Buying a Dutch oven means making many decisions. Buyers must pick: Staub or LeCreuset. Then, shoppers have to settle on a size, shape (oval or round), and then a color.
The Staub sale going on now at Amazon.com cuts prices by up to 50%. That might push you through these decisions a bit faster. Click quick -- the popular colors and sizes are going fast.
Some readers have been waiting to make Bittman's no-knead bread until they had the 6 to 8 quart dutch oven the recipe calls for. Here's the perfect pot for you, in glossy red.
If you're in the market for a dutch oven, keep in mind that while Staub and LeCreuset lead the high end, there are lower cost options available, including Martha Stewart, Rachel Ray, and this Basix line produced by Staub for QVC.
Buyer beware: When the costs of high-end Dutch ovens drop this dramaticaly, it can be becasue the color has been discontinued. If you want to make sure the color will be around long enough to fill in your collection, do some searches to see if the color you're interested is available at full price at other retailers.
The Modern restaurant in the MoMA here in New York City is know for serving individual portions in small Staub Dutch ovens. These 1/4 quart mini rounds are part of the Amazon.com sale too, but even at $24.99 a pop, serving a party of six would get pricey. Not too practical.
Before you click the buy button, check out "What's the Deal with Dutch Ovens?" in the Kitchen archive and this debate on GardenWeb about the tiny differences between Staub and LeCreuset.
I'll take the Lodge Logic cast iron dutch oven for $29.95
I second the Lodge recommendation. They are available at Target and the quality is excellent.
America's Test Kitchen recommended the Chefmate which is also available at Target. I may pick one up and see how I like it.
To be fair- you can make the No Knead Bread in a plain old ten inch cast iron skillet and get almost the same result and save yourself a lot of money in the meantime.
Mark Bittman wrote in a follow up article that people were having success with many different pans (stainless, glass etc) for the bread. That said, I have a 4 or 5q round le creuset oven in flame and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Did anyone order and receive the 8 quart red Straub. Mine was finally canceled last week due to lack of availability. Sadness.
Megan,
My 8 quart red Staub was also cancelled. I was so bummed out.