Emile Henry cookware is the go-to brand when it comes to ceramic or clay Dutch ovens. After a careful study of over a dozen cookware products from the brand, we’ve determined the Flame Round Stewpot 5.5-Quart model as the best option. The standard-sized clay pot is considerably lighter than most similar-sized metal and cast-iron Dutch ovens and is excellent for most daily cooking tasks. It is dishwasher-safe, Oven-safe, and compatible with all cooktops.

The Top Emile Henry Dutch Ovens Reviewed

	Product's name	Material	Capacity/Weight	Best For	More Info
	Emile Henry Flame Round Stewpot Dutch Oven, 5.5 Quart, Burgundy	Clay	5.2 liters (5 servings); 8.8 pounds	Best Overall	See on Amazon
	Emile Henry Delight Ceramic Oval Dutch Oven 4.5L, Slate (776645)	Ceramic	4.5 liters (4 servings); 8.8 pounds	Best High-End Option	See on Amazon
	Emile Henry Flame Round Stewpot Dutch Oven, 4.2 Quart, Burgundy	Clay	4 liters (3 to 4 servings); 7.4 pounds	Best Budget Option	See on Amazon
	Emile Henry Delight Ceramic Round Dutch Oven 4L, Slate	Ceramic	4 liters (3 to 4 servings); 5.7 pounds	Best Ceramic Option	See on Amazon
	Emile Henry Made In France Flame Oval Stewpot Dutch Oven, 6.3 quart,...	Clay	6 liters (5 to 6 servings); 9.7 pounds	Best Oval Shape	See on Amazon
	Emile Henry Flame Round Stewpot Dutch Oven, 2.6 Quart, Burgundy	Clay	2.46 liters (2 servings); 5.1 pounds	Best Small Capacity	See on Amazon
	Emile Henry Delight Ceramic Braiser, 2.5 Quart, Slate	Ceramic	2.46 liters (2 servings); 6.1 pounds	Best for Braising	See on Amazon

Find the Right Emile Henry Dutch Oven for You

Our top pick is the Flame Round Stewpot 5.5-Quart model, an excellent choice for the average-size family. Available in burgundy and charcoal color, this clay pot can make stews and soups for up to five people.

A round bottom that’s narrower than the top enables perfect balance on stovetops, including induction cooktops. You can choose to use it on open flames, grills, or use it under a broiler; you will get a consistent result every time. Of course, the product is oven-safe and can handle extreme temperatures up to 930^oF.

But if all of these don’t seem impressive, here’s something even the most expensive cast-iron Dutch ovens from other brands can’t do. The Flame Stewpot can go in the microwave, thanks to the unique construction materials and the brand’s proprietary state-of-the-art manufacturing process.

As expected, this Dutch oven has outstanding heat distribution and retention, so food stays hot longer.

The extra-smooth cooking surface is naturally nonstick, so whatever you are cooking is unlikely to stick and burn. In any case, cleanup is pretty easy and convenient. There’s no need to worry about changes to the colorful glaze, at least, not in a decade because the pot is dishwasher-safe.

The Delight Ceramic Oval 4.75-Quart Dutch oven might not be Emile Henry’s best cookware but it goes for a little more than double the price of our best overall pick. Here’s why: it is constructed from first-rate ceramic that gives it the feel of a traditional cast-iron Dutch oven but without the burden of the heavy weight.

Similar to our top pick, it can go in the oven and microwave and performs excellently on induction hobs. But you don’t want to use it on any direct heat source, as doing so can crack the pot or even break it.

It heats up pretty quickly and distributes the heat evenly throughout the cooking surface. If the Flame Round Stewpot is a bit too much for your cooking needs, you may want to scale down to this 4.2-liter capacity Dutch oven, ideal for up to four servings.

This Delight Ceramic Dutch oven has an elongated shape, making it great for browning, searing, and sautéing poultry or long beef cuts.

Maintenance is a breeze, thanks to its natural nonstick cooking surface. But just in case food sticks to the pot, a quick wash in a dishwasher will get rid of food residues and stains.

Indeed, the previous model is a great choice but you don’t necessarily have to put a huge dent in your wallet to own an Emile Henry Dutch oven, and the Flame Round Stewpot 4.2-Quart model attests to this fact.

Our budget pick is a nice addition to any kitchen, whether you are on a shoestring budget or it’s your first time buying a Dutch oven and you want to dip your toe in the water with something very affordable.

But just because it is not as expensive as many other Emile Henry Dutch ovens don’t make it less valuable. It is made from high-quality clay that is compatible with all types of stovetops and can go in the oven for slow, even cooking.

The highly glazed cooking surface encourages healthy cooking since you only need a small amount of oil or fat to cook.

It is okay to hand-wash this product with soap and water. But it is dishwasher-safe, making cleanup a lot easier and convenient.

While this Flame product might not cost an arm and a leg, it is built to last like other Emile Henry products. It is backed by the brand’s 10-year guarantee for normal home use.

If you like the size of our budget option but prefer something from Emile Henry’s Delight product line, perhaps the Delight Ceramic Round 4.2-Quart  Dutch Oven will be perfect for your cooking needs.

