Cocottes, Dutch Ovens & Casseroles

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A cocotte, also known as Dutch oven or casserole, is a must-have for cooking stews, curries, soups, rice, and, well, anything you'd want to cook in a pot with a lid. We carry them in a wide variety of materials, from cast iron to stainless steel, and they are all oven-compatible. ---BUYERS GUIDE--- Casseroles, cocottes, and Dutch ovens are kitchen essentials. (For large batches of food, we also recommend taller stock pots.) These tools help produce memorable meals time and again, from Bolognese to biriyani. The slight technical differences between casseroles, cocottes, stock pots and Dutch ovens are broken down below. Pay attention to the materials that make up each pot, as that will determine which is best for your cooking habits. COOKWARE CATEGORIES What is a Casserole? A casserole is a large pot suitable for the hob or oven. With a wide base and medium walls, a casserole can be used for braising, frying, making soups, curries or tomato sauce. Casseroles are usually made of metal like stainless steel, copper, or aluminium. What is a Cocotte? A cocotte refers specifically to a casserole made of cast iron. Though heavier than a casserole, it the best material for retaining heat, making it perfect for long, slow cooking (think pot roast or Chinese-style ribs), as well as foods that require a lot of steam, like rice dishes and bread. For more on cast iron cocottes specifically, read our guide . What is a Stock Pot? Stock pots are tall and deep, and usually constructed of stainless steel with copper or aluminium—never cast iron, as it would make them too heavy and too slow to heat up. The stock pot is your go-to for making large batches of foods with a more liquidy consistency, like stock, soup, or water for boiling pasta. What is a Dutch Oven? A Dutch oven is virtually similar to a cocotte, as it's a thick-walled, heavy pot with a tight-fitting lid. However, unlike a cocotte, it does not need to be made of cast iron. MATERIALS When considering a pot or pan, material t