Summary
A welcome addition to the Dutch oven market, this budget Amazonbasics Enameled Dutch oven offers a great introductory product. A viable option for those on a budget or those who don’t want to invest in higher priced cookware…all backed by the Amazon brand guarantee.
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So, Amazon are now offering Dutch ovens…
An interesting addition to the Dutch oven market, it launched to little fanfare but is already making a big impression. What really stands out about this is the price…starting at $40.
Available in two colors…blue and red, the simplicity of the offering is what is making it so accessible. Made in China, it looks very similar to the Lodge cast iron Dutch oven…albeit at a lower cost. This is probably a result of Amazons direct to market business model.
There are few reviews available but based on the initial reaction, you are essentially getting the same performance and durability of the Lodge version.
The key features of the Amazonbasics Enameled Dutch oven;
- Oven safe to 400F
- Full cast iron
- Fully enameled
- Backed by Amazon one-year warranty
The Lodge version tested very positively in my Best Dutch oven test. The cooking performance was a real surprise and the beef stew I cooked in it was excellent. Based on what I have seen so far, I fully expect the Amazonbasics Dutch oven to achieve similar.
The reality is that Dutch ovens perform very similarly. Whether you own a $400 Le Creuset Dutch oven or the very basic ones like the Amazonbasics, the essential cooking aspect remains the same. They are both constructed from cast iron with enamel. Of course, the quality of the final product is very different…as you would expect when comparing a premium and basic product. That is clearly reflected in the price.
It is available in three sizes, 4.5, 6, and 7 quarts and in two colors…blue and red. It is this basic product line that keeps the price low but on the equivalent budget offering by Lodge, the 6-quart version still offers a $15 saving.
Generally, the feedback on Amazon is positive with it scoring 4.5 out of 5 stars. This is better than one would expect and goes to show that you should not always rely on price as an indicator of performance.
Verdict
Is this going to make a big change in the Dutch oven market? Probably not. What it does do is offer a basic product to those that would not normally consider getting a Dutch oven. So for that reason, it is to be welcomed…making cookware accessible is a positive thing and at this price, there can be few complaints.
As a starter pot, I would wholly recommend it, especially as it is backed up by the Amazon brand. This makes it a safe buy should anything go wrong.
This makes this a good buy in my eyes. Verdict…buy.
What other brands should I consider?
The obvious one that comes to mind is the Lodge 6 Quart enameled Dutch oven. This won our best Dutch oven test as it offered the overall balance of great performance with an unbelievably low price. It is offered in three sizes and a dozen or so colors.
I recently wrote an article on the best Dutch ovens under $100. Obviously, this is more than the $40 price set by the smallest Amazonbasics enameled Dutch oven but it does go to show that there is value to be had in this market. Some of the offerings were outstanding.
The Tramontina Dutch oven was also a viable contender and also available at a low price. Very attractive looking, it offers all the functionality of more expensive versions.
My favorite was the Lodge version. It was $60 but the quality was exceptional, much like the offering of a premium product. The design was modern and is a very welcome addition to the Dutch oven market. I predict great things from this historic brand.
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What should i read next?
Lodge vs AmazonBasics Dutch oven – Which should you buy?