Can I Use a Dutch Oven in Place of a Slow Cooker?

Kelli Foster
Kelli FosterSenior Contributing Food Editor
Kelli is a Senior Contributing Food Editor for Kitchn. She's a graduate of the French Culinary Institute and author of the cookbooks, Plant-Based Buddha Bowls, The Probiotic Kitchen, Buddha Bowls, and Everyday Freekeh Meals. She lives in New Jersey.
Follow
published Oct 12, 2015
pinterest
comments
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Post Image
(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Q: Does a Dutch oven take the place of a slow cooker? I already own a slow cooker that I love and am looking at purchasing a Dutch oven, but I’m not sure if it makes sense to have both. Also, can I do stove to oven with an old coil burner stove, as I’m in a rental?

Sent by Jennifer

Editor: While these are two different types of cookware, Dutch ovens and slow cookers actually have a lot in common. They’re both essentially vessels to braise food, low and slow, and since the basic principles of each are about the same, recipes written for one can be adapted easily to the other.

Here are a few tips on how you can convert recipes that use a Dutch oven to a slow cooker:

With that said, my Dutch oven just might be my favorite and most used piece of cookware. If it’s something you’ll use and have the space for, it’s a worthwhile investment, in my opinion. And it can go from stovetop to oven, even with the setup you have in your rental kitchen.

Kitchn readers, what do you think: Is it worth it to purchase a Dutch oven when you already have a slow cooker?

Next question?

Filed in:
Cooking Methods
cookware
Slow Cooker