You’ve decided that it’s time to bring a Dutch oven into your culinary repertoire. And you’re already thinking about the braised meals and bakes you’re going to be whipping up. However, there is one matter that you need to decide before you pick up a new Dutch Oven. It’s important to know what size you’ll need before purchasing. Choosing the correct size is especially important with Dutch Ovens due to cast iron cookware being so heavy.
Table of contents
- Consideration to choosing the correct size
- How I selected the best sizes Dutch Ovens
- Recommend size chart from Le Creuset
- Ideal Dutch Oven size for individual use
- Which size cast-iron Dutch Oven is best for two people
- Which size is best for family cooking
- Dutch Ovens for large families and group cooking
- What is the best Dutch Oven size for senior citizens
- Cooking bread in cast-iron
- Sizing tips
- Conclusion
How are the sizes selected?
The sizes for my recommendations are from my experience using and collecting cast-iron cookware. I have Dutch Ovens in various sizes, from small to very large. And I understand the weight and size can affect the usability of the oven.
In this article, I have only selected sizes based on round Dutch Ovens. As I feel users get more versatility and enjoyment from using a round Dutch Oven.
How do I know what size Dutch oven to buy?
How much food do you cook?
The answer comes down to how and why you cook. You might not want to go any larger than you need to based on your average meal portions.
You’ll also get a much tighter, flavorful cooking experience if your food is nicely packed into a Dutch oven.
Think about how you want to use your Dutch oven
Do you often have a crowd over for dinner? If you buy an oven, you might want to make enough for leftovers the next day. Then it will be better to get a larger capacity oven.
Big Ovens are not necessarily the better choice
Trust me, I know it’s easy to get carried away by the larger ovens. They look great, and it’s an easy justification to say, “well, it might need this size someday.”
But the truth is larger pots can be simply overwhelming if you’re new to cast iron cooking. Purchase an oven too large, and it will likely make its new home in the back of the cardboard.
Larger ovens are almost always pricer than smaller pots of the same brand. And if you get a large pot, it can be more troublesome to move around in the sink if you need to give it a good scrubbing.
Which size Dutch oven do I need?
The following table is size recommendations by Le Creuset. It gives another opinion to which size is best. Personally I think the sizes are in the conservative side. Or maybe the French have better portion control.
Below the chart I have given my own suggestions on the ideal sizing for the number of people living in the household.
Table: Le Creuset size chart
| Serves | Size | Volume |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 18cm | 1.8 litres |
| 2-3 | 20cm | 2.4 litres |
| 3-4 | 22cm | 3.3 litres |
| 4-5 | 24cm | 4.2 litres |
| 6 | 26cm | 5.3 litres |
| 6-8 | 28cm | 6.7 litres |
| 8-10 | 30cm | 8.4 litres |
| 10-12 | 32cm | 12.4 litres |
The Best Size for Singles (recommendation 2.5 to 3 quarts)
A Dutch Oven is traditionally considered a family cooking pot. That’s unfortunate because there’s no reason not to use a Dutch Oven if you’re living by yourself.
Yes, Dutch ovens come in all sizes, including ovens ideal for one to two people. These smaller Dutch ovens are for regular oven use, but they also work wonders on the stovetop.
Choose a pot to cook for yourself and a friend
People that cook in small Dutch Ovens, find that they offer just the right size for popular dishes, such as macaroni and cheese, eggs, and curry dishes.
To cook Dutch Oven dishes and one-pot meals, you want an oven that’s going to hold at least 1 quart of liquid. I’d be more inclined to purchase a Dutch Oven around two quarts. That’s a similar size to an average saucepan.
This size oven will not be too heavy or cost a fortune. It will likely be a goto pot you’ll use for many dishes. And cleaning will be a breeze.
Of course, a larger Dutch oven that’s intended to feed four people is a better option if you cook and freeze leftovers. Or if you want to reduce your time in the kitchen and electric expenses.
The Best Dutch Oven Size for Couples (recommendation 3 to 4 quarts)
If you’ve become a pro at whipping up meals for two, a Dutch oven that’s just the right size for a couple should be on your radar.
Ideal Dutch oven when cooking for two
What is the right size Dutch oven for a couple looking to make the time spent cooking a meal worth their while? Generally, something in the range of 3 quarts to 4 quarts will create just enough for a meal to share.
Large portions and family gatherings
For some hardworking couples, a 3-4 quart oven may seem too measly. Or you might be looking ahead to potlucks, dinner parties, and family get-togethers.
