[Usage Review] - SOTO Dutch Oven 10 Inch -

This article will explain the pros and cons of the "SOTO Dutch Oven 10 inch." We interviewed a family of three who actually use it to learn about their experience.

・Basic Information

【SOTO Stainless Steel Dutch Oven 10 inch (ST-910)】Estimated Price: 20,000 yen (excluding tax)
・Body size
　Inner diameter: 25.9 cm x 11.5 cm deep
　Outer dimensions: 35 cm x 28 cm x 16 cm high
　Weight: Approx. 5.2 kg
　Material: Stainless steel
　Country of origin: Japan
　Full capacity: 5.2 liters
　Compatible with IH cooking heaters (200V), gas stoves, electric plates, halogen heaters, etc.

・The SOTO Dutch Oven comes in a total of four sizes, including 8-inch, 10-inch half, and 12-inch.
(*Our family of three opted for the 10-inch, which is suitable for cooking for four people. Please consider the size according to your needs.)

・Advantages of choosing the SOTO Dutch Oven

・No seasoning required, making maintenance a breeze!

　Made entirely of stainless steel, so it's rust-resistant.

Since it's not made of cast iron, there's no need to worry about humidity, and management is hassle-free. Don't you agree that it's quite bothersome to apply oil and season it every time to prevent rust?

As someone with a lazy personality, I wanted to avoid the seasoning process, so I chose this all-stainless steel Dutch oven.

Even after cooking at camp, it requires no upkeep and can be quickly put away. It's so easy to handle that I always bring it with me when I go camping.

Of course, it's also easy to clean at home, so I think it would be very useful.

・Excellent durability and impact resistance!

There's no risk of it breaking if you accidentally drop it.

I actually dropped it from about 1 meter once, but it was completely fine.

If it had been a cast iron Dutch oven, it probably would have been a goner.

I bought it about four years ago and have used it for camping and cooking at home several times a year, and it's still holding up without any signs of deterioration.

・Superb heat retention!

Stainless steel really excels at heat retention, which is fantastic. Reheating cooked food when you're about to eat it is

a bother, isn't it? Especially in winter, cooked food can cool down quickly, requiring constant reheating. And then, it takes so long to warm up, making you feel "ugh..." Haven't you had that experience? This Dutch oven solves that problem. If you close the lid tightly, it will keep your food warm for a long time.

・Concerns about the SOTO Dutch Oven

・Higher price compared to cast iron Dutch ovens

I compared it with a similar product, the 【LOGOS SL Dutch Oven 10 inch】, and found that the price was more than double.

However, there are valid reasons for this. First, seasoning is not required.

Cast iron Dutch ovens require a process after use: fill with water and boil, then scrub with a brush to wash, then heat to evaporate moisture, and finally apply oil to season before storing.

In contrast, an all-stainless steel Dutch oven simply needs to be washed with detergent and wiped dry after use. Compared to cast iron, maintenance is significantly easier.

Next, it's resistant to sudden temperature changes and impacts. Cast iron Dutch ovens are said to be vulnerable to drops and sudden temperature changes (thermal shock).

They can crack if accidentally dropped or if cold water is poured into them while hot. Stainless steel, on the other hand, is formed from a single large sheet of steel, making it more resistant to impacts and temperature changes than cast iron.

Since it's rust-resistant stainless steel, there's no need to apply rust-preventive oil.

This means you can even store leftover food overnight. You don't have to bother transferring it to a container; you can just reheat and eat it. Considering these pros and cons, I think the price is justifiable.

・Color of the Dutch oven

When choosing, some people might prioritize "appearance."

　The SOTO Dutch oven is silver, so it might be excluded by those looking for a black Dutch oven.

However, the design is simple yet stylish, and it develops a nice patina over years of use. Also, being silver makes dirt more visible, which is a plus.

・The fact that no seasoning is required

While I mentioned this as a benefit earlier, some people might prefer to "nurture" their Dutch oven by seasoning it with oil every time.

For those individuals, this would be a drawback.

・It gets sooty and turns black if placed in a bonfire (wood)

Once, I put it into a fire made with wood instead of charcoal, and the surface turned completely black. (*It can be removed if you scrub it thoroughly.) If you want to maintain the silver color of the stainless steel and don't want to polish it every time, I recommend heating it with charcoal.

・User Experience

I'd like to share my personal impressions of using the 【SOTO Stainless Steel Dutch Oven 10 inch】.

First, my cooking repertoire has expanded. Since purchasing it four years ago, I've brought it to every camping trip and cooked Dutch oven dishes. I've successfully made delicious roast beef, no-water curry, pork miso soup, and various other dishes. In addition to heating from the bottom, I can also place charcoal on the lid to apply heat from both top and bottom, which makes vegetables and meat much more tender compared to a regular pot.

　And best of all, it's incredibly easy to clean and requires no maintenance.

As mentioned in the pros and cons, it depends on the user's needs, but for ease of use, the 【SOTO Dutch Oven 10 inch】 is definitely superior.

・Summary

This time, I've shared the pros and cons of the 【SOTO Stainless Steel Dutch Oven 10 inch】.

I encourage you to choose a Dutch oven that suits your personality and needs, and give cooking with it a try. A single Dutch oven can greatly enrich your camping meals and make camping even more enjoyable, so why not consider buying one?!

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