As a seasoned restaurant chef with a decade of experience, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a variety of kitchen equipment and cookware. In this article, I’m going to compare two well-known Dutch ovens: the HexClad Dutch Oven and the Cabela’s Camp Oven. These are popular choices among both professional chefs and home cooks.
In this comparison, we’ll look at several key aspects that are important when choosing a Dutch oven. These include:
- Material
- Weight
- Heat retention and compatibility
- Lid fit
- Handles and product design
- Colors
- Maintenance and cleaning
- Durability and performance
- Warranty
- Price
These two Dutch ovens fell short of the TOP-5 best Dutch ovens list for a few reasons, but they’re still commendable choices.
We’ll start by introducing each Dutch oven and then dive into how they differ. This will help you understand which one might be the best fit for your cooking needs.
Hexclad VS Cabela’s: Material
| HexClad | Cabela’s |
|---|---|
| The HexClad Dutch Oven stands out with its stainless steel make and innovative hexagonal non-stick surface. It’s safe, free from toxins and PFOA, and utilizes a combination of ceramic, diamond dust, and stainless steel for optimal performance. | Cabela’s Camp Oven is built with heavy-duty cast iron. Its impressive thickness ensures consistent cooking temperatures, while the overall build quality suggests durability and reliability. |
Hexclad VS Cabela’s: Weight
| HexClad | Cabela’s |
|---|---|
| HexClad is lightweight due to its stainless steel construction. | The Cabela’s Camp Oven is a bit heavier, tipping the scales at approximately 18 pounds. It’s a better fit for camping and outdoor use. |
Hexclad VS Cabela’s: Heat Retention and Compatibility
| HexClad | Cabela’s |
|---|---|
| The HexClad Dutch oven excels in heat retention. Its tri-ply design, incorporating an aluminum layer between two stainless steel layers, ensures exceptional heat distribution, resulting in consistent cooking temperatures.
This Dutch oven’s heat compatibility is also impressive. It can be used on gas, electric, and induction stovetops and in ovens up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. |
The Cabela’s Camp Oven demonstrates good heat retention capabilities as it maintains stable and even heat during cooking. It offers versatility in heat compatibility, accommodating campfires, charcoal, and conventional ovens. |
Hexclad VS Cabela’s: Lid Fit
| HexClad | Cabela’s |
|---|---|
| The HexClad Dutch oven‘s lid provides a snug fit, effectively sealing moisture and flavors while braising.
This Dutch oven’s heat compatibility is also impressive. It can be used on gas, electric, and induction stovetops and in ovens up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. |
The Camp Oven‘s lid fits securely, although there was some moisture loss during cooking. |
Hexclad VS Cabela’s: Handles and Product Design
| HexClad | Cabela’s |
|---|---|
| The handles of HexClad are practical and ergonomic. I can firmly grasp the pot even when using oven mitts. This Dutch oven has a clean and classic style that will complement any kitchen. | The Cabela’s Camp Oven has a functional design with sturdy and practical handles. For outdoor cooking, the version with legs is recommended for stability when cooking over wood or charcoal. Overall, its design is straightforward and suitable for outdoor use. |
Hexclad VS Cabela’s: Colors
| HexClad | Cabela’s |
|---|---|
| HexClad is exclusively offered in its signature stainless steel design with a round shape in a 5-quart size. | Cabela’s Camp Oven comes in a traditional cast iron color, which is ideal since it is made for outdoor use. |
Hexclad VS Cabela’s: Maintenance and Cleaning
| HexClad | Cabela’s |
|---|---|
| HexClad has a non-stick surface, making cleaning effortless with a simple wipe or gentle scrub. However, it’s essential to consider that the long-term durability of this non-stick coating may not meet some users’ expectations. | The Cabela’s Camp Oven, like most cast iron cookware, requires careful cleaning, which can be a bit of a chore. Proper drying and re-seasoning are necessary to prevent rust. |
Hexclad VS Cabela’s: Durability and Performance
| HexClad | Cabela’s |
|---|---|
| The HexClad Dutch Oven offers outstanding cooking performance, delivering tender and flavorful results with various dishes, including short ribs, soups, stews, and searing meats. However, I think it may not match the longevity of cast iron Dutch ovens. | In terms of durability and performance, the Camp Oven meets the basic expectations for a cast iron product. It can handle high heat and will likely serve adequately for an extended period. |
Hexclad VS Cabela’s: Warranty
| HexClad | Cabela’s |
|---|---|
| HexClad provides a limited lifetime warranty similar to other leading Dutch oven brands. | The absence of clear warranty information adds uncertainty about the product’s long-term durability. However, you can find return and exchange information on the website, which may offer some clarity regarding their policies. |
Hexclad VS Cabela’s: Price
| HexClad | Cabela’s |
|---|---|
| HexClad costs more than the other Dutch oven, mainly due to its patented technology. | There is only a bit of a price difference between HexClad and Cabela’s, but it is likely due to its outdoor-oriented design and heavier construction. |
Cooking Test
To objectively assess the performance of each Dutch oven, I conducted a practical cooking test. Using the recipe for Red Wine Braised Short Ribs, I evaluated the Dutch ovens based on three key criteria: browning, moisture retention, and final flavor.
