Dutch Oven Cookware

THEY ARE THE SAME-SIZES MAKE THEM DIFFERENT!

A Dutch oven is a large, heavy casserole, most often made of enamel-covered cast iron. It has a tight fitting lid that holds in moisture, so it is primarily used for braising and stewing tough meats and vegetables. It can be used efficiently on the stovetop, but is more often used in the oven, where it holds and radiates the oven’s heat evenly throughout the pot.

Often called for in the making of a stew or the cooking of a roast, a Dutch oven can be used to brown the meat on the stovetop before other ingredients are added. Then the lid is added and the dish is generally finished in the oven. The tight, heavy lid enhances condensation in the pot and also radiates heat into the pot, turning it into a snug oven that surrounds the food in moist heat.

The Dutch oven may also be called a stew pot or heavy casserole, and it may also be made of aluminum, stainless steel, copper, and uncoated cast iron. The enameled cast-iron pots are less likely to rust and easier to clean than the plain cast iron. They range in size from 3 quarts to 12 quarts, with most people opting for 6 to 9 quarts.

One source we have says the Dutch oven is of Pennsylvania Dutch heritage, dating from the 1700s.

A french oven is normally made of cast iron…there really is not difference except sizes.

Ultimately, the difference is in the manufacturer. If it is LeCreuset, a French maker, then it is a "French Oven". There is some anecdotal arguement that there is a difference in the sizes of the sides of the two, but these days, everyone makes so many different sizes that is really no longer an issue. You will likely find, however, that a "French Oven" is significantly more expensive than it’s Dutch cousin and the color names will be more difficult to pronounce. The performance will be very much the same.
If Le Creuset is out of your price range ($150 -$250), Rachael Ray makes a nice one for much less ($50-60) in similar weight and bright colors. I’ve linked a listing to her’s at Bed Bath and Beyond. They have both brands if you care to compare.

This is on my wish list, too….and while I dream of a LeCreuset on my stove…I would be perfectly happy with the Rachael Ray brand. The person you are shopping for probably would be too.