The Staub 4.97 quart cast iron Dutch Oven is excellent for use far various sauces, stews, soups and browning of meats at a medium to low temperature without sticking. Very easy to clean by soaking with warm water and light agitation with Dawn Dish soap on a wet paper towel. Also great for on a movie night and the use of the Dutch Oven to make a quick batch of pop corn. Pops every kernel. Once again, easy cleanup! Very happy and pleased with this purchase as well as other Staub cast iron cookware we have purchased. Highly recommend!!!LRT47

Awesome, luxurious pan for a great price

Imperfections are visible, but that is reflected in the very low price. A couple bubbles on top, couple on the bottom, a small divet inside and the color on the bottom has a slight circular pattern. It's on the bottom so I don't care. The grey color is very nice. I was unsure about oval shape on my regular gas burners. It heated quite evenly. I carmelized a large batch of chopped onions on medium heat and watched them closely to see if there was uneven heat across the large oval shape. It worked wonderfully. For scalloped potatoes, I then simmered them in a mixture of heavy cream and whole milk. I was very happy with it. I did take 5 min to slowly start heating on med low, using my higher power burner. I chose a large size b/c I braise pork shoulder in a tomato ... MoreImperfections are visible, but that is reflected in the very low price. A couple bubbles on top, couple on the bottom, a small divet inside and the color on the bottom has a slight circular pattern. It's on the bottom so I don't care. The grey color is very nice. I was unsure about oval shape on my regular gas burners. It heated quite evenly. I carmelized a large batch of chopped onions on medium heat and watched them closely to see if there was uneven heat across the large oval shape. It worked wonderfully. For scalloped potatoes, I then simmered them in a mixture of heavy cream and whole milk. I was very happy with it. I did take 5 min to slowly start heating on med low, using my higher power burner. I chose a large size b/c I braise pork shoulder in a tomato sauce that has become a family favorite. I can sear a 9-10 lb Boston Butt in this and then braise it in the oven. The enamel coating can handle tomatoes. I cook other large roasts, etc and make chilli, so 8.5 qt oval is great. It is heavy, but I can handle it fine. The extra weight makes you more deliberate in moving it, so I find that I am less likely to slide it around. I guess if Texas loses power again, I can even use it on my propane grill, on low, since they can take 900 degrees w/o the lid or 500 with it. That seems to be a year round threat in Houston now, from tropical storms or deep freezes.

Cast Iron Round Cocotte in Black

Great product - The Staub Cast Iron Round Cocotte in Black is a kitchen powerhouse. Its durable cast iron ensures even cooking and excellent heat retention, perfect for slow cooking and roasting. The matte black enamel interior is non-stick and easy to clean. With a stylish black exterior that goes from oven to table, it's both functional and elegant, ideal for any culinary enthusiast.

Fast turnaround on a broken cocotte

Really excited to receive this replacement Cocotte. The first one arrived with one of the handles broken into two pieces! The customer care department did a marvelous job in turning around my replacement in less than 10 days. My main concern is that it appears Staub is phasing out the basil color, which is a shame as I personally love my two other basil cocottes. I'd love to purchase a 5 qt tall cocotte if it came in basil. Let me know if that item ever becomes available!

Glad we bought this shape over round

Oval shape is nice for roasts, as well as a turkey carcass for a soup base. Glad we bought this shape over the round. Exterior/Interior cleanup is easy albeit with some handwashing heft. This 7 Qt. arrived arrived secured in a retail box surrounded by a larger, second box so there was no chipping or damage. Satisfied!

