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The Best Lightweight Dutch Ovens

Our favorite Dutch ovens are reliable and versatile—but heavy. Could we find a great lightweight stand-in?

What You Need to Know

The best cast-iron Dutch ovens do it all, but they’re too heavy for some cooks. We tested lighter-weight options to find an alternative that was just as versatile and dependable. None had the excellent heat retention of a cast-iron Dutch oven (which is essential for baking bread), but some lightweight models shined in other ways. They heated evenly, which is essential for a great sear, and they excelled when used for braising, frying, and making rice. In the end, a stainless-steel model won out as the best lightweight option: We recommend the All-Clad D3 Stainless Stockpot with Lid, 6 Quart for its even heat distribution; wide cooking surface; comparatively low sides; large, sturdy handles; and durability.

We love traditional Dutch ovens because of how versatile they are. We stock dozens of our top-rated models in the test kitchen, routinely using them to boil, braise, bake, fry, and more. Most Dutch ovens are made from enameled cast iron, and they’re quite heavy—we’ve tested options that weigh more than 18 pounds. In most cases this heft is helpful: Heavy cast iron retains heat well, which makes it ideal for baking picture-perfect, crusty loaves of bread as well as deep frying. It’s also great for searing and braising meat and making soups and stews. But cast-iron cookware can be too heavy for some home cooks, especially those with disabilities, arthritis, or otherwise diminished hand, arm, or back strength. So we set out to find a lightweight pot that is just as versatile and dependable as a cast-iron Dutch oven but doesn’t sacrifice quality for lightness.

Our research led us to conclude that there aren’t many criteria a pot has to follow to be dubbed a Dutch oven. Manufacturers throw the label on pots made from any material you can think of, from cast iron to stainless steel, aluminum, and even ceramic. Many have enameled or nonstick coatings. Some products are labeled “stockpots” or “casseroles'' as well as or instead of being called a Dutch oven. For this review, we focused less on name and more on certain characteristics. We selected pots made from stainless steel and aluminum, with sides no higher than 6 inches, since higher sides can keep cooks from being able to reach and manipulate food. We focused on models that held from 6 to 7 quarts—the size we call for in most of our recipes—and that weighed less than 6.5 pounds, which is far less heavy than our cast-iron winner.

We tested eight lightweight pots against our winning cast-iron Dutch oven, cooking rice and beef Burgundy, deep-frying fries, and baking bread. Not all the pots were labeled as Dutch ovens, but we included pots of different names as long as they had low sides (no more than 6 inches high), capacities from 6 to 7 quarts, and weights less than 6.5 pounds.

The lightweight options we tested were easier to handle and maneuver than heavy cast-iron pots. Some seared meat as evenly and quickly as cast-iron pots. But what we gained in maneuverability, we lost in heat retention. The lightweight models couldn’t radiate enough heat to produce crusty, well-browned loaves of bread. Some were also unable to successfully trap steam and moisture, which is also necessary for bread baking, as well as braising. We still suggest using a cast-iron Dutch oven for baking bread, but the lightweight options we found are versatile enough to sear, braise, and fry, and we recommend them for people who prefer a lighter pot.

What To Look For

  • Large Capacity: Our favorites were big enough for deep frying or for preparing large batches of soups, stews, or braises. We think a capacity from 6 to 7 quarts is good for an all-purpose model.
Large pots with wide cooking surfaces allowed enough room to sear meat and evenly cook beef Burgundy.
  • Fully Clad Stainless Steel: The best pots were stainless-steel “tri-ply,” which means that they’re made with three layers of metal: a highly conductive aluminum core sandwiched between layers of durable stainless steel. They’re also fully clad, meaning that these three layers run through every part of the pot, from the bottom to the rim. These pots heated up fast, retained heat well, and distributed it evenly, making for a great sear without hot spots. Lots of fond formed, which was great for building complex, rich sauces during braises. In addition, their light-metal interiors let us monitor browning easily.
  • Large, Easy-to-Grip Handles: Large, sturdy handles that stuck out allowed us to hold on to the pots securely when we carried them or maneuvered them into or out of the oven, even while wearing oven mitts.
  • Wide Cooking Surface: The more space you have to cook, the more food you can cook at once. We liked pots with 9-inch-wide or larger cooking surfaces, which allowed us to brown meat in fewer batches and in less time.
  • Straight Sides: We preferred straight sides that provided a clear distinction between the walls and the cooking surface, which maximizes cooking space.

