which size le creuset dutch oven?

[Anonymous]

I'm going to buy a Le Creuset dutch oven for my spouse for Christmas. It's our first one. He does a ton of cooking, so I know he'll be really excited about this! I can't decide, though, whether I should get the 7.25 quart or the 9 quart. We are a family of four with two teen boys. Is the 7.25 quart (serves 7-8) a good size for most recipes? I envision him using it for stews, roasts, whole chickens (we usually do a 5 lb), etc.

[Anonymous]

I have the 7qt and would get the 9qt in a second if I had somewhere to store it. But with it's width, it won't fit anywhere in my cabinets. I wished I had the larger size for soups and stews to keep them from splattering all over the stove.

[Anonymous]

I have a 5 qt one and it is fine for family of 4. I mostly cook meats in it. The 7 should be fine. I think 9 is huge (and heavy) but it depends ultimately what your husband is planning to prepare in it. If he’s going to put a whole goose then may be you need the 9 one, but it’s really huge. Go with 7.

[Anonymous]

The 7 is great for a family of 4. I use ours all the time.

[Anonymous]

I have the 7 and use it weekly (family of 4).

[Anonymous]

I have a 7 quart one and love it, perfect for family meals. I am looking forward to using it more in winter for soups and stews.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, everyone!

[Anonymous]

I only use the 3.5 quart size

[Anonymous]

My gut is to get the largest possible if you have the room to store it.

[Anonymous]

Get the 9-quart.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My gut is to get the largest possible if you have the room to store it.

I store mine (clean) in the oven. It's used weekly, so we keep it readily available.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My gut is to get the largest possible if you have the room to store it.

I store mine (clean) in the oven. It's used weekly, so we keep it readily available.

Same. I really like having a big one.

[Anonymous]

Has anyone ever bought the 13 or 15 quart pot? It’s ideal for my needs on paper, but I’m not sure how real life use would work out.

[Anonymous]

I have a 15-quart. It is very heavy when full. I only use it for Thanksgiving when we have a table of 20.

[Anonymous]

I have the 13. I use it for pork butt, soups, poaching Christmas duck. It’s also nice that the bottom is so large when I’m browning/shallow frying