I just ordered a cookbook strictly with recipes for a dutch oven. I love to cook and bought one for less than $20, and it has served the purpose. In this new book though, you cook breads, desserts, etc. with it. Do you think the cheaper kind would work for these recipes? Thanks :)

yes you do.

There are many kinds of dutch ovens. I think the kind you are talking about are the cast iron ones that you cook with coals. If you just have the lidded kettle type for a indoor range, I don't think it's the same and I don't think you will get the same results. The cast iron, footed kind are meant to have the heat source (coals) on top and it works like an oven. So, I would say that you need a new one if you want to make those kind of recipes.

If its a dutch oven, its a dutch oven. It shouldn't matter the price. I'm still using one that my Grandma had for 50 yrs.