As a restaurant chef with a decade of experience, I’ve learned the importance of having the right tools in the kitchen. Today, I’m here to help you find the best Dutch oven for your culinary needs by comparing two popular options: the Great Jones “The Dutchess” Dutch Oven and the Crock Pot Dutch Oven. We’ll evaluate these two kitchen workhorses across a range of important parameters.
- Material
- Weight
- Heat retention and compatibility
- Lid fit
- Handles and product design
- Colors
- Maintenance and cleaning
- Durability and performance
- Warranty
- Price
The Dutchess Dutch Oven by Great Jones is a culinary workhorse that combines quality craftsmanship and timeless design. This pot is not only incredibly functional, but it’s also a striking display piece that you won’t want to stow away. I will briefly discuss its built and cooking performance below.
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.
These two Dutch ovens weren’t included in the TOP-5 best Dutch ovens list due to a few reasons, but they’re still good picks.
Let us look at each of these Dutch ovens and later find out how they differ and which is better suited for your cooking needs.
Great Jones VS Crock Pot: Material
| Great Jones | Crock Pot |
|---|---|
| The Dutchess boasts high-quality enameled cast iron construction, ensuring even heat distribution for slow cooking. Its 4.75-inch walls protect against splattering and allow for ample food portions. Its spacious oval shape accommodates large cuts of meat, making it ideal for braising. | 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. |
Great Jones VS Crock Pot: Weight
| Great Jones | Crock Pot |
|---|---|
| Great Jones “The Dutchess” Dutch Oven is a bit hefty but not as heavy as other premium Dutch oven brands. So far, the weight is manageable, as I can lift and maneuver it without too much effort. | Crock-Pot is a bit heavier compared to Great Jones’ The Dutchess. |
Great Jones VS Crock Pot: Heat Retention and Compatibility
| Great Jones | Crock Pot |
|---|---|
| The Dutchess Dutch Oven excels in heat retention. It maintains steady temperatures for tender and flavorful slow-cooked dishes. It’s also highly compatible with various heat sources, including gas, electric, induction, and ovens up to 500°F (260°C), facilitating seamless transitions between stovetop and oven cooking for various recipes. | 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). |
Great Jones VS Crock Pot: Lid Fit
| Great Jones | Crock Pot |
|---|---|
| This Dutch oven performs well overall, but the lid fit has a slight issue, as it tends to trap steam, leading to some excessive condensation. However, this is a minor concern and doesn’t significantly affect the cooking process. | The Crock-Pot Dutch Oven includes a self-basting heavy lid, which helps maintain even heat distribution and preserve moisture. |
Great Jones VS Crock Pot: Handles and Product Design
| Great Jones | Crock Pot |
|---|---|
| This Dutch oven‘s ergonomic handles make it easy to handle, even when full, and they are mitt-friendly. Its retro-inspired oval shape and vibrant color options provide a stylish yet contemporary appearance. Additionally, the sleek, glossy enamel finish enhances its aesthetic appeal. | The Dutch oven‘s robust, user-friendly handles and thoughtful design ensure easy handling. Overall, its design is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. |
Great Jones VS Crock Pot: Colors
| Great Jones | Crock Pot |
|---|---|
| The Dutchess is available in a variety of elegant and eye-catching color options, including Sapphire Blue, Forest Green, Golden Yellow, Dusty Pink, Black, and White. You can select which color suits your kitchen best. | 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. |
Great Jones VS Crock Pot: Maintenance and Cleaning
| Great Jones | Crock Pot |
|---|---|
| Cleaning the Great Jones Dutch Oven is effortless due to its enameled interior. It is also dishwasher-safe, which is time-saving. Food residue comes off easily, and unlike traditional cast iron, it doesn’t need seasoning, making it low-maintenance. | 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. |
Great Jones VS Crock Pot: Durability and Performance
| Great Jones | Crock Pot |
|---|---|
| I find the Great Jones Dutch oven to be durable. Its construction seems sturdy enough to last years as long as it is properly maintained and cared for. In terms of performance, it is consistent and reliable in delivering excellent dishes. | 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. |
Great Jones VS Crock Pot: Warranty
| Great Jones | Crock Pot |
|---|---|
| Great Jones offers a lifetime warranty on their cookware, covering manufacturing defects and faults in materials and crafts under everyday consumer use. | 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. |
Great Jones VS Crock Pot: Price
| Great Jones | Crock Pot |
|---|---|
| The Dutchess generally costs more compared to the Crock Pot Dutch Oven, but its enhanced features and lifetime warranty may justify the higher cost for those looking for long-term value. | The Crock-Pot is more affordable than the Great Jones The Dutchess Dutch Oven. It is ideal for home cooks looking for a Dutch Oven without breaking the bank. |
Cooking Test
In a cooking test, we evaluated the Great Jones against the Crock Pot Dutch Oven by preparing delectable Red Wine Braised Short Ribs. Our goal was to assess how these Dutch ovens fared across three critical parameters: browning, moisture retention, and final flavor.
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.
Winner: Draw
Moisture Retention
Maintaining moisture is paramount when slow-cooking dishes like Red Wine Braised Short Ribs. The Great Jones “The Dutchess” and the Crock Pot Dutch Oven both demonstrated remarkable moisture retention capabilities.
Crock-Pot was able to keep the steam inside the pot during the cooking process. The ribs turned out tender and juicy. While there was a minor steam leak with The Dutchess Dutch oven, the ribs still came out tender and succulent.
Winner: Draw
Final Flavor
Both Dutch ovens produced outstanding results, with the dishes having a remarkable depth of flavor. The even cooking and moisture retention characteristics contributed to a succulent, tender, and intensely flavorful end product. It was difficult to tell the difference in the final flavor between the two Dutch ovens, as both had exceeded expectations.
Winner: Draw
How We Tested
The cooking test aimed to comprehensively evaluate both Dutch ovens’ abilities in a real cooking scenario.
We placed the Dutch ovens side by side on the stovetop and heated them to the desired temperature. We then seared and browned the short ribs evenly in both Dutch ovens, paying close attention to their ability to evenly distribute heat and create a flavorful sear on the meat.
After achieving the desired browning, we added the remaining ingredients for the Red Wine Braised Short Ribs, including liquids and aromatics. Both Dutch ovens were used according to the recipe instructions, and the heat settings were maintained consistently throughout the cooking process.
Throughout the slow-cooking phase, we monitored the Dutch ovens’ ability to retain moisture, particularly how well their lids sealed and maintained the desired level of steam and moisture in the dish.
After the recommended cooking time had elapsed, we conducted a thorough taste test, assessing the tenderness, flavor, and overall quality of the Red Wine Braised Short Ribs prepared in each Dutch oven.
Conclusion
The comparison between the Great Jones Dutch Oven and the Crock Pot Dutch Oven reveals a tight contest between two excellent kitchen companions. Despite some differences in attributes, these Dutch ovens proved themselves in terms of cooking performance and functionality.
Our cooking test revealed that both Dutch ovens performed admirably. Whether you choose “The Dutchess” for its premium features and warranty or the Crock Pot for its budget-friendly excellence, it ultimately comes down to your individual cooking preferences, kitchen aesthetic, and budget. Either way, you can rest assured that both Dutch ovens can elevate your dishes.
Ensure you don’t pass up the chance to check out the list of top-5 Dutch ovens.