Before you get all huffy, I understand that a Dutch oven is the workhorse of any kitchen. I have one at my home too. But I will stand by what I said: the Chikusen donabe hot pot might be an excellent replacement for the heavy metal cookware, especially for people who live alone. Let’s break it down to make it more understandable. Donabe is a Japanese hot pot, which does it all. The Chikusen donabe is an earthenware vessel with amazing heat distribution and retention, perfect for cooking a wide variety of foods.
Made from natural petalite material using traditional Banko-yaki pottery methods, the Chikusen donabe is a must-have for any home chef who wants to get the most out of the food’s umami flavor. The best part, for me at least, is that this pot is versatile and can be used to make rice, slow-cook soups, steam or smoke meats, fish, and vegetables.
The donabe has heat-retentive and resistant qualities similar to those of cast iron; however, it is much lighter. Weighing at just 1.8 kg (3.9 lbs), the Chikusen donabe has a capacity of 3 cups of rice, as the maker puts it, which is roughly 852 ml. This is perfect for someone who lives alone or as a couple, where you’d rather have a versatile small pot.
The petalite material is heat-resistant and can tolerate high temperatures, whether used over an open fire or in the oven. Another interesting aspect of the Chikusen donabe is that, compared to metal pots, cooking in the clay vessel increases the production of glutamic acid, a key component in creating umami flavours, by 30 percent. This can be attributed to the porous nature of the material, which allows the food to heat slowly, thereby breaking down the enzymes slowly to bring out the most flavor from your food.
The pot has a lid with protrusions on its underside. Its unique construction allows the steam to condense efficiently, which helps the water content of the ingredients circulate appropriately. This ensures that none of the umami flavors or the nutritional value of the ingredients escapes. It further helps in waterless cooking, where you cook meats or vegetables using their water content. The Chikusen donabe has ergonomic handles that allow safe movement of the pot from the countertop to the oven and the table.
Also Read: Lightweight Bare Dutch Oven Gives Traditional Cookware 2-Ply Makeover for Durability
But that isn’t even the best part. Unlike a cast iron Dutch oven, susceptible to rust, or an enameled Dutch oven, prone to chipping, the Chikusen donabe’s clay construction needs no seasoning. It is resistant to mold and residual odors.
The pot is available in brown and black colorways. It is one of the best cookware you can have if you are looking to replace your bulky Dutch oven with a one-person pot. It is currently crowdfunding on Kickstarter, where you can pre-book it for ¥17,600 (about $120) Early Bird offer.
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