Staub 1102825 Cast Iron Round Cocotte, 6-1/4-Quart, Black Matte

The finish on this is a bit rougher than expected at this price point. The upper edge where the lid touches feels a bit too grindy for something that is enameled. Even my Lodge doesn't have that kind of grind to it. I would have gone with the other big name but it was just way over the top too much for what it is, even this on sale was a stretch. Then there is the lid. Everyone said the lid had a tight seal. It doesn't, it slides around a pretty good ways on top of the pot. In fact, I don't see how this thing is going to keep any moisture in it with that kind of slop in the lid.I do like the lid design with the basting bumps on it, the bottom of the pot being less rounded and more right angled at the edges, the handles provide a bigger loop than my old one, and ... MoreThe finish on this is a bit rougher than expected at this price point. The upper edge where the lid touches feels a bit too grindy for something that is enameled. Even my Lodge doesn't have that kind of grind to it. I would have gone with the other big name but it was just way over the top too much for what it is, even this on sale was a stretch. Then there is the lid. Everyone said the lid had a tight seal. It doesn't, it slides around a pretty good ways on top of the pot. In fact, I don't see how this thing is going to keep any moisture in it with that kind of slop in the lid.I do like the lid design with the basting bumps on it, the bottom of the pot being less rounded and more right angled at the edges, the handles provide a bigger loop than my old one, and finally it is much lighter than my old 7 1/2 quart.Would I buy it again? No. The finish on it is simply not up to any standard that would match the price point and the lid is a loose, sloppy mess that grinds on the rim which is sure to wear the enamel off in short order and make this a total loss instead of a buy it for life pot. Complete pass.

I bought this 4qt cocotte in French blue during the Black Friday sale. I already owned a Le Creuset 5.5qt and 7.25qt Dutch oven but the price for Staub was so good here at Sur la table that I just couldn't resist. This size is perfect when cooking smaller batches. I usually end up with about 3 generous portions of food which is great because I eat one immediately, have another portion for the next day and end up freezing the third for those days when I don't feel like cooking. If I compare it to Le Creuset I honestly can't say a single negative thing about either. Both are of the highest quality cookware that is out there. The main difference is the interior color and the lid and knob design. With Le Creuset the light interior helps caramelizing food and not burning ... MoreI bought this 4qt cocotte in French blue during the Black Friday sale. I already owned a Le Creuset 5.5qt and 7.25qt Dutch oven but the price for Staub was so good here at Sur la table that I just couldn't resist. This size is perfect when cooking smaller batches. I usually end up with about 3 generous portions of food which is great because I eat one immediately, have another portion for the next day and end up freezing the third for those days when I don't feel like cooking. If I compare it to Le Creuset I honestly can't say a single negative thing about either. Both are of the highest quality cookware that is out there. The main difference is the interior color and the lid and knob design. With Le Creuset the light interior helps caramelizing food and not burning it and with Staub the little "pointy" things on the lid help hold in the moisture slightly better for baking crusty bread. Also the metal lid knob can withstand the higher heat while in the oven. But with that being said you can buy a Le Creuset knob replacement. I make soups, stews, curries, rice, dried beans, bread, you name it. There is nothing more satisfying than having a tough cut of meat fall apart with a fork after it has been slowly braised in a cast iron pot. It's really a joy for me to use. I love both equally and I would highly recommend it especially if you can het it on sale.

I purchased this Staub piece when I used to live in NYC with the intention that it would give me a connection to a city that I had lived in for many years. This piece not only brings me great feelings of nostalgia but continues to become a trove or memories attached with every dish that I cook in it. First, this Dutch oven is constructed with the upmost care and is clearly designed with function and durability without compromising on style (it’s gorgeous!). Second, this pot is absolutely versatile and can be used to make a plethora of things! Avoid spending unnecessary money on gimmicky kitchen gizmo and gadgets and invest in a quality piece of cooking equipment. Finally, be prepared to have this pot always out and always used! This piece of cookware is not only to ... MoreI purchased this Staub piece when I used to live in NYC with the intention that it would give me a connection to a city that I had lived in for many years. This piece not only brings me great feelings of nostalgia but continues to become a trove or memories attached with every dish that I cook in it. First, this Dutch oven is constructed with the upmost care and is clearly designed with function and durability without compromising on style (it’s gorgeous!). Second, this pot is absolutely versatile and can be used to make a plethora of things! Avoid spending unnecessary money on gimmicky kitchen gizmo and gadgets and invest in a quality piece of cooking equipment. Finally, be prepared to have this pot always out and always used! This piece of cookware is not only to cook but a statement piece when serving. Worth every penny just remember to give it the proper care!

An item of cookware CAN be a timeless work of art!

The Staub Cherry Cocotte is a beautiful piece of cookware, completely in another league from any of its competitors—even Le Creuset. I love my Staub, more than any other kitchen item I own. Everything about it speaks of delight in quality and artisanship.My Staub was not made in a factory, but in a foundry. It has a palpable majesty and presence, sitting on my benchtop. Really. Even in the store, it stuck out from the rest. The Staub is a work of art and fine design. Heavy, solid, timeless, like a sculpture. The black interior completes that integration of style and function.I've always loved cooking foods slowly with the lid on. Somehow it preserves the intrinsic goodness of the food in the alchemy of cooking. And in the Staub cocotte, with its beautifully ... MoreThe Staub Cherry Cocotte is a beautiful piece of cookware, completely in another league from any of its competitors—even Le Creuset. I love my Staub, more than any other kitchen item I own. Everything about it speaks of delight in quality and artisanship.My Staub was not made in a factory, but in a foundry. It has a palpable majesty and presence, sitting on my benchtop. Really. Even in the store, it stuck out from the rest. The Staub is a work of art and fine design. Heavy, solid, timeless, like a sculpture. The black interior completes that integration of style and function.I've always loved cooking foods slowly with the lid on. Somehow it preserves the intrinsic goodness of the food in the alchemy of cooking. And in the Staub cocotte, with its beautifully sealing and self-basting lid, cooking slowly on a low heat, that magic of the cooking process is highlighted. It's an effortless process. The pot does all the work, like an incubator. And the food comes out imbued with the qualities imparted by the pot.Buy it for life, as they say. Treasure it. And make delicious food :-)

