As a seasoned restaurant chef with over ten years of experience, I’ve spent the last few months examining various Dutch ovens to find the best ones on the market. In this article, we’ll be focusing on a detailed comparison between the Crock Pot Dutch Oven and the Our Table Dutch Oven. We’ll assess these products based on several crucial aspects:
- Material
- Weight
- Heat retention and compatibility
- Lid fit
- Handles and product design
- Colors
- Maintenance and cleaning
- Durability and performance
- Warranty
- Price
Crock-Pot is a well-established and iconic brand with a long history, celebrated as the pioneer of the slow cooker. Let’s find out why this Dutch oven is a popular option among home cooks.
Our Table is a relatively newer entrant in the Dutch oven market, offering a range of cookware designed to cater to modern cooking needs. Although not as steeped in history as Lodge, this Dutch oven has quickly gained popularity for its innovative designs and functionality.
These two Dutch ovens made it into the TOP-5 best Dutch ovens available on the market today.
Join me in this comprehensive evaluation to discover which Dutch oven best suits your culinary needs.
Crock Pot VS Our table: Material
| Crock Pot | Our table |
|---|---|
| The Crock-Pot Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven is made of strong and durable cast iron. The enamel coating adds an elegant touch, prevents rust, and makes cleaning easy. | Our Table Dutch Ovens are constructed from enameled cast iron, offering the benefits of cast iron with an added layer of enamel for a non-stick surface and easier maintenance. |
Crock Pot VS Our table: Weight
| Crock Pot | Our table |
|---|---|
| Crock-Pot is a bit heavy. | These ovens are slightly lighter than traditional cast iron Dutch ovens, which can be a plus for those who prefer a more manageable weight. |
Crock Pot VS Our table: Heat Retention and Compatibility
| Crock Pot | Our table |
|---|---|
| The Crock Pot Dutch Oven is great in heat retention, maintaining a steady temperature. It is highly compatible with various heat sources, including gas, electric, ceramic, and induction cooktops, and it can handle high oven temperatures up to 500°F (260°C). | Our Table Dutch Ovens provide excellent heat retention and are compatible with various heat sources, including stovetops and ovens. |
Crock Pot VS Our table: Lid Fit
| Crock Pot | Our table |
|---|---|
| The Crock-Pot Dutch Oven includes a self-basting heavy lid, which helps maintain even heat distribution and preserve moisture. | Although the Dutch oven cover was tight, I observed a minor steam leak while cooking. This leak could potentially affect the cooking process. However, this minor flaw had no significant effect on the outcome of my dishes. |
Crock Pot VS Our table: Handles and Product Design
| Crock Pot | Our table |
|---|---|
| The Dutch oven‘s robust, user-friendly handles and thoughtful design ensure easy handling. Overall, its design is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. | Our Table Dutch Oven features ergonomic, modern handles and a sleek design. Overall, this Dutch Oven’s design is functional and aesthetically pleasing. |
Crock Pot VS Our table: Colors
| Crock Pot | Our table |
|---|---|
| The Crock-Pot Enameled Dutch Oven comes in various appealing colors, allowing you to select the one that complements your kitchen decor. You can choose from Aqua Blue, Blush Pink, Pistachio Green, Scarlet Red, Teal Ombre, Lavender Purple, Sapphire Blue, Slate Gray, and Sunset Orange. | Our Table offers a few Dutch Oven color options (red, blue, and gray), so you can choose a Dutch oven that complements your kitchen decor. |
Crock Pot VS Our table: Maintenance and Cleaning
| Crock Pot | Our table |
|---|---|
| It is advisable to handwash this Dutch Oven due to its enamel coating. Cleaning it is simple, as food residue doesn’t stick much on its surface. I usually wash it with a gentle soak and scrub. To prevent scratches, avoid using metal utensils. | Compared to my experience with other Dutch ovens, maintaining the cleanliness of this particular one can be somewhat demanding. The enamel interior has a tendency to retain residue, and stubborn stains may require more work to remove. Furthermore, this Dutch oven isn’t suitable for dishwasher use, so manual handwashing is needed. |
Crock Pot VS Our table: Durability and Performance
| Crock Pot | Our table |
|---|---|
| The Crock Pot Dutch Oven can withstand frequent use without chipping or cracking. It consistently delivers exceptional cooking results during the six months of using it. | Our Table Dutch Ovens provide excellent cooking performance and durability, though they may not last as long as traditional cast iron. |
