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What size dutch oven do you use most?
Posted on 12/15/25 at 4:00 pm
Posted on 12/15/25 at 4:00 pm
I'm looking to get a gift for a family member that cooks a ton. Right now she uses cheap Walmart pots so I would like to get her a nice cast iron dutch oven. She cooks a ton of soups, stews, etc., for meal prep. Would a 12qt be too much for a late 60's woman to deal with?
Posted on 12/15/25 at 4:11 pm to Tigerdew
If she makes a lot of stews and soups I would opt for the 12Q. You can really load it up and cook down for better flavor compared to an 8Q
I misspoke, I thought mine was an 8Q and would like one a little bigger. Mine is a 6.75Q. 8 would be perfect
I misspoke, I thought mine was an 8Q and would like one a little bigger. Mine is a 6.75Q. 8 would be perfect
This post was edited on 12/15/25 at 5:07 pm
Posted on 12/15/25 at 4:15 pm to Tigerdew
Get her an 8qt. A 12qt is 3 gallons and I doubt she's prepping that much.
Posted on 12/15/25 at 4:18 pm to Tigerdew
quote:
What size dutch oven do you use most?
6 quart.
Posted on 12/15/25 at 4:29 pm to Tigerdew
Mine is a 5 quart where the lid doubles as a skillet too. Handles for the lid are on the sides instead of on top. Plenty large enough for cooking family meals. Maybe go larger if she is doing a ton of meal prep like you said, but I can cook a decent sized pot roast in mine that feeds our family at least twice. Anything larger and my wife wouldn't want to use it.
Posted on 12/15/25 at 4:33 pm to Tigerdew
quote:
Would a 12qt be too much for a late 60's woman to deal with?
That'a a heavy pot if its cast iron. It's also a bear to clean if you have a standard sized sink. As Pochejp said, a six qt is good size.
Posted on 12/15/25 at 5:38 pm to Tigerdew
quote:
Would a 12qt be too much for a late 60's woman to deal with?
A 12 qt. cast iron pot with a lid is likely to weigh in about 20 lbs. just by itself.
Add enough food to almost fill it up and you're talking close to 40 lbs.
That's a lot for almost any woman regardless of age.
Posted on 12/15/25 at 6:36 pm to gumbo2176
A 12qt full of soup is pretty heavy.
I have a generic 7qt, and it's big enough to feed 5-6 hungry people.
My wife has a 4.5qt, and it's a better size for soups and stews for the two of us.
You can get an enameled steel Dutch ovens, which weigh a lot less than cast iron Dutch ovens. I have a Merten & Storck braiser which I like. You do have to be a bit more careful with those.
I have a generic 7qt, and it's big enough to feed 5-6 hungry people.
My wife has a 4.5qt, and it's a better size for soups and stews for the two of us.
You can get an enameled steel Dutch ovens, which weigh a lot less than cast iron Dutch ovens. I have a Merten & Storck braiser which I like. You do have to be a bit more careful with those.
Posted on 12/16/25 at 1:25 am to Tigerdew
I have a Lodge brand 7qt enameled cast iron Dutch oven that I love. Can get them for about $45 give or take.
Posted on 12/16/25 at 1:57 am to Tigerdew
quote:I have four different sizes and the one I use the most is the 6 quart, often gumbo, braises.
What size dutch oven do you use most?
Posted on 12/16/25 at 8:18 am to Tigerdew
My main pot is a 16qt... but I like eating leftovers for a week or more so maybe not for everyone. I think my smaller pot is 5 or 6... If I had an 8 or 10 I would probably use that the most.
Posted on 12/16/25 at 8:23 am to Tigerdew
For wife and I, usually the 5qt. When making gumbo or jambalaya, the 12 qt. For roasts, spaghetti and stews, the 8 qt.
Good rule of thumb is 1 qt per person for serving size, with leftovers, usually.
Good rule of thumb is 1 qt per person for serving size, with leftovers, usually.
Posted on 12/16/25 at 9:09 am to Tigerdew
Posted on 12/16/25 at 9:59 am to Tigerdew
I use my 12 most. But that’s because I love it, it is like glass. I’d get an 8, because the 12 is heavy. And although expensive I love my Field products. They are ready to go and stay slick.
Posted on 12/16/25 at 10:21 am to Tigerdew
5 is what I use most often for my family.
Posted on 12/16/25 at 12:43 pm to Tigerdew
I have a Le Creuset 9qt round. Thinking of getting the 9.5qt oval to do roasts in. But not sure if that's redundant.
This post was edited on 12/16/25 at 12:44 pm
Posted on 12/16/25 at 9:50 pm to Tigerdew
My 7 Quart Staub enameled cast iron pot is my bottom bitch. An absolute workhorse. I leave it on the stove. Use it at least two or three times a week. Effortless to clean. Deep frying, oven roasting, or slow simmers to perfection.
Posted on 12/17/25 at 5:48 am to Tigerdew
quote:
What size dutch oven do you use most?
The most? Enamel 9 Qt.
quote:
Would a 12qt be too much for a late 60's woman to deal with?
My God yes. Wayyy too much pot for her to handle.
Get her a 6 and a 9 and she'll be set.
This post was edited on 12/17/25 at 5:49 am
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