The Le Creuset Round Dutch Oven and the Deep Dutch Oven share the same premium enameled cast iron construction but are engineered for different cooking styles based on their shape. The classic Round Dutch oven features a wider, shallower design with a larger surface area perfect for searing meat, while the Deep Dutch oven has a taller, narrower profile with a smaller base designed to reduce splatters and save stovetop space.
Here’s a detailed comparison to help you choose the right Le Creuset for your kitchen.
Le Creuset Signature Round Dutch Oven
The quintessential workhorse of the kitchen, the Le Creuset Signature Round Dutch Oven is the brand's most iconic and versatile piece. Its traditional wide and relatively shallow shape is the direct descendant of the original cocotte design, optimized for a vast range of cooking techniques from browning and braising to baking and roasting. It is considered by most cooks to be the essential, all-purpose Dutch oven.
- What it is: Le Creuset's classic, best-selling enameled cast iron pot with a wide base and medium-height sides.
- Key features: Wide cooking surface for maximum contact with the heat source, tight-fitting lid with a stainless steel knob (safe to 500°F), and large loop handles for easy lifting.
- Price: From $160 (1 qt) to $625 (13.25 qt). The popular 5.5 qt model is $420.
- Available Sizes: Extensive range from 1 qt up to 13.25 qt, with popular sizes being 3.5 qt, 5.5 qt, and 7.25 qt.
- Style: The timeless, recognizable Dutch oven design. Available in a huge spectrum of colors, making it a "stovetop to table" showpiece.
- Pros: Excellent for searing meats and sautéing vegetables without crowding. Easily accommodates wider food items like a whole chicken or large cuts of beef. Easier to stir and access food from all angles. The most versatile shape for general use.
- Cons: Its wider base takes up more real estate on the stovetop or in the oven. The lower sides can allow more splatter when frying.
This pot is the perfect choice for anyone buying their first Dutch oven or for those who prioritize searing, braising wide cuts of meat, and having one exceptionally versatile pan for almost any recipe.
Shop this product: lecreuset.com/round-dutch-oven/LS2501.html
Le Creuset Signature Deep Round Dutch Oven
The Le Creuset Deep Dutch Oven is a modern variation on the classic, designed with the same volume as its regular counterpart but in a taller, more compact shape. This design modification makes it particularly well-suited for tasks like making soups, boiling pasta, or deep frying, where height is more valuable than a wide surface area. Its smaller footprint is also great for crowded stovetops or smaller ovens.
- What it is: A taller, narrower version of the classic round Dutch oven, designed to minimize splatters and save surface space.
- Key features: Extra-deep sides to contain liquids and prevent boil-overs, smaller base diameter, same volume capacity as comparable round models but in a space-saving profile.
- Price: The popular 5.25 qt size is often around $290 (promotional price) and the 8 qt is $485.
- Available Sizes: Available in fewer sizes than the classic Round, with 5.25 qt and 8 qt being the most common.
- Style: A modern and efficient silhouette. Looks slightly more streamlined and is great for compact kitchens. Available in a good range of core colors.
- Pros: Tall sides significantly reduce stovetop splatters. A smaller base saves precious burner space. Excellent for deep frying, boiling pasta, and making large batches of soup or stock. Depth helps keep food submerged in liquid during long braises.
- Cons: The smaller-diameter cooking surface isn’t ideal for browning large quantities of meat - you have to work in more batches. Harder to stir and reach the bottom, and can feel awkward for non-liquid-heavy dishes. Does not easily fit a whole chicken.
This is the perfect Dutch oven for cooks who frequently make liquid-based meals, love to deep fry, or need to maximize limited stovetop space.
Shop this product: lecreuset.com/deep-round-dutch-oven/LS2524.html
Round vs. Deep Dutch Oven Comparison
Cooking Performance & Surface Area
This is the most critical distinction. The Round Dutch Oven’s wide base provides ample room for browning meat and sautéing aromatics, a crucial first step for developing flavor in stews and braises. A 5.5 qt Round Dutch Oven, for example, has roughly a 9.5-inch diameter cooking surface. This allows proteins like chicken thighs or short ribs to be seared properly in a single layer without steaming.
In contrast, the Deep Dutch Oven (5.25 qt) has a cooking surface closer to 7.5 inches in diameter. This more constrained surface means searing has to be done in multiple batches, which can be less efficient. However, its tall sides excel once liquid is added. They minimize evaporation, prevent boil-overs, and provide fantastic protection from oil splatters when deep-frying French fries or bubbling jam. For soups, stocks, and boiling, the Deep version is a superior choice.
