I’ve put the best ceramic Dutch oven through rigorous cooking tests to see how it stacks up against traditional options.
When considering the best ceramic Dutch oven, home cooks are increasingly looking for ceramic options over traditional cast iron, enamel-coated cast iron, or stainless steel cookware. While many heritage brands have long dominated the market, Xtrema’s new ceramic Dutch oven is challenging the status quo with its innovative 100% ceramic construction. This shift in preference highlights the evolving tastes and needs of modern kitchens, where health-conscious and performance-driven choices are becoming more prominent.
Benefits of Dutch Ovens
Dutch ovens are a workhorse in home and professional kitchens alike. The good ones are passed down from generation to generation as heirloom statement pieces. They’re famous for their utility of going from stovetop to oven to table, or even cooking over an open campfire or grill thanks to their heat retention and ability to withstand high temperatures. Their excellent thermal properties make them suitable for various cooking methods, from slow-cooking to high-heat searing.
Cooking Versatility
The right Dutch oven, whether it’s a small or large size Dutch oven,, can cook everything from slow-cooked soups, stews, roasts, chilis, breads, to mac and cheese or Sunday’s cinnamon rolls, casseroles, braised meats, and seared meat and vegetables. You can even perfectly cook chicken thighs or brown meat for stir fries. Plus, you can make delicious pan sauces with the yummy brown bits and leftover juices. All of this translates into flavor-rich meals while using fewer pots and pans and an easier cleanup, which everyone loves.
Choosing the Right Dutch Oven
When choosing a Dutch oven, consider factors like size, shape, and material. Round Dutch ovens are versatile for most recipes, while an oval-shaped Dutch oven can be great for longer cuts of meat. The oval shape is particularly useful for roasting whole chickens or large cuts of meat. Some models feature a flat lid, which can be useful for certain cooking techniques. Ceramic Dutch ovens, like Xtrema’s innovative 100% ceramic model, offer unique benefits over cast iron, enamel-coated cast iron, or stainless steel, including non-toxic, non-reactive surfaces. These ceramic pieces of cookware are excellent for cooking acid foods without worrying about toxins leaching into food.
Read on to find out how Xtrema’s new classic oval ceramic Dutch Oven stands out on crowded shelves.
Here’s What I Cooked in Xtrema’s Non-Toxic Dutch Oven
I cooked everything from a big pot of brothy beans, chicken vegetable soup, roasted a whole chicken, lasagna soup, and more. The big pot of beans came out ridiculously delicious, soft, and tender. Made with borlotti beans, carrots, onions, celery, garlic, fresh herbs, EVOO, salt and pepper. These cider-braised white beans with rosemary would work incredibly in this pot as well.
Because the Dutch oven isn’t made with metal, there was no need to worry about cooking an acidic dish like lasagna soup with a tomato base and having it take on a metallic flavor. Each dish came out with clean, rich, real whole foods flavors.
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My Experience Cooking With Xtrema’s Oval Dutch Oven
Because this oven excels at heat retention, I generally find that I don’t need to cook things on as high of a heat as I usually do. That same heat retention also makes it a great tool that can go from stovetop or oven to table, double as a serving piece, while keeping everything warm, for a long time. Really.
This Dutch oven retains heat so well that when I cooked a soup, I turned off the heat, and twenty minutes later, the soup was still slightly simmering. Keep reading to find out why.
I roasted a whole chicken with baby rainbow potatoes, carrots, and garlic with the lid on. Knowing what I know about this Dutch oven’s heat retention, I decided to check the chicken fifteen minutes before it’s usually done. And my gut was right, and it was at temperature.
I then put it under the broiler for another 3-4 minutes to quickly brown the bird. The result? One of the most moist whole chickens I’ve cooked in years.
And the vegetables and the au jus? Outstanding. The vegetables were fork tender, and the au jus deliciously rich. There was no need to reduce it further, it had enough flavor on its own.
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Typical Dutch Oven Construction
The best Dutch oven has excellent heat retention while locking in moisture. This allows you to make bread that is both crusty while retaining its moisture
Dutch ovens can be made of cast iron, enamel-coated cast iron, or stainless steel. Most Dutch ovens today are made from cast iron with an enamel coating and have few things in common. They’re heavy, and the interiors have a light enamel coating. Depending on how strong you are, the weight may not be an issue.