Happy Lucky

I decided to take a chance in buying a 7 qt. oval Black matte cocotte with visual imperfections. I imagined it would have slight cosmetic imperfections, not easy to see. I pulled the trigger because the price was so good. I would have never bought it at a higher price. Upon arrival, I inspected it and could feel the inside of the handles slightly rough, and could see a dimple the size of a head pin on the inside bottom of the pot and two tinier than that. However, they are not deep and are not chips, only little indentions. Had I read the one star reviews of people getting a big chip or a cracked pot, and no answer from customer service to their emails or phone calls, I would have never taken a chance. I hope Staub improves their customer service and posts what the ... MoreI decided to take a chance in buying a 7 qt. oval Black matte cocotte with visual imperfections. I imagined it would have slight cosmetic imperfections, not easy to see. I pulled the trigger because the price was so good. I would have never bought it at a higher price. Upon arrival, I inspected it and could feel the inside of the handles slightly rough, and could see a dimple the size of a head pin on the inside bottom of the pot and two tinier than that. However, they are not deep and are not chips, only little indentions. Had I read the one star reviews of people getting a big chip or a cracked pot, and no answer from customer service to their emails or phone calls, I would have never taken a chance. I hope Staub improves their customer service and posts what the imperfections are instead of being surprised. Luckily for me, I got a very nice pot, I would say perfect. I have had it for less than a month and cooked a pot roast and chicken soup twice. I brush it with avocado oil and start heating it on the lowest setting until it gets hot, following recommendations. After washing it, if I see a little discoloration from minerals or food film, I pour vinegar and let the pot soak for 20 to 40 min instead of using Bar Keeper's friend I use Arm and Hammer baking soda with a dishcloth or paper towel to scrub the bottom of the pot. And it's like new again. It is 15 pounds, too heavy for me, I wish it was less heavy. I do like cooking with it.

Pure joy 🧡

This is my 3rd STAUB but 1st pot. It seems a lot to spend on a pot but it worths every penny!Excellent heat & moisture retention. Hard to burn food in it. Shorter heating time means less energy cost.I cook caramelised onions, soup, stew, rice, risotto, etc. so many uses, I use it regularly.On size:31cm is pretty big & heavy. If you don't have strong wrists & muscle, you might struggle lifting/washing. It can cook up to 8-12 portions of rice/soup so great for batch cooking.It gives me joy every time I use it.

Staub Cocotte: Superior Cooking & Service

I highly recommend the Staub cocotte for anyone passionate about cooking. Investing in high-quality cookware like this truly makes cooking a delightful experience. Initially, my cocotte arrived with a defect, but Staub’s customer service was exceptional—they replaced it swiftly and painlessly. Since receiving my new cocotte, every meal I’ve prepared has been nearly perfect, thanks to its even cooking capabilities. Staub’s product line epitomizes luxury and their customer service matches this high standard. Thank you, Staub, for enhancing my cooking adventures!

This cocotte is the perfect size!

I've had this piece in sesame for three years, it's my go to when I want to cook something large or have company and need to make enough for a small army. I've often wished I had another, now I do. The imperfection seems to be that the insides of the handles are a little rough, fine for me, easier to handle. Or maybe the color wasn't quite right for the customer they manufactured it for. Bordeaux is a bright cranberry red, beautiful!The oval shape accommodates almost anything you want to put in it.Staub skillets and cocottes are the best cookware available. They maybe heavy, but they are nearly non-stick with a very light coat of oil and let them heat up slowly on low to medium heat, everything you cook or bake will be amazing. They clean up the same as your ... MoreI've had this piece in sesame for three years, it's my go to when I want to cook something large or have company and need to make enough for a small army. I've often wished I had another, now I do. The imperfection seems to be that the insides of the handles are a little rough, fine for me, easier to handle. Or maybe the color wasn't quite right for the customer they manufactured it for. Bordeaux is a bright cranberry red, beautiful!The oval shape accommodates almost anything you want to put in it.Staub skillets and cocottes are the best cookware available. They maybe heavy, but they are nearly non-stick with a very light coat of oil and let them heat up slowly on low to medium heat, everything you cook or bake will be amazing. They clean up the same as your glass or ceramic.Oh, and the colors are gorgeous! Grenadine is my favorite, but I also have pieces in graphite gray, sesame and matte black because they were on sale. Believe it or not they all get used, some once a month, some several times a day.When they are on sale grab them, don't be afraid of visual imperfections, most of my pieces were clearance items and the imperfections are so minor you never really know why they were deemed imperfect. I have bought upwards of 30 pieces, it is my favorite gift to give, there has been only one piece that had a very visible scratch on the enameled lid, the rest of them I'm still guessing as to why.You can never have too many pieces of Staub.

Visual Imperfection?

This was a visual imperfection item. I am completely impressed by a company that would label what I received as "imperfect." There was a small indentation on the underside of the handle. If I wasn't looking for something, it would have taken months to notice anything. The 4.5 qt is a really nice size. Though oval, it is small enough to fit on the electric element. As my children move out, this size is perfect for smaller meals.