Browning
The HexClad Dutch Oven demonstrated superior browning results. The even heat distribution and snug-fitting lid allowed for precise control over browning, ensuring a beautifully caramelized exterior on our red wine-braised short Ribs. The Cabela’s Camp Oven, while competent in this aspect, didn’t quite match the precise browning achieved by the HexClad.
Moisture Retention
HexClad does a good job at moisture retention, it maintains a satisfactory level of moisture in dishes.
The ribs cooked in the Cabela’s Camp Oven were tender and succulent.
Final Flavor
Regarding the final flavor of the dishes, it was a close call. Both Dutch ovens produced delicious results, but Cabela’s Camp Oven had a slight edge due to its excellent moisture retention, contributing to a richer and more flavorful outcome.
On the other hand, the HexClad Dutch Oven, with its stainless steel and non-stick surface, may not infuse the same depth of flavor as cast iron, but it still preserves and enhances the taste of the dishes.
How We Tested
I began the cooking test by searing the short ribs, focusing primarily on evaluating their browning capabilities in each Dutch oven.
Next, I moved on to the braising stage. Here, my attention was on how well each Dutch oven maintained moisture, a critical factor in ensuring the meat’s tenderness and juiciness.
After the braising process, I examined the overall flavor and tenderness of the Red Wine Braised Short Ribs cooked in each oven. This part of the evaluation involved a detailed assessment of the depth of flavors and how tender the meat turned out.
Conducting this cooking test provided me with a thorough understanding of the capabilities of both the HexClad and Cabela’s Camp Dutch ovens.
Conclusion
In concluding this detailed comparison between the HexClad Dutch Oven and the Cabela’s Camp Oven, it’s clear that each has its strengths and areas for improvement. As a restaurant chef with a decade of experience, I’ve had the privilege of working with various cookware, which aids in a thorough and nuanced evaluation.
Throughout this comparison, we examined material, weight, heat retention and compatibility, lid fit, handles and product design, colors, maintenance and cleaning, durability and performance, warranty, and price. Both Dutch ovens showed commendable qualities, but the HexClad Dutch Oven emerged as the superior choice for a few reasons.
In the cooking test, the HexClad Dutch Oven excelled in browning, offering precise control and even heat distribution. This resulted in a beautifully caramelized exterior on the red wine-braised short ribs. While the Cabela’s Camp Oven was competent, it couldn’t match the HexClad in this aspect.
For moisture retention, both ovens performed well, but the HexClad maintained a consistent moisture level, which is crucial for various dishes. In terms of final flavor, both ovens produced delicious outcomes, but the HexClad, with its innovative non-stick surface, still managed to preserve and enhance the taste effectively.
Considering all these aspects, the HexClad Dutch Oven is the winner in this comparison. Its combination of superior browning capabilities, consistent moisture retention, and ability to enhance flavors, along with its practical design and durability, make it a more versatile and preferable option for both home cooks and professional chefs. While it may not have the traditional appeal of cast iron, its modern features and performance justify its place in any kitchen.