Dimensions & Stovetop Footprint
The Deep Dutch Oven is the clear winner for anyone with a small kitchen. Its smaller diameter base frees up adjacent burners, allowing you to use other pots and pans simultaneously without everything feeling crowded. This is especially useful on smaller non-commercial stoves.
The classic Round Dutch oven requires more horizontal space on the cooktop and in the oven. For storage, the tradeoff is vertical vs. horizontal space. The Round oven is shorter and may fit on more shelves, while the Deep oven’s height can be a limiting factor in some cabinets.
Versatility & Daily Use
For most home cooks, the classic Round Dutch oven is the more versatile, all-purpose pot. It comfortably handles the widest variety of recipes, from coq au vin and pot roasts to no-knead bread and casseroles. Because its shape doesn't favor one specific technique, it performs well across the board. If you could only have one Dutch oven, the classic Round is the undisputed recommendation.
The Deep oven is more of a specialist. While it can perform most of the same tasks, it's not as user-friendly for recipes requiring frequent stirring or easy access to the bottom of the pot. Its strengths make it an excellent second Le Creuset piece for those who have a classic Round and want to add a dedicated pot for frying and soups.
Who Each One Works Best For
The classic Round Dutch Oven is ideal for the home cook who wants one piece of cookware to do it all. It’s perfect for those who regularly cook for families, entertain guests, and prepare recipes that start with searing meats or building flavor on a wide base. From beginners to experienced chefs, it's the foundational piece of enameled cast iron cookware.
The Deep Dutch Oven is best suited for cooks with specific needs. If you live in an apartment with a small stove, regularly make large batches of soup, stock or chili, or love to deep-fry without the mess, this is the pot for you. It's also an excellent choice for bakers focusing on panettone or taller loaves of bread that benefit from the vertical oven spring.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both Dutch ovens offer exceptional quality and cooking performance, but their different shapes make them ideal for very different culinary priorities.
Choose the Round Dutch Oven if:
- This will be your first and only Dutch oven.
- You frequently pan-sear meat or sauté vegetables as the first step in a recipe.
- You often roast whole chickens or wide cuts of meat like brisket or pork shoulder.
- You want maximum versatility for the widest range of cooking methods.
Choose the Deep Dutch Oven if:
- You have a small stovetop and saving burner space is a top priority.
- You primarily plan to make large batches of soups, stews, chilis, or stocks.
- You want a pot designed for deep-frying that minimizes messy oil splatters.
- You are looking for a second, more specialized Dutch oven to complement a classic pot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between the Le Creuset Round and Deep Dutch oven?
The main difference is shape and proportion. The Round model is wider and shallower, providing a large surface area for searing. The Deep model is narrower and taller, offering the same volume in a more compact footprint that is ideal for reducing splatters and cooking liquids.
Which Le Creuset shape is better for baking bread?
Both work exceptionally well, but some bakers prefer the Deep Dutch oven. Its taller walls can help contain steam and encourage a more dramatic vertical rise (oven spring) on boules. However, the classic Round is fantastic for baking bread and remains a go-to for countless bakers.
If I can only buy one Dutch oven, which should it be?
Nearly all culinary experts agree that the classic Round Dutch Oven is the best choice if you can only have one. Its versatility is unmatched, making it suitable for almost any recipe you can find, from braising to baking.
Can I sear meat in the Deep Dutch oven?
Yes, you can absolutely sear meat in it. However, because of its smaller-diameter base, you will not have as much room and will likely need to sear your ingredients in smaller or more frequent batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
Which one takes up less space?
The Deep Dutch oven takes up less horizontal space on your stovetop. In your cabinets, the classic Round is shorter, but the Deep oven's smaller circumference might make it easier to store depending on your cabinet layout.
Does the Deep Dutch oven really reduce splatters?
Yes, the extra-tall sides are very effective at containing oil spatters during frying and preventing liquids at a rolling boil from splashing over the sides, making for a cleaner cooktop.
Are the lids interchangeable between pots of a similar size?
No. Even if the quart capacity is similar, the diameters are different. The lid for a 5.5 qt Round Dutch oven is much wider and will not fit on a 5.25 qt Deep Dutch Oven.
What is the most popular size for a round Dutch oven?
The 5.5-quart and 7.25-quart are the most popular and versatile sizes. A 5.5-quart model is perfect for cooking for 4-6 people, while a 7.25-quart oven is great for larger families, batch cooking, or entertaining.
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