There is way more cookware available than you can imagine, and you’ll soon (or already) find yourself sitting on the fence while choosing new cookware.
Sauteuse and Dutch ovens set an excellent example of how diverse and confusing the world of cooking tools might get. So, let’s check the differences between Sauteuse vs Dutch oven and decide which one is more suitable for you.
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Overview Of Sauteuse And Dutch Oven
Sauteuse oven
“Sauteuse” is a French term for a sautés pan in the female gender. A Sauteuse oven is a rounded oven with sloped sides and a large cooking surface area.
It has a slightly domed lid, typically made of glass or metal, to ensure heat distribution throughout the pot. A Sauteuse oven also has two small hoop handles on each side for easier pouring or transferring.
The Sauteuse is a highly versatile addition to your kitchen that you can use from stovetop to oven.
Dutch oven
At first glance, a Dutch oven looks no different from a Sauteuse. So, you’re forgiven for thinking Dutch ovens are Sauteuse ovens going by a different (maybe more fancy) name. And don’t let the name fool you; the Dutch oven was invented and patented by an English man called Abraham Darby.
Dutch ovens, also known as French ovens, are big cooking vessels made from cast iron. They feature thick, straight walls and a tight-fitting lid to block in the steam and heat. There are also two short handles on each side so that you can transfer them in and out of the oven conveniently.
French ovens are essential kitchen tools in many households. Like Sauteuse ovens, Dutch ovens can be used on the stovetop or oven for almost endless cooking tasks.
Sauteuse Vs Dutch Oven: 3 Key Differences
Material
Sauteuse pans can be made from various materials, including cast-iron, hard anodized, ceramic, stainless steel, etc.
Cast iron dutch ovens are known for their superiority in getting to high temperatures and retaining the heat, yet they are the heaviest. On the other hand, stainless steel ovens heat up and cool down pretty quickly, and their weight makes them easier to handle.
Some Sauteuse pans might come with an interior enamel coating with better rust resistance and are easier to clean than bare pans. This coating also eliminates the need for seasoning before cooking. Yet, non-stick surfaces aren’t suitable for cooking at high temperatures, and stainless steel gets chipped easily.
On the other hand, the traditional material for dutch ovens is seasoned cast iron. However, there are also a few other options, such as aluminum, ceramic, stainless steel, and even terracotta.
In the same vein, cast iron ovens are ideal for heat retention, while stainless steel or aluminum pans are lightweight and quick to heat up and cool down. In addition, some Dutch ovens are enameled or come with a non-stick glaze. This coating makes them easier to clean and maintain than regular cast iron ovens.
In addition, they are not prone to rusting and don’t need to be thoroughly seasoned before they are put to work. However, due to this enamel finish, you cannot use these ovens on the grill or an open flame like non-enameled ovens.
Size
Because you can use Sauteuse ovens for both dry and liquid cooking, it is measured in volume instead of diameter. A Sauteuse oven ranges from 2.5 to 7 quarts. These appliances are usually smaller in size than dutch ovens: they are meant for small batches of food at a time.
Dutch ovens can get as tiny as ¼ quart to as large as 13 quarts. A 5-7 quart oven is the most popular size for most units. It has enough cooking surface for family-size batches (enough for four people with leftovers) and is not so bulky to handle.
What you can cook
Although Sauteuse and dutch ovens are pretty similar, slight differences in the design make these two ovens suitable for different dishes.
While French ovens have straight sides, Sauteuse ovens feature slightly sloping sides to help a whisk or spatula maneuver more easily into the corner.
If you’ve cooked with a Dutch oven, you probably know the struggle to keep food from getting stuck in the corner. Hence, the Sauteuse is a better choice if you want to make sauces or dishes that call for continuous stirring.
The roomy base of Sauteuse ovens makes them ideal for browning veggies and meat, simmering, and reduction. Yet, the Sauteuse is not as deep as Dutch ovens, which means that you can put it to better use with shallow, dry cooking or dishes with not much liquid. And obviously, you don’t want liquid spilling over the place!
The greater depth of Dutch ovens makes them the king of multipurpose in the kitchen. They can handle almost anything that you can cook in the Sauteuse.
The higher sides make them better candidates for stews, soups, and deep-frying. Also, a larger size piece can allow you to bake a whole chicken in it. More interestingly, Dutch ovens have become a go-to tool for householders looking to make homemade bread.
Check out this video by Tasty on how to make homemade bread using a Dutch oven:
Which Is Better?
Both kitchen appliances are great, but we recommend a Dutch oven for its versatility if you have to pick only one. However, it’s best to consider what you cook the most and choose accordingly.
Dutch ovens are your best bet if you often cook large batches of sauces, stews, or soups. However, for shallow frying or preparing rice dishes, such as risotto, Sauteuse ovens are the way to go.
Read More:
Wall Oven Vs Range: What Is The Difference?
French Oven Vs Dutch Oven – Which One Is Better?
Conclusion
We hope our detailed comparison between Sauteuse vs Dutch oven has cleared things up for you. Each cookware has its advantages and disadvantages, and the choice all comes down to your cooking needs. If you still can’t decide, we believe you’ll benefit from the versatility of a Dutch oven.
