An empty dutch oven can be preheated in the oven. BUT DON'T preheat the empty pot on your stovetop as it can cause your cookware to crack or break. Small dutch oven with lid of size 14”x 6”(L x H) serves 2- 3 people, perfect for making individual quick lunches and dinners, warm milk or fried egg on breakfast, making pasta sauce, even a perfect lemon curd to use for dessert, Great for a variety of cooking techniques such as boiling, stewing.