Breadwinner vs. Big Deal: Which Dutch Oven Should You Buy?

Quick answer

If you bake standard loaves and want a dedicated, easy-release pan, choose the Breadwinner loaf pan. If you prefer a versatile pot for larger batches or multi-use cooking, the Big Deal stock pot offers more capacity. Both are excellent from Great Jones, but they serve different baking styles.

When you're ready to bake bread at home, the pan you choose shapes the loaf. Great Jones offers two popular options: the Breadwinner 1-lb loaf pan and the Big Deal 8-quart stock pot. Each brings unique strengths to your countertop, and the right pick depends on how much bread you bake and how you like to bake it.

In this comparison, we'll break down the key differences between the Breadwinner and the Big Deal, highlighting tradeoffs in capacity, material, and versatility. You'll leave knowing exactly which one deserves a spot in your kitchen.

Capacity and loaf shape

The Breadwinner is a 1-lb loaf pan, designed for classic sandwich-style loaves, banana bread, and pound cakes. Its size is perfect for a small household or for gifting a fresh-baked loaf. The Big Deal, on the other hand, is an 8-quart stock pot. While it's not shaped like a traditional loaf pan, it excels at artisan-style boules and batards because the round interior allows dough to spread and rise freely.

If you bake once a week and want a straightforward loaf for slicing, the Breadwinner's shape delivers exactly that. If you prefer crusty freeform loaves or frequently feed a crowd, the Big Deal's generous 8-quart capacity gives you room to bake larger batches or multiple items at once.

• Breadwinner: 1-lb loaf shape, perfect for standard recipes and neat slices.
• Big Deal: 8-quart round pot, ideal for crusty boules and big batches.

Material and heat behavior

The Breadwinner is made with a custom nontoxic, nonstick coating, so baked goods release effortlessly. Its corrugated bottom helps with even release and reduces scratching. This makes it a fuss-free choice for beginners and a reliable everyday baker.

The Big Deal is a fully clad stock pot, which means it distributes and holds heat evenly. This is key for bread that needs a hot, steady oven environment to develop a crisp crust and open crumb. It's also safe for all stovetops, including induction, so you can use it for stovetop tasks like boiling pasta or making soups, adding versatility beyond baking.

• Breadwinner: Nonstick, easy release, dishwasher-friendly.
• Big Deal: Even heating, stovetop-safe, multi-use.

Versatility beyond bread

The Breadwinner is a specialist: it's fantastic for breads and baked goods but not designed for stovetop cooking. It's oven-safe and dishwasher-friendly, making cleanup simple. But if you want one piece of cookware that can also boil pasta or simmer a stew, the Big Deal steps up.

The Big Deal's oversized handles offer a confident, four-finger grip, even when it's full. Since it's fully clad, you can sear, braise, and boil with the same pot. This versatility means the Big Deal can earn its place on your stovetop every day, not just on baking day.

• Breadwinner: Dedicated baking pan, no stovetop use.
• Big Deal: Stovetop to oven, searing, boiling, and baking.

Tradeoffs at a glance

• Capacity: Breadwinner holds a 1-lb loaf; Big Deal holds 8 quarts. Choose based on your batch size and baking frequency.
• Shape: Breadwinner gives you a classic loaf shape; Big Deal produces round artisan loaves. Think about the bread style you want to bake.
• Material: Breadwinner is nonstick and easy to clean; Big Deal is fully clad for even heating. Nonstick suits low-fuss bakers; even heating suits crust-lovers.
• Versatility: Breadwinner is baking-only; Big Deal works on the stovetop and in the oven. If you want one pot for everything, Big Deal is more versatile.

Great Jones options compared

• Breadwinner: Our 1-lb loaf pan is made with our custom nontoxic, nonstick coating. Plus, we've designed a wavy, corrugated bottom to release baked goods effortlessly and resist scratching. If you want a loaf that releases cleanly without greasing or flouring, the nonstick coating and corrugated bottom save you effort and cleanup.
• Big Deal - Base: Our 8-quart fully clad stock pot is designed to boil water fast and distribute and hold heat evenly. Our oversized handles allow you to get a confident, four-finger grip on your heaviest hauls of pasta. Even heating helps your bread rise and brown consistently, and the secure handles make it safe to move a heavy pot full of dough or pasta.

Which one fits you?

Best for

• Home bakers who make standard 1-lb loaves (sandwich bread, banana bread) and want easy release with minimal cleanup.
• Anyone seeking a dedicated bread pan that's dishwasher-safe and uses a nontoxic nonstick coating.

Not for

• Bakers who prefer crusty freeform sourdough boules—the Big Deal's round shape is better for those.
• Anyone who wants a single pot for both stovetop cooking and baking—the Breadwinner isn't stovetop-safe.

Both the Breadwinner and the Big Deal are well-made Great Jones pieces, but they answer different questions. Choose the Breadwinner for classic loaves and effortless release; choose the Big Deal for big batches, stovetop versatility, and the crusty, bakery-style bread that comes from even heat. Either way, you'll have a dependable tool for your homemade bread adventures.