At first glance, the cookware terminology of saucepan vs dutch oven seem like strikingly similar that most of us tend to utilize them interchangeably.

Besides, have you ever asked yourself, struggled with the decision, would the versatility of a dutch oven, or the size of a saucepan bring you better experience?

This article from Apronese.com will help break it down for your confusion so that you can make the best choice for your dishes and cooking methods.

What Is a Saucepan?

Saucepan is a super versatile piece of kitchenware which you can not miss.

This type of pan has a deep base, firmly long handle and straight sides making them much easier to move skillfully while stirring or whisking.

Saucepan ranges a various differences of sizes (from 1-quart to 4-quart), and also go with a lid but not the best of them.

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What Is a Dutch Oven?

A dutch oven is a round-shaped cooking stuffs with a heavy bottom and one fitted lid.

Versatile dutch oven can be used practically on top of a stove, gas, electric, induction cooktops or even in the oven.

This kitchen appliance comes with a stainless steel knob and looped handles for better grasp.

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Saucepan Vs Dutch Oven: What Are The Main Differences?

What’s the most suitable cooking ware to choose for your dishes? There are many aspects answering this hard question. If you’re looking for something which quickly get your food boiled, then a saucepan is your best decision.

However, if you need something bigger, your best choice is a dutch oven. But how do you know which one you should put into your cart?

With that considered, Apronese.com will provide you with the practical information about the differences between these two kitchen tools to clear up your dilemma of picking the right equipment.

#1. Size

Dutch ovens range from 1-quart to 10-quart. The standard one is about 6-8 quart.

It takes more space than a saucepan because of its size, about 6 quarts and it has to be put separately from other kitchen stuffs since it weights approximately 18 pounds.

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The size of a saucepan is measured by its capacity in quarts.

There are four standard sizes, varying between 1-quart and 4-quart, being narrower than a compared dutch oven.

However, the common size are 2-quart and 4-quart.

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#2. Usage

What Are Dutch Ovens Used For?

Dutch Oven is an all-in-one tool that every kitchen corner must have as it can take up so various cooking techniques.

With special materials, Dutch Oven can be used in oven without breaking, therefore it allows the food to move from stovetop to the oven, to the table, easily.

Dutch Ovens are also ideal for baking and making desserts.

What Are Saucepan Used For?

Saucepans are utilized practically for a lot of cooking methods. 

With its functions and materials, we easily get our liquid food to the high heat. This makes them a perfect tool to make soup, boil water, cook brown rice, pasta, or any food that is tough, much faster than that with a dutch oven.

#3. Materials

An original dutch oven is made of seasoned cast iron which is firm and long-lasting. Moreover, the surface of this cooking vessel has non-stick function, cleaning up without efforts.

Besides cast iron, there are many other materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, glass, copper,…

Saucepans’s materials are commonly surrounded by aluminum or stainless steel but the high-quality level of them are from cast iron and high-heat resistant copper for better experience, more tasty dishes.

Which Is the Best Dutch Oven to Buy?

The Best Overall Dutch Oven

Lodge EC6D33 Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven, 6-Quart, Blue

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The Best on a Budget Dutch Oven

Crock Pot Artisan 5 Quart Enameled Cast Iron round Dutch Oven, Slate Gray

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The Best High-end Dutch Oven

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature round Dutch Oven, 5.5 Qt., Cerise

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The Best Splurge Dutch Oven

Staub Cast Iron 6-qt Cochon Shallow Wide Round Cocotte – Basil

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FAQs of Dutch Oven and Saucepan

Why Is Cooking in a Dutch Oven Better?

A traditional dutch oven will give you better results and dishes than any saucepan since this all-in-one can replace your stock pot, slow cooker, sauté pan and deep-frying pan.

They are convenient and multifunctional; therefore making them a good choice for simple recipes and more difficult tasks such as baking cake, braising, making soups and stews, and deep-frying foods.

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Why Use a Dutch Oven for Soup?

An efficient dutch oven is a tool which flexibly meets the requires of many cooking methods like making soup, braising, slow-cooked, boiling,… So it is a perfect kitchen essentials for everyone who are into these types of dishes.

Dutch ovens will satisfy any of your favorite soup recipes. Their structure and materials save all the nutritious goodness, vitamins and minerals inside when cooking a delicious soup so that you don’t have to worry about your dishes.

Can I Use a Saucepan Instead of a Dutch Oven?

The answer is that it decides on your recipes and how you cook the food.

Both of them can be used for many methods like stews, soups making, boiling and other liquid cooking. However, if you need to put your kitchenware inside the oven, using a dutch oven is better anyway.

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With the 3 amazing differences between saucepan vs dutch oven, Apronese.com hopes you got more useful information about our cookware, helping you to use them most effectively and clearing up the dilemma of picking the wrong one.

If you have further information, please let us know by leaving a comment below and don’t forget to follow Apronese.com now!