Made from high-quality ceramic, this Emile Henry Dutch oven is oven-safe up to 500^oF and can be used on induction cooktops and in microwaves. It is highly responsive, meaning it can get hot very quickly, so you don’t have to wait a long time for it to warm up. Plus, it has impressive heat distribution.

It might look heavy at first glance but it is surprisingly lightweight, making it easy to transfer between surfaces. The charcoal color blends nicely with most kitchen décor and it can double as an elegant serving dish, thanks to its neat matte black base.

If browning large poultry or cooking roasts top the list of things you want to do with a Dutch oven, a large-capacity oval pot will get the job done. That’s where the Flame Oval Stewpot 6.3-Quart Dutch oven comes in.

The elongated shape of this 6.3-quart capacity clay pot is ideal for cooking roasts and poultry. It is also wide enough for chili, soups, and stews. Flavorful cooking is possible with a tight-fitting lid that seals in moisture and heat. In addition, it heats evenly to bring out natural flavors.

Whatever your heat source, this incredibly versatile Dutch oven can handle it, whether it is an induction cooktop, a broiler, a grill, or an oven.

In any case, warming up the pot depends on the recipe because this ceramic Dutch oven is designed to resist thermal shock. Meaning, it can go directly from the freezer to the oven or microwave without preheating.

While this pot has outstanding heat distribution and retention, keep in mind that the elongated shape will work best on wide burners.

It makes sense to buy a small Dutch oven if you live by yourself. The Flame Round Stewpot 2.6-Quart pot is the best small-capacity Emile Henry Dutch oven available, and it comes at a great price.

At only 2.6 liters, it is ideal for cooking one-pot meals that serve one or two persons at most. You can use it with virtually any heat source, whether it is a broiler, grill, stovetop, microwave, or oven. This quality simplifies multi-step cooking processes, such as starting with browning your ingredients on gas before transferring it into an oven for slow cooking.

This Flame Round Stewpot might only have a small cooking surface but Emile Henry constructed it from high resistance ceramic material, enabling it to circulate heat evenly and gently throughout the cooking surface.

It also has superb thermal shock resistance, so you can use it to store food in the freezer and move it directly to a microwave or oven without preheating. This little pot won’t crack even when you expose it to extreme heat because it is rated for temperatures up to 930^oF.

A smooth nonstick surface makes cleaning very easy and the Dutch oven is dishwasher-safe for convenient cleanup.

The Delight Ceramic 2.6-Quart Braiser is another small-capacity Dutch oven for those who prefer models from the Delight product line. Like all other Emile Henry cookware, this one is constructed from natural materials using an unparalleled manufacturing process.

As the name suggests, it is a perfect Dutch oven for braising meat cuts very slowly until they turn fork-tender and absorb all the flavors.

Delight Ceramic Braiser dons a unique dome-shaped lid with the brand’s logo edged on the wide knob. This design is both functional and practical. First, the lid’s shape allows trapped flavors to circulate inside the pot, resulting in mouthwatering aromas. Secondly, the wide knob enables easy opening of the cover if you need to check what you are cooking.

This slate-colored model is oven-safe up to 500^oF and is compatible with induction tops, microwave, and can go in the freezer. But you want to keep it away from stovetops or direct heat sources, as that can crack the ceramic pot.

With a natural nonstick cooking surface, maintaining the pot is effortless. You can choose to hand-wash it or put it in a dishwasher. In any case, the Dutch oven won’t lose color or become damaged in any way.

Emile Henry Dutch Ovens Buying Guide

What to Look for When Buying Emile Henry Dutch Ovens

Emile Henry Dutch ovens are an excellent alternative to cast-iron cookware. Unlike traditional cast-iron models, these versatile products can go in the microwave in addition to being oven-safe.  They are available in a variety of sizes to meet a wide range of cooking needs. Here are some crucial factors to keep in mind when shopping for these highly functional ceramic/clay pots.

Material

Emile Henry uses Burgundy clay and other natural non-clay products to construct its cookware. The result is two distinct products; ceramic and clay Dutch ovens.

A ceramic model is your best bet if you plan to use the Dutch oven strictly in an oven, microwave, or induction top. If you want to use the pot on direct heat sources (stovetops) and broilers in addition to ovens and microwaves, you should consider buying a clay model.

You can clean the pots in a dishwasher, regardless of the material.

Capacity

The capacity of Dutch ovens is indicated in quarts and measured in liters. 1-quart is approximately one serving, so a 5.5-quart pot (which is 5.2 liters) should feed up to 5 people.

Choosing the right Dutch oven size will save you the headache of cooking multiple dishes because the pot is too small, or pay more in energy bill just to heat a near-empty pot because it is too big.

Besides the number of people to be fed, you want to think about whether you have enough space to store the pot. Also, consider the size of your stovetop and if the pot will have a good balance on it. Using a large oval Dutch oven on a small round burner, for example, will not only cause inadequate heat distribution but can also be disastrous, as the pot can easily tip over.

Here’s another thing to keep in mind. A small-sized Dutch oven is not always cheaper than larger options. The 4.75-quart Delight Ceramic Braiser is a typical example. The pot costs over a hundred dollars more than the larger 6.3-quart Flame Oval Stewpot.

