What Is An Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven

A Brief History of the Dutch Oven

Dutch ovens were created around 1710 by a man named Abraham Darby, an Englishman who worked with brass before discovering that he could sell a lot of cookware if he replaced that brass with much cheaper cast iron. He learned what he referred to as “the Dutch process” of casting iron in sand and called his invention the “Dutch oven” because of its thick walls, heavy lid, and tight closure.

Dutch ovens have evolved over the years, seeing things like the addition (and eventual removal) of legs, a flattening of the lid (using a design by Paul Revere, of all people!), and size modifications to make them more portable for people like Lewis and Clark, who took one with them when they went exploring the American Northwest in 1804.

Now, the design has been adapted even further to suit today’s chefs and home cooks. Take, for example, Made In’s Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven, which combines the classic features of the original design with modern craftsmanship.

What Makes an Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven Different?

An enameled cast iron Dutch oven is different from a raw cast iron Dutch oven because of its enamel coating, which is applied to both the exterior and the interior cooking surface. Enamel is essentially glass melted under intense heat to create a nonstick layer on unfinished cast iron. This layer offers protection against rust or corrosion and provides a nonreactive cooking surface.With enameled cast iron Dutch ovens, no seasoning of the pan is necessary and clean-up is a breeze. The enamel also makes it possible to have a wide variety of fun colors to match your personality and/or kitchen.

Beneath its beautiful enamel coating, the cast iron core of an enameled cast iron Dutch oven retains heat to perfection, ensuring even cooking no matter what’s for dinner. This update also brings the original Dutch oven into the 21st century, with Made In’s Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven being compatible not just with the standard stove and oven, but also with induction cooktops. Made In uses premium enamel that is durable and resistant to chipping, making it a pan you can use daily for decades to come.

Why Choose a Made In Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven?

Made In’s Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven features superior craftsmanship, a durable enamel finish, and a modern, thoughtful design that is crafted to elevate every cooking experience. Built by expert craftsmen in Northeast France, Made In’s Enameled Cast Iron offers precise heat retention to enable the user to cook a wide variety of foods to perfection, as well as ergonomically designed handles to make moving the pan from stove to oven to counter easy and safe. Made In also offers multiple size options for its Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven, as well as our proprietary Cloud Cover Lid, whose small dimples trap moisture and send it back down into your food.

Made In’s Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven stands out among the rest thanks to its durability, its comfortable, ergonomic design, its expert craftsmanship and, most of all, its high level of customer satisfaction. Customers rave about both its beauty and its quality on the Made In product page. A review from a user named Larry C’s reads: “It was a delight to cook in. [Excellent] heat distribution. And the finish on the outside makes it something we would rather leave on the counter, this does not deserve to be hidden away.” Reviewers at Vice add that Made In’s Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven is "powerful enough to thoroughly cook the thickest of stews without burning them, but somehow also keeps a light, delicate touch.”

How to Use an Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven Effectively

Made In’s Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven is designed for both beginners and experienced cooks, thanks to its ease of use and maintenance. With exceptional heat retention and even cooking, it excels at simmering, slow cooking, braising, soups, and even baking dinner rolls. It’s also great for searing meat and vegetables—just allow it time to preheat, since it heats more slowly than Carbon Steel or Stainless Clad cookware. Its steady, less-responsive nature is part of the charm, holding heat beautifully once it’s up to temperature.

An enameled finish means that you never have to worry about a seasoning process like you do with cast iron because Made In’s Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven already has nonstick properties. It also means that you can use soap when cleaning—you won’t risk removing the seasoning like with bare cast iron.

Caring for Your Made In Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven

Unlike with bare cast iron pans, caring for your Made In Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven couldn’t be easier. Just avoid using metal utensils that may scratch the enameled surface and don’t subject the pan to extreme thermal shocks (moving it from very cold to very hot temperatures quickly). Enameled cast iron Dutch ovens are hand wash only, and make sure to avoid using abrasive cleaners, sponges, or scrubbers, which, like metal utensils, may scratch the enamel. If any staining occurs, use a specially formulated cleaner for enameled cast iron, or make a 1:1 paste of baking soda and water to lightly scrub any discoloration away. For burnt on messes, add water and a few tablespoons of baking soda to the Dutch oven, bring to a boil, and scrape gently with a wooden or silicone spatula.

Made In’s Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven comes with a Lifetime Warranty, so you can rest assured that your pan is safe and will last for decades with proper care and maintenance. Made In’s customer support is also always available if you have any doubts or concerns.

Why Invest in a Made In Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven?

Investing in Made In’s Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven means investing in a durable, versatile kitchen tool that is made to enhance everyday cooking and built to last a lifetime. Its timeless design means its aesthetic will never go out of style, nor will its usefulness. This Dutch oven is durable, versatile, and made by a company that is committed to quality and responsible manufacturing. You can purchase Made In’s products with confidence, knowing that they are from a brand you can trust and whose good reputation among both professional chefs and home cooks has been well-earned.

Are you ready to try out Made In’s Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven for yourself? Shop both our oval and round options now.