A dutch oven is a heavy cooking pot with a tight-fitting lid. It's perfect for braising, stewing and baking. Dutch ovens are usually made of cast iron or enameled cast iron. They come in different sizes, but the most common size is a 3-quart pot.
Most dutch ovens come preseasoned, which means they've been treated with vegetable oil to create a nonstick surface. If your dutch oven isn't preseasoned, or if you want to refresh the seasoning, it's easy to do at home.
To season a dutch oven, start by heating it in a 400 degree F oven for 30 minutes. Then, rub the inside and outside of the pot with vegetable oil or shortening. Next, place the pot upside down on a baking sheet lined with foil and bake it for another hour. After that, let the pot cool completely before using it.
Seasoning your dutch oven will help create a nonstick surface and prevent rusting. It's also necessary if you plan on using your dutch oven to cook acidic foods like tomatoes or vinegar-based sauces.