Can You Boil Water in a Dutch Oven? Is It Safe To do So?

Ah, cast iron cookers! So much confusion out there over what should be an easy question to find an answer for – can I or can’t I boil water in a Dutch oven?

Yes, you can boil water in a seasoned cast iron Dutch oven as well as enamel cast iron Dutch ovens. There are a few things with both types of cooking pots that you should adhere to that will protect your cast iron Dutch oven and yourself.

Read on…

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Can You Boil Water in a Dutch Oven?

I believe the reason this simple question is so difficult to answer easily is because of the two different types of Dutch ovens.

Firstly, we have the traditional seasoned cast iron Dutch oven and then we have the “modern” cast iron enameled Dutch oven which is coated in a glass-like coating.

Let’s identify the differences between both types of Dutch ovens – it will then become clear why it is such a difficult question to answer…

Seasoned Cast Iron Dutch Ovens

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This is a classic Dutch oven and one of the most versatile pieces of cookware you can use either indoors or outdoors.

It is a perfect pot for one-pot meals. It can withstand higher temperatures, direct contact with hot coals, and safe oven use just as well as enameled cast iron cookware.

Both types of iron pots heat up slowly. The reason cast iron heats up so slowly is due to the thickness of the cast pot and remember the base is usually thicker than the walls and the lid.

A tight-fitting lid is a huge benefit when Dutch oven cooking as it helps the ingredients in the cast iron pan heat up quickly when using a lower temperature in the cooking process.

Seasoned cast iron ovens can – with care – be used over most heat sources. Even the ultra-modern induction heating technology – due to it being made from metal.

I have read reports that you should not be boiling water or any type of liquid for a long time in a seasoned cast iron Dutch oven because the seasoning breaks down.

You could then end up with food sticking to the inside of the oven and particles of seasoning flakes in your food.

This is certainly true – the seasoning will break down and you need to carry out the re-seasoning process to protect your Dutch oven – Not the end of the world…

***To be clear in this instance we are talking about boiling water – a one-off or occasional occurrence. We are not talking about boiling soups, stews, and the like at high temperatures constantly.

I would suggest that you boil your hot water – use it for the intended reason. Then, when finished, clean and dry as normal – all will be well.

Learn how to season a new Dutch oven to prevent iron rust from appearing.

Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven

Standard instructions when using an enamel-coated Dutch oven is to use the pot over low to medium heat for best results.

The reason we need to be careful with the enamel coating on cast iron is that there are two different types of materials involved. With heating extremes, both may not react in the same way at the same time – expand and contract. This is known as thermal shock and can cause the enamel to crack or chip.

For this reason, I avoid using enamel-coated cast-iron Dutch ovens on briquettes and open flame campfires, as there is no easy way to gauge or control the heat. Along with the fact that it would not stay pretty for long…

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We absolutely have more control of heat sources in a kitchen environment. If you do use an enamel-coated cast iron Dutch oven over flames (gas) – keep the flame confined to the base of the oven only not licking up the sides of the oven. This stops the enamel from becoming discolored.

Learn about the dangers of hot iron pans and how hot a Dutch oven can actually get!

Is It Safe to Boil Water in a Cast Iron Dutch Oven?

The safety of boiling water in a cast-iron Dutch oven hinges heavily on the person carrying out the task.

This involves three vital components:-

1. Following the manufacturer’s instructions as closely as possible

This really applies to the enamel-coated cast-iron cookers because they are more fragile than their raw seasoned cast iron cousin.

2. Do not heat pre-heat the pot

A cast-iron Dutch oven – even though very tough – should not be pre-heated before adding anything – food or liquid. There is a chance that cracking and chipping can occur.

Add liquid or oil – heat up slowly, then increase the heat as required.

3. Safety first while boiling water

By this, I mean you must remember how heavy a cast iron pot is when fully laden. You need to be able to carry that pot of boiling water safely.