What To Avoid

  • All-Aluminum Pots: Aluminum is an excellent heat conductor, but pots made completely from aluminum were more likely to heat unevenly and develop hot spots.
  • Dark Interiors: Pots with dark interiors prevented us from seeing how quickly food was cooking or browning as well as how much fond was accumulating.
Pots with dark interiors prevented us from accurately monitoring how much fond was accumulating and whether that fond was burning. We preferred pots with light interiors, which gave us a good view of how things were going on the cooking surface.
  • Lids with Gaps or Holes: Holes or gaps designed to make draining easier or allow steam to escape did just that: allowed too much moisture to escape during braises, making for overreduced, thick sauces.
  • Curved Sides: Curved sides take away valuable cooking space.
When shopping for a lightweight Dutch oven, focus less on terminology and more on size and shape. Look for a wide cooking surface and low-enough sides (between 4 and 6 inches) to maneuver food easily.

Other Considerations

  • The Pros and Cons of Nonstick: We love nonstick cookware for cooking delicate foods that stick easily, such as eggs, stir-fries, and fish. Some of the pots in our lineup had nonstick coatings, but we found it harder to develop fond in them. Fond is important when searing or braising; the caramelized bits of food that accumulate provide the foundation for a complex sauce. If fond doesn’t form, you miss out on flavor. Still, some cooks prefer nonstick cookware because it’s easier to clean; this was true for the pots in our lineup.

The Tests

  • Boil water, timing how long it takes to bring the water to a boil
  • Make White Rice
  • Make Beef Burgundy
  • Wash 10 times with an abrasive sponge
  • Whack the rim 50 times with a metal spoon
  • Slam the lid onto the pot 25 times
  • Winner only: Fry french fries and bake Almost No-Knead Bread


How We Rated

  • Cooking: We tested how well the pots could make rice and sear and braise meat, as well as how long it took them to boil water. 
  • Ease of Use: We evaluated the pots on how easy they were to cook in, clean, and move around.
  • Durability: We tested how well the pots held up to repeated use and abuse.

FAQs

By traditional definition, cast-iron Dutch ovens are heavy and durable, retain heat well, and have tight-fitting lids that trap steam and moisture. Dutch ovens also traditionally have fairly low sides, so cooks can easily maneuver food inside the pots. Stockpots, in comparison, are generally lighter and have significantly taller sides. In practice, the differences are more subtle—especially when talking about lightweight Dutch ovens. We found that there’s no rhyme or reason to naming these pots; they’re often labeled as stockpots, casseroles, or Dutch ovens. When shopping for a lightweight Dutch oven, focus less on terminology and more on size and shape. Look for a wide cooking surface and low-enough sides (between 4 and 6 inches) to maneuver food easily.


Dutch ovens made with cast iron retain heat well and radiate it throughout their interiors, which allows for even browning. They also trap steam, aiding crust formation. We baked Almost No-Knead Bread in our lightweight winner, and we got an underbrowned, but still tasty, loaf. Nothing replaces cast iron for baking a crusty loaf of bread, so if you’re looking for a Dutch oven for regular bread baking, we still think cast iron is the way to go. 

Our winning lightweight Dutch oven's stainless-steel construction is great for searing and braising, but it doesn't retain and radiate heat as well as our cast-iron winners. Bread baked in the lightweight winner was notably lighter in color and less crusty than bread baked in our cast-iron winner.

