As we head into winter, it feels like almost all the good recipes out there call for a Dutch oven.

So if you don't have one already, should you buy into the hype?

We caught up with food writer, passionate home cook and longtime Dutch oven owner Melissa Woodley to chat everything Dutch ovens.

"The main reason Dutch ovens are so great is that they're so versatile," Melissa says.

"They're huge, which means they're really good for cooking larger meals when you're having friends over … and you can use them for things like browning meat, braising, roasting, baking or deep-frying as well as one-pot dishes, for example."

Melissa thinks this adaptability makes them "capable of celebrating all cultures".

"You could make curries, stews or soups in a Dutch oven, or a beautiful pasta or baked risotto. Even bread. And I like making falafels in mine.

"They're such inclusive pots."

They could also help you move further toward zero-waste cooking — Melissa uses her Dutch oven to make batches of stock using saved vegetable scraps.

So … how exactly does one pot manage to be and do so much?

"What's unique about Dutch ovens is they retain a steady heat," Melissa explains.

This is thanks to their thick base, walls and fitted lid, which is what makes them different to cook with compared to regular saucepans and other non-stick pots.

"Whether you're cooking at a high or low heat, they always retain heat and distribute it evenly, which means you don't need to constantly monitor whatever you're cooking," she continues.

"When the lid is on, the condensation in the pot can't escape, so it stays in the food and enhances the taste over time."

So that's all the pros. As for the negatives?

They're very bulky and heavy, and they can be tough to clean.

This is because you have to be careful not to damage Dutch ovens coated in enamel when you're washing them (which can be a bit tricky after they've been bubbling away on the stove for many hours beforehand). They generally need to soak for a while before this is attempted.

Get a feel for making sourdough bread at home without investing your whole day in it.

If you think you'd use a Dutch oven about once a month or more, Melissa says she'd recommend getting one.

That's how often she uses her mid-range Dutch oven, which was passed down to her. It's been used by her and her family for about 20 years, give or take.

Trawl the internet and you'll find new Dutch ovens for as little as $40. On the other end, they can go for as much as $1,200.

If you think you'd use one relatively regularly and you have the cash, Melissa suggests investing in a mid-range to higher-end one.

But don't worry if that's not in the budget.

"With proper care, buying a top-end one or the cheapest one you can find shouldn't have too much of an impact. They tend to have a long life either way," she explains.

And there also tend to be heaps of secondhand mid-range Dutch ovens of varying sizes for sale on online marketplaces. If you do find one you like that way, just make sure it doesn't have any chips in the enamel inside the pot.

"There's nothing wrong with a secondhand one. It only adds to the experience of having a Dutch oven. It just adds a bit of a character and it's good to give them a second life," Melissa finishes.

Be a part of the ABC Everyday community by joining our Facebook group.

Get our newsletter for the best of ABC Everyday each week

ABC Everyday helps you navigate life's challenges and choices so you can stay on top of the things that matter to you.

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.