A 24 indicates a 5.5-quart (4.2-liter) round dutch oven. A 25? That's a 3.5-quart (3.2-liter) oval dutch oven.
Field cast iron cookware matches traditional vintage sizing conventions, where the “number” corresponds not to diameter in inches, but to the burner ring size on an old-fashioned wood-burning stove. That means a 7 quart No. 10 Dutch Oven is actually wider than 10 inches.
Le Creuset size chart for Cast Iron Round Casserole pots
If this is you, we would recommend any pot size from 24cm upwards (24cm, 26cm, 28cm, and 30cm). If you're looking to cook smaller amounts or side dishes where portions may be smaller, then 18cm, 22cm, or 24cm Le Creuset casserole sizes would be more suitable.
24-inch wall ovens:
Cutout Height: 49¾ inches tall. Cutout Width: 22-1/16 - 22⅝ inches wide. Cutout Depth, excluding door frames and handles: 22¼ - 23½ inches deep. Cabinet Size: approximately 27 inches wide.
Staub uses stamped numbers to tell you about their products, too. A 28 on a round dutch oven means you're holding a six-quart (6.7-liter) round cocotte. A 28 on a squat braiser signals it holds 3.25 quarts or 3.7 liters.
Many rafters use the “Three Up, Three Down” rule, which means that you have three extra pieces of coal on top of the Dutch oven and three fewer underneath. As heat rises, you could easily burn the food if you place too many below.
A 5–7 quart Dutch oven is the sweet spot for most home cooks. This size is great for cooking for four people (often with leftovers). Representatives from both Staub and Le Creuset tell us that their most popular size is 5 1/2-quarts, and that's the size most Epi editors have at home, as well.
As evidenced by the many establishments that rely on Staub's cast iron goods, they are extremely durable while also beautiful enough to serve food from. The brand's collection is very curated with fewer pieces than Le Creuset, and pieces products tend to be slightly more affordable.
Why is Le Creuset cookware so expensive? The short answer is: because you get what you pay for. Le Creuset makes some of the best cast iron cookware on the market, including the best Dutch oven money can buy.
Best-selling Dutch oven size
Well, it is no secret that our 5 1/2 quart Round Dutch Oven and 6 3/4 quart Oval Dutch Oven are Le Creuset's most popular sizes for a reason. These two sizes offer the most flexibility for most people, with the ability to scale up or down to accommodate whatever you are cooking.
This Le Creuset #24 Rare Dutch Oven Grill is a vintage, original piece made in France. The 4.5QT capacity and cast iron material make it perfect for cooking on electric or gas stoves. The orange flame color adds to its unique features. The set includes a lid, making it an essential addition to your cookware collection.
Both Staub and Le Creuset Dutch ovens have a very similar price point. Le Creuset is slightly more expensive, but only by about $20 for the model that we tested. The Staub that we tested retails for $400, while the Le Creuset is $420.
In an enamel-coated Dutch oven, prolonged cooking with acidic ingredients may discolor the interior coating but doesn't erode it. The bottom line is, if using a seasoned cast iron Dutch oven with highly acidic foods, ensure the pot is well seasoned and limit cooking to short periods.
Cooking in the oven
Typically, the entire dutch oven can be placed inside the oven, including the lid. The lid will help trap heat and moisture.
So the choice between Staub and Le Creuset really comes down to personal preference around look and feel. While in our product tests we prefer Le Creuset due to its slightly lighter weight and beginner-friendly light interior, we still recommend Staub as a high-quality Dutch oven.
Again, your best bet is anywhere between 5 and 7 quarts. Most recipes, including sourdough, will happily thrive in a medium-sized oven. We've put the top Dutch ovens through their paces, and while we are big fans of multiple brands, like Lodge and Le Creuset, the Staub consistently tops our tests.
Ultimately, the difference between cocottes and Dutch ovens lies in their size. Cocottes are typically smaller than a Dutch oven—often 3.5QTs or smaller—while a Dutch oven can be 7QTs or larger. This means that ultimately, both a cocotte and Dutch oven have their place in your kitchen.
Using a single wall oven as a guide, a small capacity is anywhere between 30 and 45 litres. 45 litres to 70 litres is the average, and any capacity greater than 70 litres is on the larger side.
In general, single-oven commercial-style ranges fall between 30 to 36 inches wide. Double-oven commercial-style ranges can run 48 to 60 inches wide, and sometimes more. Commercial-grade ranges designed for restaurants may offer even more size variation.