Our lightweight winner’s sides are shorter than those of the heavy cast-iron Dutch ovens we regularly use for deep frying, but that didn’t limit the pot’s usefulness. Even when we filled it with 2 quarts of oil (the amount we regularly call for in our deep-frying recipes) and fried 1 pound of french fries, the contents stayed well below the top of the pot. We think our lightweight winner has an adequate capacity for most if not all of our deep-frying recipes. A good tip for deep frying: Once you add the oil, be sure that there’s at least 3 inches of room between the surface of the oil and the rim of the pot to prevent overflows and help contain splatters.


It depends. Only models made from ferromagnetic metal—metal a magnet will stick to—can be used on induction cooktops. Check the chart below to see the induction compatibility of every model we tested. If you own an induction cooktop, check out our guide to our favorite induction-compatible cookware

03:41

Cook's CountryLightweight Dutch OvensWatch Now

Everything We Tested

Good 3 Stars out of 3.
Fair 2 Stars out of 3.
Poor 1 Star out of 3.

Highly Recommended

  • Cooking
  • Ease of Use
  • Durability

WinnerAll-Clad D3 Stainless Stockpot with Lid, 6 Quart

This reliable pot performed almost as well as a traditional cast-iron Dutch oven. Its fully clad construction ensured stellar heat retention and distribution, helping it sear meat efficiently and evenly. Its broad cooking surface meant that we didn’t have to sear meat in extra batches, and its large, easy-to-grip handles and low, straight sides allowed us to maneuver and reach down into the pot with ease. It was large enough to fry in, and it baked bread adequately, though its loaf was not as satisfyingly browned and crusty as those from our favorite cast-iron pots.

Model Number: 8701004424

Materials: Fully clad stainless steel with aluminum core

Capacity: 6 qt

Weight: 3 lb, 13 oz (pot); 1 lb, 4 oz (lid)

Cooking Surface Diameter: 10 in

Internal Height: 3⅞ in

Induction Compatible: Yes

Price at Time of Testing: $294.99

  • Cooking
  • Ease of Use
  • Durability

This reliable pot performed almost as well as a traditional cast-iron Dutch oven. Its fully clad construction ensured stellar heat retention and distribution, helping it sear meat efficiently and evenly. Its broad cooking surface meant that we didn’t have to sear meat in extra batches, and its large, easy-to-grip handles and low, straight sides allowed us to maneuver and reach down into the pot with ease. It was large enough to fry in, and it baked bread adequately, though its loaf was not as satisfyingly browned and crusty as those from our favorite cast-iron pots.

Model Number: 8701004424

Materials: Fully clad stainless steel with aluminum core

Capacity: 6 qt

Weight: 3 lb, 13 oz (pot); 1 lb, 4 oz (lid)

Cooking Surface Diameter: 10 in

Internal Height: 3⅞ in

Induction Compatible: Yes

Price at Time of Testing: $294.99

Recommended

  • Cooking
  • Ease of Use
  • Durability

Best BuyTramontina 6 Qt Tri-Ply Clad Stainless Steel Pot

Our Best Buy lightweight Dutch oven is constructed from three layers of durable stainless steel and aluminum, which radiated and distributed heat efficiently and evenly. This led to a great sear on meat and beautifully cooked rice. We also liked its large, secure handles and tight-fitting lid. But it had one drawback: Its cooking surface is 2 inches smaller than that of our winner, so it took more batches (and more time) to sear food.

Model Number: 80116/040DS

Materials: Fully clad stainless steel with aluminum core

Capacity: 6 qt

Weight: 3 lb, 14 oz (pot); 1 lb, 1 oz (lid)

Cooking Surface Diameter: 8 in

Internal Height: 5 in

Induction Compatible: Yes

Price at Time of Testing: $119.95

  • Cooking
  • Ease of Use
  • Durability

Our Best Buy lightweight Dutch oven is constructed from three layers of durable stainless steel and aluminum, which radiated and distributed heat efficiently and evenly. This led to a great sear on meat and beautifully cooked rice. We also liked its large, secure handles and tight-fitting lid. But it had one drawback: Its cooking surface is 2 inches smaller than that of our winner, so it took more batches (and more time) to sear food.