What is that saying ringing in my head – 43% of all injuries happen in the home?

How to Boil Water in a Cast Iron Dutch Oven

• Fill your cast-iron oven with water and cover it with a heavy lid.
• Start the heat on low, increase it to medium, and then to higher heat until the water boils.
• Use the water or introduce your ingredients.
• When it has boiled, reduce the heat or turn it off.
• Clean and dry thoroughly.

Temperature to Boil Water

This is where the difference in the type of Dutch oven confuses the matter.

Manufacturers of some enamel Dutch ovens advise that the oven should not be heated above 97 degrees and that water needs 100 degrees of heat to boil.

So start with water in the oven on low then increase slowly as outlined above until your water is boiling.

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What Can I Do to Make Water Boil Faster in a Dutch Oven?

The simplest thing to do is to place the heavy lid on the pot from the beginning.

Another tip that I learned years ago is to place a quart of water in the bottom of the cast iron oven and commence the boiling process.

Meanwhile, if you have one on hand – boil water in an electric kettle. When the quart of water has reached the boiling point you can then top up the oven with the boiled water.

How to Use a Dutch Oven on Stove Top

As with anything new, learning to use a Dutch oven on a stovetop will take a little practice. This is mainly because of the heat retention of the cast iron. If the pot becomes too hot, it will take a little while to cool down. You will also encounter sticking or worse cracking if you put cold ingredients into a hot Dutch oven.

In simple terms, follow these steps:

• make sure you have all ingredients chopped, diced, and measured
• place liquid water or oil in the bottom of the Dutch oven
• add ingredients that you need to saute’ or brown
• lastly, add your other ingredients and liquid
• raise the heat slightly until simmering
• lower heat, cover with the lid, and simmer for the required period

Any good recipe will have the instructions for you just remember that Dutch ovens get hot hot hot…

For a little more understanding of Dutch ovens and using them on stovetops check out my article.

Check out some of my best Dutch oven recipes. Become inspired to start cooking delicious meals in these heavy-bottomed pots that are the original slow cooker cooking for long periods of time to make even the toughest meal tender.

FAQs

Can you boil water in a Le Creuset Dutch oven?

Yes, you can boil water in this brand of Dutch oven.

The Le Creuset website says:- “High heat temperatures should only be used for boiling water for vegetables or pasta, or for reducing the consistency of stocks or sauces.”

Is it safe to boil water in a Dutch oven?

Boiling water in a Dutch oven for pasta, rice, soups, and stews is generally a safe and efficient process due to its strong construction and ability to retain heat.

How long does it take to boil water in a Dutch oven?

It will take about 10 minutes to boil a full pot of water on medium-high heat in a Dutch oven. A Dutch oven with thicker walls will require slightly more time, the heat source stovetop, charcoal, or wood may affect boil time as well.

Can I preheat a Dutch oven before adding water?

No, it is best practice to heat the water up with the Dutch oven. This avoids thermal shock from occurring when cold meets hot. It will stop your pot from cracking or shattering and worst still damage your person.

Can you make soup in a Dutch oven?

Yes, soup can be prepared in a Dutch oven. Ensure the cast iron is well seasoned, and once the soup is cooked, remove it from the oven. Clean the iron and dry it thoroughly to avoid rust and corrosion.

Read more about cooking soups in a Dutch oven including tips for great soup every time.

Final Thoughts – Can You Boil Water in a Dutch Oven?

So we have established that you can boil water in a Dutch oven by adhering to the following;

• fill the oven with cold water
• start with low heat, then turn the heat up as required
• keep in mind enamel precautions with flame (keep the flame on the base)
• extreme care to be taken when moving a heavy oven with boiling water
• do not let the water sit in the cast iron indefinitely
• to avoid rust forming – empty and dry thoroughly as soon as possible

Home cooks and campers enjoy your Dutch oven and use it to its full potential.

One-Pot Cooking Rocks!