When it comes to Dutch ovens, many would want a Le Creuset or Staub if they can afford it. Some people would even scrimp and save to get their hands on either of these 2 pieces. But is it really necessary? Surely there are other cheap Dutch ovens on the market which can do the job. After all, cheap does not necessarily mean they are junk. The Tramontina Dutch oven review below will take a look at this much cheaper option for those who love to cook but are not able or willing to splurge over $300 on a single pot.
Tramontina Dutch Oven Review – Enameled Cast Iron
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To start off, bear in mind that Tramontina Dutch ovens are not just limited to the enameled cast iron type. It also has ceramic and stainless steel lines in case you want to consider other types of cooking surface for your cookware. However, an enameled cast iron Dutch oven is the more popular option because it is ideal for slow-cooking and heat retention and yet, it does not require a high maintenance routine that is associated with raw cast iron cookware.
For the Tramontina enameled cast iron Dutch oven itself, there are a few models that you can buy. Apart from the different sizes, you can also get it in 2 different shapes – round and oval. Closer inspection is also necessary because some models are not compatible with induction cooktops. The heat threshold also differs with a different knob for the lid.
For the model shown above, the lid has a stainless steel knob with a solid cast construction. It is highly durable and can withstand high heat in the oven. The lid itself has self-basting condensation ridges to collect and drip back moisture onto the food.
The interior is a light-colored and smooth porcelain enameled layer that is easy to clean. Just like ceramic cookware, it is PFOA and PTFE-free. The exterior also has an enamel finish and available in various colors such as off-white, blue, and red. It is oven-safe up to 450°F and can be used with gas, electric, ceramic glass, and induction cooktops. You need to handwash the cookware to preserve the original finish.
Should You Buy The Tramontina Dutch Oven?
Pros
- Cheap – You probably can’t compare the quality of a Tramontina with a Staub or Le Creuset. But for the price that you pay for a single Le Creuset Dutch oven, you can get 6 to 7 pieces of the Tramontina. If you think of it this way, you might then feel that some of the premium brands are just way overpriced.
- Relatively light – Cast iron cookware is never lightweight. But comparing the Tramontina to the Lodge Dutch oven, the former is still slightly lighter in weight. The Lodge 6-quart weighs over 14 lbs but the bigger Tramontina 6.5-quart only weighs about 13.5 lbs. It may not seem like much but when the cookware is this heavy, being a little lighter will still make a difference to some home chefs.
- Even browning – The shape of the 5.5-quart and 6.5-quart of the Tramontina Dutch oven is narrower but taller compared to some other brands. The advantage of this is that heat will be more evenly distributed across the smaller base. Thus, you will have nice and consistent browning for your food.
- Good results – The pot seals in flavor and does what it is designed for pretty well for the price. There is no issue of food drying out or getting scorched if proper heat control is observed. The food turns out moist and aromatic and buyers have rated it highly in many Tramontina Dutch oven reviews online.
Cons
- Narrow base – While a tall and narrow design has its advantages, the drawback is you will have a smaller cooking surface. This means you cannot brown or sear as many pieces as you would be able to do with a wider but shallower Dutch oven. Meat also doesn’t sear well when they are too close together and it is harder to work with a tall cooking vessel. However, the Tramontina’s Dutch ovens of different sizes do have different proportions. So, check them out carefully before you buy.
- Enamel chips – This is a common issue with enameled cast iron cookware including Tramontina. If you are not careful during cooking and washing-up, a slight bang would be enough to cause the enamel to chip. Some buyers have also complained of the interior chipping after a few months of use. However, chipping does not render your cookware useless as the video clip above explains. But bits of it might get into your food while cooking and this is where you have to be extra cautious.
- Chinese-made – The Tramontina enameled cast iron Dutch oven is made in China. It is only assembled and packaged in the USA. Many cookware are made in China nowadays to take advantage of the cheaper costs. There are options for American or European-made cookware such as the All Clad D5 and D7 but they do cost a lot more than Chinese-made products.
Tramontina vs Lodge Dutch Oven
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Both of these are selling in the same price range. At times, Lodge could even be slightly more expensive than the Tramontina for a pot of similar capacity. In the Tramontina vs Lodge Dutch oven comparison, where the former loses out is its taller shape in the 5.5 to 6.5-quart category. It is not a dealbreaker but it would certainly be less user-friendly than a shallower model.
Furthermore, the Lodge has a curved design between the bottom and the side while the Tramontina has a much sharper angle. A curved design will not trap food as easily when you are stir-frying. A sharp angle will cause bit and pieces of food to get stuck at the corners. Again, it is not a huge drawback because many Dutch ovens also have a straight side that joins to the bottom. But when both brands are similarly priced with more or less the same features, then the details will play a part in determining the final choice.
Tramontina vs Le Creuset Dutch Oven
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Le Creuset will be the one to get if you just want the best Dutch oven for your kitchen. The finish is definitely of better quality than the Tramontina and it is less prone to chipping. Go through Tramontina Dutch oven reviews by buyers and it is not uncommon to read of imperfections in the finishing.
The handles for Le Creuset are also bigger and more comfortable to grip, especially if you have an oven mitt on. Handles design might seem like a minor thing but it does matter for heavy cookware like Dutch ovens. You want to be able to have a secure grip because a drop might cause both the Dutch oven and floor tile to crack because of the weight.
The Le Creuset have more colors to choose from and a bigger cooking surface compared to the Tramontina. It is the details that add up to make Le Creuset the better choice except for the price. It costs 7 times more than the Tramontina but you would be getting French-made cookware that is of better quality with less risk of chipping. Some people will compromise and end up the getting the Martha Stewart Dutch oven which can cost up to half the price of the Le Creuset depending on when and where you buy it from.
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To us, the Tramontina or Lodge which is just a fraction of the cost of the Le Creuset is good enough if you are on a budget. It may not last you a lifetime but it is a great alternative in the meantime until you can decide if you should splurge on a more luxurious brand name. Many online buyers have left their Tramontina Dutch oven reviews with positive compliments. You can think of the Le Creuset as the ultimate cookware that you would love to have but the Tramontina is that value buy that will still serve you well and which every kitchen would have a place for.
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