Model Number: 80116/040DS

Materials: Fully clad stainless steel with aluminum core

Capacity: 6 qt

Weight: 3 lb, 14 oz (pot); 1 lb, 1 oz (lid)

Cooking Surface Diameter: 8 in

Internal Height: 5 in

Induction Compatible: Yes

Price at Time of Testing: $119.95

Recommended with reservations

  • Cooking
  • Ease of Use
  • Durability

Viking Hard Anodized Nonstick 6 Qt. Dutch Oven

This pot has several helpful features, including large, easy-to-grip handles and a tight-fitting glass lid that didn’t release steam. But its small cooking surface necessitated searing meat in more batches than some others, which meant that it took about 7 minutes longer to prepare beef stew. We also had difficulty monitoring browning in its dark interior.

Model Number: 40051-0326

Materials: Heavy gauge anodized aluminum, stainless-steel bottom, PTFE nonstick coating, glass lid, stainless-steel handles

Capacity: 6 qt

Weight: 4 lb, 1 oz (pot); 1 lb, 6 oz (lid)

Cooking Surface Diameter: 8.5 in

Internal Height: 5 in

Induction Compatible: Yes

Price at Time of Testing: $103.99

  • Cooking
  • Ease of Use
  • Durability

This pot has several helpful features, including large, easy-to-grip handles and a tight-fitting glass lid that didn’t release steam. But its small cooking surface necessitated searing meat in more batches than some others, which meant that it took about 7 minutes longer to prepare beef stew. We also had difficulty monitoring browning in its dark interior.

Model Number: 40051-0326

Materials: Heavy gauge anodized aluminum, stainless-steel bottom, PTFE nonstick coating, glass lid, stainless-steel handles

Capacity: 6 qt

Weight: 4 lb, 1 oz (pot); 1 lb, 6 oz (lid)

Cooking Surface Diameter: 8.5 in

Internal Height: 5 in

Induction Compatible: Yes

Price at Time of Testing: $103.99

  • Cooking
  • Ease of Use
  • Durability

Caraway Dutch Oven

We liked this pot’s sturdy construction and comfortable handles, and it distributed heat quickly and evenly for a good sear when we made Beef Burgundy. We also liked its light interior, which was great for monitoring browning. But its curved sides minimized its already small cooking surface, slowing us down during searing, and its superslick nonstick ceramic interior prevented sufficient fond from accumulating. It also has a small hole in its lid that allowed too much steam to escape during the braise, leading to a thick, overreduced sauce.

Model Number:

Materials: Aluminum body and lid with ceramic nonstick coating, stainless-steel handles

Capacity: 6.5 qt

Weight: 4 lb, 2 oz (pot); 2 lb, 1 oz (lid)

Cooking Surface Diameter: 8.5 in

Internal Height: 4¾ in

Induction Compatible: Yes

Price at Time of Testing: $125.00

  • Cooking
  • Ease of Use
  • Durability

We liked this pot’s sturdy construction and comfortable handles, and it distributed heat quickly and evenly for a good sear when we made Beef Burgundy. We also liked its light interior, which was great for monitoring browning. But its curved sides minimized its already small cooking surface, slowing us down during searing, and its superslick nonstick ceramic interior prevented sufficient fond from accumulating. It also has a small hole in its lid that allowed too much steam to escape during the braise, leading to a thick, overreduced sauce.

