The 10 Best Cast Iron Cauldrons
Special Honors
The Ranch Boss by Cowboy Cauldron Company The Ranch Boss by Cowboy Cauldron Company is crafted from steel, not cast iron, but when it comes to an amply-sized, high-quality fire pit and grill, it's definitely a top option. At 42 inches in diameter and 220 pounds, it demands quite a bit of room, both in your backyard and your budget. cowboycauldron.com
Le Creuset Dutch Oven Thanks to its enamel coating, the strong and sturdy Le Creuset Dutch Oven needs no seasoning, and will last a lifetime. It's offered in plenty of sizes, from 1 to 13.5 quarts, as well as a rainbow of color choices, from Licorice to Cerise. lecreuset.com
Carolina Cooker Waxed Stew Pot When you need to feed a group the size of a small army, consider the Carolina Cooker Waxed Stew Pot, a 90-gallon behemoth that will help you serve up chili, stews, boiled seafood, and more. For ease of use, it comes with a three-legged stand, but note that there's no lid available. agrisupply.com
Editor's Notes
June 12, 2020:
Cast iron cauldrons are handy tools that are perfect for cooking, burning incense, decorating an altar, and so much more. That's why we've kept a range of sizes, from tiny pieces that fit in your hand, to large pots for all those recipes you'd make in a soup pot or Dutch oven. Note that many smaller cast iron cauldrons are made for altar or decorative use, and may not be food-safe, as they may be coated or painted.
On the smaller end of the size spectrum, there's the New Age Imports Pentagram and the New Age Triple Moon, but we removed the Meta Pot Triquetra, due to concerns about potential leaks. All of the former sport decorative symbols; for something small but unadorned, there's the Govinda Plain or the New Age Imports 3-Inch.
If you need something larger for cooking, look to the Lodge HCK, the Bayou Classic Soup, or the Best Duty Potjie. The Lodge model requires you to purchase a lid separately, but as fans of cast iron cookware most likely already know, pieces from Lodge are high-quality and built for the long haul. For something a little different, we opted to add the Mangal Grills Kazan Wok, just the tool for creating authentic shorpa, plov, pilaf, and more. It's quite pricey, but the walls are thick and even for excellent heat distribution, and it comes pre-seasoned for your convenience.