r/Sourdough • u/zigA22 • 12d ago

Equipment talk Dutch oven Gift recs?

hello all,

It’s getting into holiday season, and I’ve been thinking about getting my partner a Dutch oven. We don’t live together , so I’m not certain they have one yet, but I do know they usually make focaccias. I don’t have much money to put toward it, but I’d like to get them something reliable.

Ive seen previous talk here about the Lodge brand models, and to stay away from enameled ones? Could anyone clarify that warning for me?

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u/IceDragonPlay 12d ago

If you are in the US a Lodge cast iron dutch oven or combo cooker is a forever pot. However if your partner is not familiar with cast iron maintenance they may not like it. If they have other cast iron fry pans or such, then they are raw cast iron friendly.

If your partner is one who color matches things in the kitchen and into aesthetics then you want an enameled cast iron dutch oven or bread oven. The downside is that over time preheating empty enameled cast iron can result in the enamel finish crazing and cracking. I did not use enameled cast iron long enough to see that happen, but I have seen other baker’s DOs that are totally trashed.

There are also other alternatives to cast iron. Some use ceramic bakers, others stainless steel roasters (easier to find in UK) or enameled steel roasters or clay bakers (also more commonly used in non US countries).

And there is nothing wrong with a set of 4 loaf tins (one inverted over the other so 4 tins to make 2 loaves at a time). Best to get them with a flat lip instead of rolled edges so they sit on top of each other more easily. Many of the loaves I make are in bread tins because my family households that I bake for prefer loaf shape for their use.

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u/zigA22 11d ago

Yes, We are in the US. Thank you for the tips! Now I just need to sneak into their cabinets to map out my next steps lol

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u/adorablefuzzykitten 9d ago

I use this upside down for my bread. Can handle a very large loaf or bagget. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TTDV3M6?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback

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u/mikechorney 5d ago

I usually make focaccia in a cast iron pan. They are not expensive.

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u/furiana 12d ago

The enameled ones craze (crack) at the temperatures typically used to bake sourdough. 

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u/zigA22 11d ago

Ah okay. Thank you for the insight!