Cocotte vs Dutch Oven: What Is the Difference Between?

You may come across Cocotte and Dutch oven when going shopping through the cookware aisle. At first glance, these cookwares look similar to one another, but in fact, they are quite different in a number of ways. This article will give you a greater understanding of these cookwares. Scroll down for more helpful information!

• Dutch oven vs Roaster: Details comparison
• Cocotte vs Dutch oven: What’s different? Which better?

What is a Cocotte? 

Cocotte has firstly origin in France and other parts of Europe. This cookware is a type of enameled cast iron pot, it has a big and wide dimension that typically has a circular or oval form. Cocotte is typically crafted from porcelain that can suffer from high temperatures; the enamel covers it with the aim of avoiding sticking when cooking. 

Thanks to its huge size, you can put all the ingredients you want at once in this pot. Baking, braising, stewing and boiling are typically used for cocotte in the kitchen. If you want, it’s totally fine to make a huge pasta meal for a large group of people in only a single pot!

Pros and Cons 

Pros: 

• Great durability thanks to cast-iron properties.
• The lids highly fit tight, which allows liquids to reach a boil in a short time, helping shorten the cooking process. 
• Able to withstand high temperatures for lengthy periods of time.
• Available in a wide range of sizes to meet your specific requirements. 

Cons: 

• Because it is covered with enamel, which may quickly lead to a break or chip if not well cared for.
• This pot is quite heavy which can make it a little bit challenging to keep them in the cabinets or pantries and to take them out when needed. 

What is Dutch Oven?

The Dutch oven, also known as a French oven, is a thick-walled cooking pot with handles and a tight-fitting top. This cookware is typically made of cast iron and coated in enamel inside. But nowadays, the material is more diverse, such as stoneware, cast aluminum, or ceramic. 

This is a popular pot that is almost present in every kitchen room because of its vertical properties. It is often used for searing, roasting, and sautéing. You can use a Dutch oven on the stovetop as well as in the oven, making it available for a wide range of recipes and cooking techniques.

Pros and Cons 

Pros: 

• Quite easy to use and clean, and it tends to last a lifetime or more. 
• Cast iron is a great healthy alternative to nonstick cookware because it contains no chemicals.
• The tight lids help preserve and retain the moisture of the foods.
• Place on the stovetop and heat to a high temperature. It can also use inside an oven and charcoals.

Cons:

• Easily prone to damage if not used properly.
• Quite expensive, a quality Dutch oven can range in price from $100 to $500. 
• Dutch ovens are typically made of cast iron or enameled cast iron, which makes them relatively heavy. 

Cocotte vs Dutch oven 

As we mentioned above, the Dutch oven and Cocotte are both made of iron-cast material and often used for many techniques of cooking. However, there are some points that make them distinct from each other, look at the chart below for more information.

FAQ

Can a cocotte go in the oven?

Yes, a cocotte can go in the oven. But keep in mind that you should avoid using it in a hot oven because this way can cause the pot to break. To avoid cracking, brush some oil on the cocotte and place it at a reasonable temperature in the oven.

Is a cocotte the same as a casserole?

Actually no. France people often refer to a cocotte as a casserole when wanting to

describe it in English;  however in their mind term “casserole” refers to the type of pot, not a recipe/dish as it could in the US. Baked dishes, or casseroles to Americans, are referred to as “cassoulet” in French.

Why are Dutch ovens so popular?

A Dutch oven serves as a multi-cooker with exceptional pressure cooking. It is suitable for simple and complex dishes such as braising meat, making soups and stews, baking bread, or deep-frying poultry. In addition, because this pot is ovenproof, you can finish your delicious dish in the oven.

Can you use a Dutch oven on a glass-top stove?

Yes, cooking food in a Dutch oven on a glass-top stove is easy and effective. But there is something you should consider to protect both the stove and the pot. To avoid scratching or damaging the glass surface of a stove, it’s recommended to use a Dutch oven with a flat bottom to prevent dragging it on the glass. A trivet or a heat-resistant surface beneath the Dutch oven can help to protect the glass top from heat damage.

What is the most commonly used Dutch oven size?

A typical Dutch oven is 5 1/2 quarts, a great size for making sourdough bread. The most common sizes are a 5-quart or 7-quart Dutch oven, which can comfortably for a family with 4 people.

Above is the overall view of Cocotte and the Dutch oven and the difference between them. In general, what works best for you is totally up to you, based on your preference and uses. Hopefully, this article is helpful for you. Thanks for reading!

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