but tend to use my Le Creuset dutch oven more often than crock pot. For a good deal on Le Creuset look for a list of their outlet stores online or sometimes you might find a piece or two of theirs at TJ Maxx or Home Goods stores.

MissyCat 5 years 2 weeks

I have both, but my crockpot definitely gets used more since I can leave it on...and then leave the house.

kiwitwist 5 years 2 weeks

Thanks everyone!

AuntieCelia 5 years 2 weeks

If you ever are in a rush, I find a pressure cooker makes meat tender and cooks items quickly. I had to throw away the one I used to can with, I got a new one that I love dearly.

BeautiJunki 5 years 3 weeks

I used my Le Creuset (medium size in FLAME) for everything and still do for a lot of things like Persian style rice with the crispy bottom to stews and roasts, but I received an all clad slow cooker (crock pot) as a wedding gift and it is my new best friend. I love making chicken adobo in it, I prep everything the night before and pop it in the slow cooker before I walk out the door and viola i walk though the door to a yummy and hot dinner. You can do corn beef and stews in either. Hope you find what you're looking for.

sofi 5 years 3 weeks

great info desertbanshee. you guys gave me a good idea- I'll check Ross next time I am there.

kiwitwist 5 years 3 weeks

Thanks everyone!!

Twinkle 5 years 3 weeks

I don't own a crock pot but I do like the idea of being able to leave the house while my dinner is cooking. I suppose you could use a crock pot instead of a dutch oven for most things, just let it cook longer. Do check out the IKEA line of cast iron cookware Finn mentioned above.

kymmeisme 5 years 3 weeks

Every time I hear the words "dutch over"..I shudder....

desertbanshee 5 years 3 weeks

This is from America's Test Kitchen: "A good Dutch oven (variously called a stockpot, round oven, French oven, or casserole) is a kitchen essential. Heavier and thicker than stockpots, allowing them to retain and conduct heat more effectively, and deeper than a skillet, so they can handle large cuts of meat and cooking liquid, Dutch ovens are the best choice for braises, pot roasts, and stews, as they can go on the stovetop to sear foods and then into the oven to finish cooking. Their tall sides make them useful for deep-frying, and many cooks press Dutch ovens into service for jobs like boiling pasta. For our first test, we prepared a beef stew that starts on the stovetop and then moves to the oven. In each pan, we browned cubes of beef in batches, and as the meat seared, we observed whether the pan heated evenly and consistently without burning the drippings. After the long, slow cooking in the oven, we tasted the stew to see if the meat had become fork-tender and the broth had reduced to intense flavor. Of all the tests we did, this was the most important, because it focused on the unique abilities of Dutch ovens. *** Shelling out hundreds of dollars for a Dutch oven is less necessary than ever. We put two new low-cost models, one from Tramontina ($39.86) and another from Lodge ($49.86), to the test and liked what we found. Both are crafted from enameled cast iron, and both produced glossy, deeply flavored Belgian beef stew; fluffy white rice; and crispy French fries in the test kitchen. But the Tramontina oven's larger capacity (6.5 quarts to the Lodge's 6 quarts) and even lower price made it our preferred choice. We recommend the Tramontina as an inexpensive alternative to our favorite 71/4-quart Dutch oven by Le Creuset ($229.95)."

CoconutPie 5 years 3 weeks

My comment was flagged. :( Just check the Ikea website in the Kitchen section, under cooking- specialty cookware. They have two Dutch ovens. One is $49,99 and the other one is $59,99.

colormesticky 5 years 3 weeks

True, jconcep. They're about $100 for a 5-7 quart at Kohl's. They'd probably be cheaper at either of those places, or Ross. Overstock.com has a really old school looking 9 quart for I think $51. But it's huge, not enameled, and the handle is like an antique. It'd be ideal for camping, but unless you have a big family I don't know that something so huge is necessary.

jconcep 5 years 3 weeks

i'd also suggest checking out marshall's or tj maxx for dutch ovens. :-)

hvanness331 5 years 3 weeks

Am I old enough to even own a Dutch Oven? Don't you have to be over age 65? (joke) I have no idea about the differences, but if my Grandma were still alive, I bet she could tell you in a heartbeat. She was all about her Dutch Oven

lisabunny 5 years 3 weeks

Dutch ovens are expensive, but it will last forever so it's a one time cost. I like the slow cooker because I feel comfortable leaving it on when I am not home. I don't feel that way about the regular oven.