Also, many Dutch ovens have a light-colored (white or cream) enamel interior, which makes it easy to see what you’re cooking. However, it scratches and scars easily and even develops small hairline cracks known as crazing. And, over time, as it’s used more and more, the interior will turn brown (I have several, and it’s true). If it doesn’t bother you, it may not be an issue. It always bothered me.
On the other hand, Dutch ovens with dark interiors don’t show discoloration, scratches, or heavy use, which is what I prefer. They’re also easier to keep clean.
Credit: Xtrema
The lid is an essential factor when choosing a Dutch oven, too. You want a tight lid with some sort of spikes or knobs that will redirect condensation back into whatever it is you’re cooking to help maintain moisture-rich food. Most lids drive condensation down the walls of the pot, which is what you don’t want. Here’s where the low end Dutch ovens fall short as well.
Have a question about Dutch oven cooking for Laura? Please leave it in the comments below and she’ll share her expert tips!
Xtrema’s All Ceramic Construction
Credit: Xtrema Cookware
Material and Safety
Xtrema’s Dutch oven is different. There’s no metal core — it’s not raw cast iron or an enameled Dutch oven like other brands. Xtrema’s Dutch oven is made from 100% pure ceramic, crafted from clay, water, and natural oxides, and triple-fired at 2,500 degrees. They’re non-toxic, certified PFAS, PTFE, and PFOA-free, and California Prop 65 compliant. The company has put extensive effort into design and durability testing to ensure a high-quality product.
There’s no worry that a coating will flake into your food, leach heavy metals, or react with acidic foods like tomato bases or red wine sauces. Unlike traditional cast iron pots, you don’t need to be concerned about enamel quality or finish. Fun fact: Xtrema is one of only two cookware companies in the world that craft their cookware from all ceramic materials. The other company only makes bakeware.
Weight and Ease of Use
Because of its all-ceramic construction, the Xtrema Dutch oven is much lighter weight. No heavy lifting is required, even with larger Dutch ovens. Despite being lighter, it retains all the qualities you love in classic cast iron Dutch ovens.
Size and Shape Variety
Xtrema’s Dutch ovens come in various sizes and shapes, including round models, to suit different cooking needs. Their unique construction provides excellent heat distribution across the cooking area, rivaling even Dutch oven options from well-known brands.
Heat Distribution and Performance
America’s Test Kitchen often evaluates factors like wall thickness and performance on different cooktops, including induction cooktops. While we don’t have their specific results for Xtrema, the pot’s longevity is backed by the company’s warranty. The ceramic construction makes it an excellent conductor of heat, suitable for various heat sources.
Care and Maintenance
For care, while many Dutch ovens require special maintenance, Xtrema recommends hand washing with warm water for easy cleanup. Using mild dish soap and avoiding abrasive materials will help maintain the cooking surface. Proper care ensures the durability of the ceramic coating.
Here’s Why This Dutch Oven Excels at Heat Retention
Because this Dutch oven retains heat like nothing I’ve ever seen, I had to reach out to the Xtrema family team and ask why the heat retention is so good! Here’s what Erik Bergstrom, Xtrema’s Digital Media Manager, shared.
“Ceramics are great at insulating heat, which is why our products hold heat as well as they do even after you shut the burner off.”
That being said, he added that ceramics are not ideal for reaching high temperatures quickly. Tip: this is where your stainless or carbon steel pan comes in for that quick high heat.
However, once your desired temperature is reached, and the pot is fully heated through, not only does Xtrema’s 100% pure ceramic cookware maintain heat even after the flame is off, but you can also cook at lower temperatures and achieve the same result.
The Xtrema team also shared that flameware, the newer type of ceramic pottery that’s used to make their cookware, excels at improved conductivity (more than other ceramics), at resisting the shock of an open flame and heat retention. It also makes it more durable, scratch resistant, and easy to clean. All tested and true.
Good to Know When Cooking With Xtrema 100% Ceramic Cookware
Credit: Laura Klein and Organic Authority Studio
Here are some things to keep in mind when cooking with Xtrema’s Dutch oven and cookware. You want to avoid drastic temperature changes. In other words, you don’t want to take a fully heated Dutch oven and put it in cold water. That could cause some damage.
You’ll want to heat it up gradually — think about it like preheating an oven. I start it on low heat for the first 3-5 minutes, and then add oil and start to turn up the temperature. This also creates a naturally nonstick surface that works! I’ve tested it with eggs and they come out beautifully. It’s also great for cooking rice or simmering cooking liquid for stews and braises.