Model Number:

Materials: Aluminum body and lid with ceramic nonstick coating, stainless-steel handles

Capacity: 6.5 qt

Weight: 4 lb, 2 oz (pot); 2 lb, 1 oz (lid)

Cooking Surface Diameter: 8.5 in

Internal Height: 4¾ in

Induction Compatible: Yes

Price at Time of Testing: $125.00

  • Cooking
  • Ease of Use
  • Durability

Paderno World Cuisine Induction Cookware Aluminum Dutch Oven, 7 Quart

We liked this pot’s ample capacity and wide cooking surface, and we appreciated its straight sides when maneuvering and searing food. Its large, comfortable handles made it easy to carry. But it heated unevenly and wouldn’t allow much fond to form on the nonstick interior. Its lid also fit a bit loosely, so it sometimes let small amounts of steam escape.

Model Number: A1750028

Materials: Cast-aluminum body, ceramic nonstick interior, stainless-steel knob, steel induction plate on bottom

Capacity: 7 qt

Weight: 3 lb, 5 oz (pot); 2 lb (lid)

Cooking Surface Diameter: 9.5 in

Internal Height: 4⅞ in

Induction Compatible: Yes

Price at Time of Testing: $99.95

  • Cooking
  • Ease of Use
  • Durability

We liked this pot’s ample capacity and wide cooking surface, and we appreciated its straight sides when maneuvering and searing food. Its large, comfortable handles made it easy to carry. But it heated unevenly and wouldn’t allow much fond to form on the nonstick interior. Its lid also fit a bit loosely, so it sometimes let small amounts of steam escape.

Model Number: A1750028

Materials: Cast-aluminum body, ceramic nonstick interior, stainless-steel knob, steel induction plate on bottom

Capacity: 7 qt

Weight: 3 lb, 5 oz (pot); 2 lb (lid)

Cooking Surface Diameter: 9.5 in

Internal Height: 4⅞ in

Induction Compatible: Yes

Price at Time of Testing: $99.95

  • Cooking
  • Ease of Use
  • Durability

Calphalon Classic Nonstick 7 QT Dutch Oven with Cover

This pot heated up quickly and distributed heat evenly, searing meat fairly well in only a few batches due to its wide cooking surface. But what little fond did accumulate during searing was hard to see in its dark nonstick interior—which is always a concern when you’re on the lookout for burns or hot spots. This pot has spouts on its sides and gaps in its lid intended to make it easier to strain stock or pasta, but these features let steam escape during the braise, resulting in an overreduced sauce.

Model Number: 2095201

Materials: Hard-anodized aluminum exterior, PTFE nonstick interior, stainless-steel handles, tempered glass lid

Capacity: 7 qt

Weight: 2 lb, 14 oz (pot); 1 lb, 15 oz (lid)

Cooking Surface Diameter: 9 in

Internal Height: 5 in

Induction Compatible: No

Price at Time of Testing: $54.99

  • Cooking
  • Ease of Use
  • Durability

This pot heated up quickly and distributed heat evenly, searing meat fairly well in only a few batches due to its wide cooking surface. But what little fond did accumulate during searing was hard to see in its dark nonstick interior—which is always a concern when you’re on the lookout for burns or hot spots. This pot has spouts on its sides and gaps in its lid intended to make it easier to strain stock or pasta, but these features let steam escape during the braise, resulting in an overreduced sauce.

Model Number: 2095201

Materials: Hard-anodized aluminum exterior, PTFE nonstick interior, stainless-steel handles, tempered glass lid

Capacity: 7 qt

Weight: 2 lb, 14 oz (pot); 1 lb, 15 oz (lid)

Cooking Surface Diameter: 9 in

Internal Height: 5 in

Induction Compatible: No

Price at Time of Testing: $54.99

  • Cooking
  • Ease of Use
  • Durability

G.E.T. Heiss Lightweight Cast Aluminum Dutch Oven, 6.5-qt

We liked this pot’s wide cooking surface and large, comfortable handles. It heated quickly but didn’t distribute heat evenly. Its ceramic nonstick interior prevented any fond from forming, so we missed out on a savory sauce.

