Dutch Oven vs. Crock Pot: Which Is Better?

Crock pots have been a kitchen favorite for quite some time with their hands-off cooking abilities. Now, however, they have more competition with a similar cookware that’s been gaining popularity: the Dutch Oven.

Both cookwares have a plethora of benefits to them, but nothing is more frustrating than adding more items to your already cluttered kitchen. So which one should you get?

Let's discuss and set the record straight on which is better: a Dutch Oven or a crock pot.

Dutch Oven vs. Crock Pot

Although they have similarities, Dutch Ovens and crock pots have stark differences that separate the two of them.

Known to be the original slow cooker, Dutch Ovens are thick-walled cooking pots that come with tight-fitting lids and are usually made out of seasoned or enameled cast iron, aluminum, or ceramic.

Although similar in size, shape, and function, crock pots hold a major key difference to this cookware. While Dutch Ovens can be used on a stovetop and in an oven, crock pots are a countertop electrical cooking appliance, and therefore don’t go on stovetops or in ovens.

Both of these cookware types can be used for long roasting cooking, such as in making soups, stews, and casserole dishes. For other tasks such as braising and browning, a Dutch Oven would be the better vessel.

Which Is Better

Now that you know the differences, which cookware is better: Dutch Ovens or crock pots? Each one has its respective advantages, but at the end of the day, you get more out of Dutch Ovens than anything else.

Here we highlight why Dutch Ovens are better than crock pots.

Capacity

When preparing a dish, it’s crucial to select the appropriate cookware according to how many mouths you’re feeding. A meal for a larger crowd would call for larger cookware while cooking for just one or two people wouldn’t require as big of a vessel.

Dutch Ovens and crock pots come in various sizes ranging from one quart to 13 quarts. A logical move would be to own two sizes of each cookware to accommodate a variety of serving sizes. However, with the Caraway Dutch Oven, you can get the most out of just one kitchen essential.

Our Dutch Oven is the perfect in-between size that can be used to cook for any number of people. It can hold 6.5 quarts and is perfect for bigger families or just a party of two. So rather than having various sizes of the same cookware, opt for the multifunctional vessel.

Durability

Investing in a Dutch Oven is the best way to go, considering how durable and long-lasting they are. With electric cookware such as crock pots, there’s a higher risk of them failing. However, with Dutch Ovens, all you need is proper maintenance to make it last decades.

There is one material that stands out amongst the rest: ceramic cookware. Ceramic creates a naturally non-stick coating on the cookware, which helps to ensure that food doesn’t get stuck on it. This coating works significantly better than traditional non-stick cookware and can therefore make your cookware last longer.

Healthy Living

The ceramic coating that our cookware has can do more than just create a slick cooking surface. There’s also an added long-term benefit that ultimately results in a healthier lifestyle.

Traditional non-stick cookware obtains its non-stick abilities not through a natural material but rather through coatings filled with chemicals. Teflon, for example, is the brand name for a chemical called PTFE.

It is also known to contain other chemicals, such as PFAS and PFOAs. When ingested, these toxic chemicals can result in health risks such as thyroid disease and cancer.

All of the Caraway products are made from non-toxic ceramic and are free of PTFE, PFOA, PFAS, cadmium, lead, and other toxic metals. So with ceramic cookware, you can access the wonderful non-stick properties without those potential health risks. It may seem too good to be true, so we are happy to send the chemical testing reports to anyone who wants to do some research into our ceramic cookware.

Ceramic also has better heat retention and thermal conductivity, which means that your Dutch Oven can cook food evenly without any cold or undercooked spots.

Additionally, since the ceramic coating works so well on its own to ensure that food glides around the cooking surface, you don’t have to use excessive amounts of oil to grease your Dutch Oven. Because of all of this, you can embrace a healthier and safer lifestyle when cooking with ceramic cookware.

Caraway in Style

If you’re convinced that a Dutch Oven would be the best addition to your kitchen, wait until you hear about the added benefits that come with our Ceramic Cookware.

The Caraway Dutch Oven, as well as our other products, are your one-way ticket to minimalistic, aesthetically pleasing, and intentional living. Here, we highlight how our cookware can bring a spark of style into your kitchen space.

Everything You Need, Nothing You Don’t

If there’s one thing you can take away from our cookware, it’s that they can provide you with everything that you need and everything you don’t. We mentioned earlier that the Dutch Oven could take on several different cooking functions. If you’re looking to take that up a notch, our Cookware Set is a guaranteed essential for intentional living.

We’ve whittled down a 16-piece set into just four versatile items—one of which is the Dutch Oven. With this set, you can take on a variety of cooking tasks with just a few items in your kitchen.

This is especially great if you’re looking to reduce the amount of clutter you have in your kitchen. In fact, within our set, the Dutch Oven has the same lid as the Fry Pan, which is a multifunctionality you never knew you needed.

A Splash of Color

With traditional cookware, you don’t have a lot of color options other than your basic gray and black. Colorful cookware options may seem like an added bonus rather than a necessity. But with an effortless splash of color, your kitchen can be transformed into an aesthetically pleasing space.

Our Cream, Navy, and Gray options are extremely popular neutral colors for those aiming for a modern and industrial appearance. These colors are especially flattering in spaces that have darker cabinets.

For more boho-inspired and Instagram-worthy kitchen styles, our Perracotta, Sage, and Marigold never disappoint. If you’re in the holiday spirit and want cookware that fits the season, our Brick Red Cookware would be perfect.

Ease and Convenience

Everyone looks forward to doing their dishes and putting them away at the end of the night, and our cookware creates an experience full of ease and convenience.

Given that our Dutch Oven is made of ceramic, you won’t have to put in too much effort when cleaning it. All you need is some soapy water and a gentle cloth or sponge to gently brush the food off of the cookware—no intense or excessive scrubbing necessary.

Not only that, but our Cookware Set comes with two storage units so you can easily store your cookware. The Magnetic Pan Rack and Canvas Lid Holder are huge assets when you’re staying small. Plus, they also come in handy when you don't want to drill holes into cabinets. Say goodbye to clutter and long evenings of cleaning your cookware, and opt for ease and convenience with the Cookware Set.

All in One Dutch Oven

When looking for the best Dutch Ovens and crock pots to add to your kitchen, there are multiple aspects to think about. Consider versatility, style, ease, and minimalism to pick out the best Dutch Oven that can meet all your kitchen needs and more.

Sources: Why You Shouldn't Buy a Slow Cooker | Serious Eats We Tried 5 Methods for Cleaning Dutch Ovens and Found a Clear Winner | The Kitchn How to Create a Minimalist Kitchen | The Spruce Eats