I have several top of the line Dutch oven's, each costing several hundred dollars. If there was room in my kitchen for one more, I'd buy it. So when my daughter needed one, this is the one I got her--it's light weight and easy to lift, but doesn't scorch the food because the base is heavy. It washes up well, goes into the oven, and is easy to clean. I own several of the Da Terra products and they are the ones I reach for every day, and the ones I gift my friends and family.