Why You Should Never Use Sharp Cooking Tools With Your Dutch Oven

A Dutch oven is an essential cooking pot. Bon Appétit shares that these covered pots made of enameled cast iron are known for their ability to retain heat and are the key to meats you want to cook on low heat for long periods, as well as dishes that require braising. Bob's Red Mill Blog notes that this kitchen tool is quite versatile and can be used for breads, soups, cookies, and casseroles. 

Per Wasserstrom, the invention of the Dutch oven can be traced back to the Netherlands in the 17th Century. Those early versions of this pot were made of costly copper and brass. An English man by the name of Abraham Darby decided to figure out a way to retain the quality of the Dutch oven but make it cheaper using cast iron. While the first attempts did not produce immediate success, Darby persisted and went on to create a Dutch oven that was economically accessible to the masses. Today, this pot is still beloved. It is durable and easy to use. Some of the best uses of your Dutch oven include using it over an open flame, according to Taste of Home. When it comes to caring for this prized pot, you should never use sharp cooking tools, and here's why.

Dutch ovens definitely require some TLC, especially when it comes to what kitchen tools you use with them. According to Southern Living, you never want to use sharp kitchen gadgets with your Dutch oven to avoid scratching and compromising its enamel finish. A metal fork might be the closest utensil within arm's reach, but as the Greatist notes, this is a hard no. This is important because not only can it affect your cooking results it could send some pangs to your pocketbook.

If you've ever gone shopping for a Dutch oven, you know they can be kind of pricey depending on the brand you prefer. Per Serious Eats, you can spend anywhere from $420 on a Le Creuset Dutch Oven to $304 on a Staub Dutch oven to $100 on a Cuisinart. So instead of reaching for anything metal, it is recommended you use kitchen items made of wooden, silicone, or heat-resistant plastic when cooking with your Dutch oven.

What if you do chip or scratch your Dutch oven? The Greatist reveals there really aren't any fixes for these types of causalities. If you find your pot roast isn't as delicious and juicy pre-scratch, then you may want to consider investing in a new one.