First Dutch oven purchase a success

The 7qt in turquoise is my first Dutch oven, and I can't stop looking at it! Perfect for batch cooking, especially roasts and meat stews. The enameled cast iron makes such a difference in retaining cooking heat and cooking everything evenly. With my other pans, higher heat was needed to keep a simmer, but this Dutch oven lets me get that same simmer at a lower burner setting. The result is more tender meats, vegetables that don't get mushy, and flavorful broths. I didn't become a better cook overnight; this pot made all the difference in elevating my standard recipes to a new level

First Quality Price Second Quality Pot

I asked for one thing for Christmas, this pan. My Mother gladly ordered it, it took over double the time to get it than what they had said. She kept all the packing, because she didn't have time to exchange it, it came right before Christmas.The pan had pit marks all over it, I could have probably lived with, but I knew that wasn't normal, I have several other Staub pans in this gray. The real isssue for me was the handle. It looked like a bubble had formed and burst in the manufacturing process. Now, if my Mother would have paid like half price for this and got it as a second, I would have gladly kept it and used it, but she didn't. This pot was clearly not first quality and if this pot is Staub's idea of first quality they have issues.The return process was a ... MoreI asked for one thing for Christmas, this pan. My Mother gladly ordered it, it took over double the time to get it than what they had said. She kept all the packing, because she didn't have time to exchange it, it came right before Christmas.The pan had pit marks all over it, I could have probably lived with, but I knew that wasn't normal, I have several other Staub pans in this gray. The real isssue for me was the handle. It looked like a bubble had formed and burst in the manufacturing process. Now, if my Mother would have paid like half price for this and got it as a second, I would have gladly kept it and used it, but she didn't. This pot was clearly not first quality and if this pot is Staub's idea of first quality they have issues.The return process was a nightmare, not to mention... if you have to call customer service, be sure to have an extra couple hours, because that how long it takes for them to pick up.After the pain return process, my Mother get her credit card statement, she sees it has been refunded. So she calls and waits on hold for almost two hours. The girl says "No, I see here it is suppose to be exchanged, let me check to see if it is in stock"... she checked, it was in stock. So she then says she will have to reach out to the return department.Finally my Mother gets a email pretty much stating they are understaffed and don't want to deal with it so they just refunded her.Way to run a company Stuab!I will be reviewing this product on every website I can find, just so Staub knows how unhappy I am with their pot and their lazy customer service.

I Returned It

I love Staub. I have a 4 qt Dutch oven, a 1.5 qt rice cooker, and the mini wok. I love all of them. I wasn’t impressed by the color (lavender) and, being that it’s a half quart shy of the standard 6 quart, I decided to return it and get the 7 quart. However, by the time you processed the return for the 5 1/2 quart, the 7 quart was no longer on its neverending sale and was available for $440-$470, which I haven’t been able to stomach doing. So I’m waiting for it to go on sale again, but several holidays have come and gone with no sale on the 7 quart, so who knows when that will ever happen again? Staub cookware is the best. Nothing cooks like a Staub.

Perfect for tomato sauce and more

Determining size was the biggest issue for me, so this review will cover size for anyone wondering: For decades I made tomato sauce in a heavy clad pot. The Staub 8.75 is simply a better pot for this. This cocotte held 3-28oz cans tomatoes, 1-28oz can puree, 6lbs meatballs, 5lbs sausage. It was to the top - over the cover line - so I didn't try putting the cover on. Differences between the stainless and the Staub - the Staub required a lower heat letting. My electric range was at the lowest setting and provided a nice simmer. The Staub cleaned up much easier. Nothing stuck to the sides or bottom. A simple wipe with cloth to clean. The stainless did brown meat better. Overall, this is an excellent cocotte. The finish is beautiful.

Poorly Enameled Lid

The lip inside the lid is poorly enameled. It arrived already slightly rusted where it's not fully coated. For the price point on these, I expected top quality. Other than that I'd give it five stars. I purchased the 7 quart in basil. The design of the lid is nice. It does truly hold all of the moisture in. Very nice for slow cooking. The lid doesn't rattle while cooking either. The color is very pretty, but it is slightly different than pictured. I liked the picture better. I also like that the interior is black so no staining. Great if you like to make curries. The quality did not meet my expectations though.

STAUB COCOTTE 13.25 the Ultimate cooking device

This MONSTER of a Dutch oven is my favorite cooking device ever. I originally bought the 10 quart and loved it for many years as my ex-wife and I cooked marvelous meals for the family. The advantage of cooking with this cocotte becomes obvious after the first use. You can meal prep for a week or longer or simply cook for MANY people or a party. The quick shift from stove to oven is such an advantage. I make my favorite dish “Arroz con Pollo a la Chorrera” just like my Abuela did but she would probably say it comes out better in this elegant cooking piece. Anyway, they are hard to find in this size but if you do, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND buying it.