Model Number: CA-006-R/BK

Materials: Cast-aluminum body, ceramic nonstick interior, stainless-steel knob, steel induction plate on bottom

Capacity: 6.5 qt

Weight: 3 lb, 1 oz (pot); 1 lb, 7 oz (lid)

Cooking Surface Diameter: 9 in

Internal Height: 4⅞ in

Induction Compatible: Yes

Price at Time of Testing: $82.49

  • Cooking
  • Ease of Use
  • Durability

We liked this pot’s wide cooking surface and large, comfortable handles. It heated quickly but didn’t distribute heat evenly. Its ceramic nonstick interior prevented any fond from forming, so we missed out on a savory sauce.

Model Number: CA-006-R/BK

Materials: Cast-aluminum body, ceramic nonstick interior, stainless-steel knob, steel induction plate on bottom

Capacity: 6.5 qt

Weight: 3 lb, 1 oz (pot); 1 lb, 7 oz (lid)

Cooking Surface Diameter: 9 in

Internal Height: 4⅞ in

Induction Compatible: Yes

Price at Time of Testing: $82.49

Not Recommended

  • Cooking
  • Ease of Use
  • Durability

McWare Aluminum Caldero Dutch Oven, 6.7 qt

This traditional pot is ideal for making rice and slow-cooking meat and vegetables at low temperatures. It heated up quickly, and we loved that its large cooking surface prevented us from having to sear extra batches. But its thin construction kept it from distributing heat evenly. This wasn’t a problem while cooking rice at a low temperature, but it caused hot spots when we seared meat. And despite assurances from the manufacturer that it was ovensafe to 450 degrees, its lid warped badly during our braise at 300 degrees. In addition, its small handles kept us from feeling secure as we maneuvered it.

Model Number: 9939

Materials: Cast aluminum

Capacity: 6.7 qt

Weight: 2 lb, 5 oz (pot); 1 lb (lid)

Cooking Surface Diameter: 10 in

Internal Height: 4⅛ in

Induction Compatible: No

Price at Time of Testing: $39.94

  • Cooking
  • Ease of Use
  • Durability

This traditional pot is ideal for making rice and slow-cooking meat and vegetables at low temperatures. It heated up quickly, and we loved that its large cooking surface prevented us from having to sear extra batches. But its thin construction kept it from distributing heat evenly. This wasn’t a problem while cooking rice at a low temperature, but it caused hot spots when we seared meat. And despite assurances from the manufacturer that it was ovensafe to 450 degrees, its lid warped badly during our braise at 300 degrees. In addition, its small handles kept us from feeling secure as we maneuvered it.

Model Number: 9939

Materials: Cast aluminum

Capacity: 6.7 qt

Weight: 2 lb, 5 oz (pot); 1 lb (lid)

Cooking Surface Diameter: 10 in

Internal Height: 4⅛ in

Induction Compatible: No

Price at Time of Testing: $39.94

*All products reviewed by America’s Test Kitchen are independently chosen, researched, and reviewed by our editors. We buy products for testing at retail locations and do not accept unsolicited samples for testing. We list suggested sources for recommended products as a convenience to our readers but do not endorse specific retailers. When you choose to purchase our editorial recommendations from the links we provide, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices are subject to change.

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The mission of America’s Test Kitchen Reviews is to find the best equipment and ingredients for the home cook through rigorous, hands-on testing. We stand behind our winners so much that we even put our seal of approval on them. Have a question or suggestion? Send us an email at atkreviews@americastestkitchen.com. We appreciate your feedback!

The Expert

Author: Chase Brightwell

byChase Brightwell

Associate Editor, ATK Reviews

Chase is an associate editor for ATK Reviews. He's an epidemiologist-turned-equipment tester and biscuit enthusiast. 

Chase Brightwell is an associate editor for ATK Reviews. He left a career in infectious disease research to answer fascinating food questions full-time. He loves combining his culinary passions with analytical methods to evaluate equipment and ingredients—from grill gloves, fire pits, and cleaning supplies to heirloom beans and puff pastry. He lives in Maine with his husband, daughter, and black lab and has never met a biscuit he didn't like.

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