Then you’re likely going to benefit from getting a bigger Duch Oven. Instead of 3 to 4 quarts, go for 5.5 quarts. This is my preferred family size Dutch Oven and will be a great size if you often have a few friends or family over for dinner.
But if you buy a big heavy oven, you’re unlikely to use it regularly. And you could be better off getting a second oven for entertaining or investing stockpot.
Stockpots and Dutch ovens are two great pots for social occasions. To learn the benefits of each, just click the link for an in-house article.
Think of a larger oven? Important takeaway
Getting a larger oven than you need is a judgment call where you compare convenience versus added benefits. For instance, going with that smaller Dutch oven will be nice to free up storage space. And you’ll also have an easier time handling and cleaning a smaller Dutch oven.
The Best Dutch Oven Size for Families (recommendation 5 to 6 quarts)
The place where most households are going to find themselves is that 5-quart to the 6-quart sweet spot. This is an acceptable size for making meals that serve four to six people with ease.
You can also simply scale down to leave more room when members of your household want to whip up single-serving options from time to time.
The fact that the 5to 6-quart range is an ideal family-size Dutch Oven doesn’t mean that carrying one of these cookers around the kitchen isn’t a feat. When looking at Dutch Ovens from afar, it’s easy to forget just how heavy these cookers are.
They can easily weigh close to 15 pounds empty. You can just imagine how heavy that becomes once you’ve filled yours with big chunks of meat and liquids.
The Ideal Size for Big Families (recommendation 6 to7 quarts or two 5 quart ovens)
There is always the “jumbo option” for Dutch ovens. Many cookware brands go up to 15 quarts. Also, there are steps between the popular 8-quart range and the 15-quart range.
This may be a worthy investment of space and money if you have a large family that loves big bakes.
A large Dutch oven can also be a great thing to have tucked away for a big annual family feast. Just keep in mind that these cookers can become extremely heavy once you get over 7 quarts.
Perfect Dutch Oven for Seniors (recommendation 2 to 2.5 quart)
Many seniors choose to convert or go back to Dutch Oven cooking once they realize how versatile and straightforward this option is. A Dutch Oven can go from burner to oven and is perfect for one-pot meals. It sure beats having to use multiple types of pans for a single dish.
Needless to say, if you are of a distinguished age, please be careful not to use Dutch ovens that are simply too heavy to be practical.
In many cases, something that’s 1.5 quarts and below can be an excellent option for making single-serving dishes with very little fuss at cleanup time.
A smaller size will also be easier to pick up and move. This is particularly important to consider when those aches and pains in the hands start to creep in.
A Note for Bread Bakers
If you’re buying a new Dutch Oven because you’re excited to use a Dutch oven for baking sourdough bread, you’ll need to be prepared for the bread to rise in the oven.
Bread can increase in size dramatically when cooked inside Dutch ovens. An oven will stop moisture escaping and will allow the dough to fully rise before developing a crust.
You’ll need to size up appropriately to accommodate for that increase in loaf size. For bread baking, I would to stick to the 5 to the 8-quart range. Allowing enough space for rising and crust formation.
If you are going to choose a Dutch Oven for bread making or any other purpose you need to decide if you want an enameled or seasoned oven. To learn which oven is right for you, click the link to learn more.
Some Tips for Picking the Right Dutch Oven
Choose small Oven If You Regularly Make:
- Oatmeal
- Eggs for breakfast
- Side dishes and sauces
- Rice
Choose a Medium-Sized Dutch Oven If You Regularly Make:
- Braised meats
- Stews
- Soups
- Baked dishes like chicken cacciatore
Choose a Large Oven If You Regularly Make:
- Large joints of meat
- Pulled pork
- Bulk cooking such as canning
Final Thoughts on Choosing the Right Size Dutch Oven for Singles, Families, Couples, and Seniors.
Choosing the right size for a Dutch oven is slightly more complicated than other cookware.
Purchasing a Dutch oven, you need to check the usability and practicality of the pot. Choosing something bulkier than you need will create unnecessary hassles every time you need to move your oven.
The general rule for buying the right-size Dutch oven is that 1 quart equals roughly one serving. This isn’t a perfect equation because certain foods are just sides or sauces. Additionally, personal eating habits make it impossible to quantify how many people a Dutch oven can feed.
Ultimately, these are all just guidelines based on anticipated use. However, I generally recommend upsizing if you’re in doubt. But also keep in mind the weight of the oven when you add food.
Keep the size practical, and you’ll get the full enjoyment from your cast iron Dutch Oven. Have fun.
Now that you have an idea on the right size for your needs, check out this article I wrote on the best Dutch Ovens for new and experienced users.