Crock Pot VS Our table: Warranty
| Crock Pot | Our table |
|---|---|
| While a one-year warranty backs this Dutch oven, it might not offer the same level of coverage as some other Dutch oven brands. However, considering its price point, the warranty is reasonable. | This Dutch oven comes with a more limited warranty compared to other brands. Furthermore, there have been instances where users expressed frustration over their inability to receive refunds when the product did not meet their expectations. |
Crock Pot VS Our table: Price
| Crock Pot | Our table |
|---|---|
| The Crock-Pot is more affordable than the other Dutch Ovens. It is ideal for home cooks looking for a Dutch Oven without breaking the bank. | Our Table Dutch Ovens are competitively priced, offering a more affordable option for those looking for quality enameled cast iron cookware. |
Cooking Test
To evaluate the cooking capabilities of the Crock-Pot Dutch Oven and the Our Table Dutch Oven, we conducted a cooking test by cooking Red Wine Braised Short Ribs. This test focused on three crucial parameters: Browning, Moisture Retention, and Final Flavor. These aspects are critical in determining the overall performance of a Dutch oven.
Browning
When it comes to browning, both Dutch ovens performed admirably. They evenly and consistently browned the short ribs, creating a rich, flavorful base for our braising liquid. The heat distribution in both cookware options was impressive, ensuring the meat achieved a desirable sear.
Moisture Retention
Crock-Pot was able to keep the steam inside the pot during the cooking process. The ribs turned out tender and juicy.
On the other hand, the Our Table Dutch Oven also displayed good moisture retention. While it didn’t match the Crock-Pot’s level of moisture preservation, it still managed to keep dishes sufficiently moist and flavorful.
Final Flavor
Both Dutch ovens delivered impressive outcomes, yielding dishes rich in flavor. Their ability to cook evenly and retain moisture led to results that were juicy, tender, and packed with intense taste. Discerning a difference in the final flavor of dishes prepared in each Dutch oven proved challenging, as both performed beyond expectations.
How We Tested
To fairly assess these Dutch ovens, we undertook a detailed cooking test, preparing Red Wine Braised Short Ribs in each. We maintained uniform cooking techniques for both to guarantee an unbiased comparison.
The evaluation began by testing their ability to sear the meat effectively. Subsequently, we analyzed how well they retained moisture, a crucial factor for a dish that demands extended braising. Lastly, we sampled the dishes, focusing on comparing the depth and intensity of the flavors.
This rigorous and standardized approach enabled us to objectively evaluate the performance of the Crock-Pot and Our Table Dutch Ovens across these essential criteria.
Conclusion
After a thorough analysis and hands-on testing of the Crock Pot and Our Table Dutch Ovens, it’s time to draw a conclusion. As a seasoned restaurant chef with over ten years of experience, I have scrutinized these products across various parameters: material, weight, heat retention, lid fit, design, color, maintenance, durability, warranty, and price. Additionally, our practical cooking test using Red Wine Braised Short Ribs provided valuable insights into their real-world performance.
In every aspect, from browning to moisture retention and the final flavor of the dishes, both Dutch ovens showed commendable results. However, the Crock Pot Dutch Oven emerged as the clear winner in this comparison. Its consistent and superior performance in key areas like heat retention, moisture preservation, and overall cooking experience gives it an edge. The Crock Pot’s ability to maintain even heat and its durable construction contribute significantly to its superior culinary results. Furthermore, its affordable price point makes it an attractive option for home cooks seeking quality without overspending.
While the Our Table Dutch Oven is a strong contender with its innovative design and functionality, the Crock Pot Dutch Oven stands out for its proven reliability, versatility, and value for money. It combines traditional cooking methods with modern needs, offering an unbeatable combination of performance, durability, and affordability. Therefore, for those seeking the best Dutch oven to enhance their cooking experience, the Crock Pot Dutch Oven is my recommended choice.
Chef Bradley Thompson highly recommends to check his list of the best Dutch ovens.