Stay away from metal utensils and stick with wooden, silicone, or nylon utensils to preserve the life of the interior and avoid scratches, nicks, and the like. This is particularly important when stirring or removing bread crumbs that might stick to the bottom.
When it comes to cleaning it, cleanup is easy. I hand wash mine with simple soap, water and a soft brush (I don’t like putting cookware in the dishwasher because it prolongs its life). The Dutch oven is dishwasher safe though. If you do get stuck on food, use the old baking soda and water trick. Put over low heat, use a wooden utensil to help remove stuck on food and wash as usual.
Follow these simple guidelines, and your Xtrema Dutch oven is guaranteed to become a family heirloom passed down from generation to generation.
Is Xtrema’s Ceramic Dutch Oven Worth It?
Credit: Image courtesy of Xtrema
As a professionally trained chef who’s been testing cookware for over ten years, I can confidently say that Xtrema’s ceramic dutch oven offers unique advantages that make it worth considering. Unlike traditional enameled cast iron dutch ovens, Xtrema’s 100% ceramic construction provides excellent heat retention without the worry of enamel chipping or flaking into your food. Its lighter weight compared to cast iron pots makes it easier to handle, especially for those who find heavy pots challenging.
Xtrema’s Dutch oven stands out with its dark interior, which doesn’t show discoloration or scratches like the light-colored enamel interiors of many other dutch ovens. The matte finish on the exterior adds to its modern aesthetic. This feature, combined with its consistent heat distribution and ability to withstand high temperatures, makes it an excellent choice for various cooking methods, from slow cooking to bread baking.
The Utility of Xtrema’s Oval Dutch Oven
It can go from stovetop to oven to table. You can sear, slow cook, braise, and use it on a hot grill or over a campfire. It also has a dark matte black interior that’s easy to clean — and keep clean. Also, you won’t have to worry about the interior degrading and turning a hazy brown over time.
I also love the flat, tight-fitting lid with knobs on the underside that helps redirect condensation back into the dish. This ensures breads, soups, stews, and braises come out with rich, deep flavors.
It Has a Fresh Modern Design
The modern design aesthetic of the Classic Oval Dutch oven also sets it apart. The black matte fluted exterior with the high shine lid and handles elevates it into its own modern design category that very few, if any, Dutch ovens fit into today.
Bonus, you don’t need a few weight lifting sessions to be able to move your Dutch oven from the oven, to the table. It’s the ideal candidate to become the Dutch oven, that’s passed down from generation to generation.
Versatility in Cooking
Xtrema’s Dutch oven, while unique in its ceramic construction, still maintains the common shapes and sizes that home cooks are familiar with. This versatility allows for a wide range of cooking applications. Whether you’re simmering a few cups of water for a quick pasta dish or slow-cooking a hearty stew, the Dutch oven performs admirably. Its design considers the needs of everyday cooking while offering the benefits of ceramic construction.
Beyond soups and stews, this Dutch oven is also suitable for deep frying and deep fat frying. Its excellent heat retention and even heat distribution make it ideal for maintaining consistent oil temperatures, crucial for achieving perfectly crispy results.
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Xtrema’s Warranty & Return Satisfaction Guarantee
Xtrema offers a 10-year limited warranty and a forever replacement program, which is impressive! Here’s what it involves. You simply contact their customer support, submit a ticket, and follow their instructions for verification. The first replacement is free! After that, subsequent replacements come at a 30% discount. I haven’t met another cookware company that offers this.
Xtrema also offers a 40-day return satisfaction guarantee. That means you have a 40-day trial period where they accept returns and exchanges within the United States.
Xtrema’s Classic Oval Dutch Oven Specs:
This ceramic Dutch oven exemplifies Xtrema’s commitment to American design, blending functionality with aesthetics. Its sleek black finish and scalloped detail create a modern beauty with a traditional, heirloom feel. While this model showcases a sophisticated black exterior, Xtrema offers a variety of colors in other product lines to suit different kitchen styles. The classic oval shape, curved profile, and larger handles make it easy to maneuver, even with pot holders, embodying the brand’s innovative approach for cookware.
Credit: Xtrema
- 7.5qt
- 12 lbs
- Height: 6.3”
- Width: 10”
- Length: 16.5”
Price: $297.49
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Laura is a trained chef with roots in the organic food movement and brings intelligence, intoxicating energy and girl-next-door… More about Laura Klein, Chef & Wellness Expert