Bottom line: you won’t necessarily be saving money by choosing a small-capacity Emile Henry Dutch oven. Instead, it is best to choose a pot that can conveniently feed the number of people you usually cook for without going under or overboard.

Weight

It is not uncommon to hear people complain about the weight of their Dutch oven being too heavy or lacking enough heft. That’s because many customers make the mistake of assuming that a larger-capacity pot is naturally heavier than a small one. This is not always the case, and some of the products in this review are glaring examples.

For instance, our best overall Emile Henry Dutch oven, the Flame Round Stewpot is a 5.2-liter Dutch oven and weighs 8.8 pounds. The Delight Ceramic Oval Dutch oven comes as a 4.5-liter capacity pot but weighs the same.

Also, the 2.6-quart Flame Round Stewpot weighs 5.1 pounds, while the similar-sized Delight Ceramic Braiser weighs more at 6.1 pounds.

Here’s the point: be sure to check the weight of the particular Dutch oven you like before making the purchase. The pot’s capacity doesn’t reflect the weight. Instead, the weight depends (to a large extent) on the construction material. Although ceramic or clay pots are considerably lighter than their cast-iron counterparts, you don’t want to end up with a pot that is not the right weight (too much heft or very flimsy) for you.

Lid

The pot covers come in two major designs; a near-flat lid with a knob and a dome-shaped design with cupped side handles.

The near-flat lids feature dots under the covers. These enhance the circulation of flavored condensation.

A drawback of the Flame product line is the almost-impractical knob on the lids, especially for the small-sized Dutch ovens. The knobs can be difficult to grasp with towels or mitts.

Generally, it is a lot easier to open a model with double-sided cupped handles on the lid and a wide knob.

Handle

One of the apparent differences between Emile Henry Dutch ovens and products from other brands is the handles. It can be tricky (and even cumbersome) grabbing the handles on these pots, especially if you are used to loop handles.

Instead of loop handles riveted at the sides of the pot, the brand’s Dutch ovens come with either slightly-curved handles or deep-cupped handles. This can pose some problems if you need to lift a fairly large-capacity pot from a hot oven.

If possible, consider a model with cupped handles for larger cooking. Flat handles can be managed on smaller-capacity Dutch ovens.

However, it best to always use a thick towel or oven mitt when handling these pots, regardless of the shape of the handle.

Color

Burgundy (red) and slate (charcoal or dark grey) are your options when it comes to choosing colors.

While color doesn’t really affect a Dutch oven’s performance, it is a great idea to choose something that complements your other utensils or overall kitchen décor.

Keep in mind that you can only get a slate color if you prefer a pot from the Delight product line. Flame collections offer both red and charcoal colors.

Shape

Emile Henry makes beautiful cookware, bakeware, and tableware that come in plenty of regular, irregular, and attention-grabbing shapes. However, the brand offers only two standard options when it comes to Dutch ovens; round and oval.

Unlike the product’s color, the shape of your pot can affect your cooking. Round models sit well on most burners, enabling more efficient heat distribution. In most cases, they have more depth than oval-shaped pots, making them ideal for stews.

On the other hand, some oval pots might not work well for smaller stovetops. The elongated shape does not allow heat to distribute evenly, at least not as quickly as is obtainable in round Dutch ovens.

The long shape makes oval pots shallower than similar-sized round models. An oval pot would be the most ideal choice if you plan to buy a Dutch oven for predominantly cooking longer-cut meats or searing large poultry.

Heat Source Compatibility

This factor is coming last but it is by no means less important. You can unintentionally crack and even break your beautiful Emile Henry Dutch oven if you assume that all of the brand’s cookware can handle all heat sources.

Consider choosing a Dutch oven from the Flame product line if you want a versatile pot that can go from freezer to stovetop and oven or microwave without any pre-heating necessary. Flame options are designed for use on direct heat sources, including electric, gas, and induction stovetops, (although, you need an induction disk for induction tops).

These models can withstand extreme temperatures of up to 930^oF. They are constructed with high resistance to thermal shocks, so you can move them from storage to oven without any need to warm them up. You can also heat Flame products up to 450^oF without food or liquid in them.

All other Dutch ovens from Emile Henry are not designed for use with an open flame (campfires, grills, and stovetops). It is best to use them in the oven with temperatures not exceeding 500^oF.

FAQs for Emile Henry Dutch Ovens

Conclusion

If you are in the market for a versatile Emile Henry Dutch oven, you might want to check out the Flame Round Stewpot 5.5-Quart Dutch Oven. The clay pot can go directly from zero degrees Fahrenheit to a hot oven without problems and is compatible with virtually all stovetops. Food stays hot for longer periods in this pot, thanks to its excellent heat retention capacity. Also, it is a great size for most daily cooking.

If the 5.2-liter capacity model does not meet your cooking needs, the Flame Oval Stewpot 6.3-Quart Dutch Oven is a great alternative. But if you want something considerably smaller, we recommend the Flame Round Stewpot 2.6-Quart Dutch Oven. This option is also very affordable.