

One common cause of enamel deterioration is temperature shock. Dutch ovens are designed to hold heat, but dramatic temperature changes can put stress on the enamel. For example, if you take a Dutch oven directly from a hot oven and place it on a cold surface or pour cold ingredients into it, the sudden temperature shift can cause the enamel to crack or chip. To mitigate this, always allow your Dutch oven to cool gradually, and avoid extreme temperature changes.
Another important aspect of good skillets is their size and shape
. Skillets come in various diameters, from small ones ideal for cooking a single serving to large ones perfect for family meals. A larger skillet can be particularly advantageous for one-pan dishes, where multiple ingredients can be cooked together, absorbing each other's flavors and minimizing cleanup. The flared edges of a skillet also facilitate easy flipping and stirring, ensuring that every ingredient is cooked evenly.