We recommend casserole dishes and Dutch ovens that score at least 80% overall.

This overall score is made up of performance (40%) and ease of use (60%).

We assess performance by cooking brown rice, bolognaise sauce and oven baked bread. The results for these three tests are weighted equally to get the performance score.

We cook brown rice to assess each Dutch oven's ability to cook evenly and maintain the desired level of heat at the lowest temperature setting. The test also assesses the interior coating's capability, whether rice sticks to the bottom or not, as well as how well the lid seals.

We cook a bolognaise sauce to assess each Dutch oven's ability to slow cook while maintaining low temperature for a long period of time as well as its ability to brown the meat evenly. We also record if any staining caused by the tomato sauce occurs.

We bake bread to assess each Dutch oven's ability to withstand time in a very hot oven as well as its ability to prove and bake a loaf of bread.

We cook chilli beef as a way of comparing casserole pots and Dutch ovens to slow cookers. The dish is scored for appearance and texture, with deductions for dark or dried-out areas, overcooked texture or food stuck to the pot. This result doesn't form part of the CHOICE Expert Rating.

We assess the durability of the lid and pot edge by lifting the lid on and off 25 times and then hitting the side of the bowl 50 times with a metal spoon. We also check how comfortable the handle is to hold, the size of the knob and how close it sits to the lid, if it and the side handles are easy to grip with an oven mitt, and whether the threading of the knob becomes loose. In addition to this we assess how easy the pot is to clean.

Time taken to boil 1 litre of water.

'Tested model' refers to Dutch ovens that are currently available in shops and online, while 'Discontinued model' refers to Dutch ovens that are no longer available in shops, but may be available second-hand.

The recommended retail price (RRP) at the time of testing.

Pay particular attention to the manufacturer's instructions in regards to care and seasoning the cookware before first use. Most manufacturers recommend simply washing the pot in warm, soapy water. Some may even recommend smearing the interior with vegetable oil.

Whether the cookware is oven safe, and if so to what temperature.

Are there steam vents on the lid?