The bread test cemented this oven as my top choice ... a more symmetrical loaf and a more domed crust. In general, oval Dutch ovens are better for baking and cooking large cuts of meat.
but Le Creuset has many fans who believe it's the best Dutch oven for sourdough bread baking (though that's better done in a 4- to 5-quart round Dutch oven and not the 6.75-quart oval one). I chose ...
To score bread, you first form the dough into a round boule, an oblong bâtard ... bread pan or combo cooker (a combined skillet and Dutch oven) and bake. The seam will open up at random places ...