A good Dutch oven or cocotte will last you a lifetime. It is not just a pot, but a versatile kitchen piece that can replace several others. Dutch ovens can be used for everything from making soup to baking bread. I even use them for deep frying donuts. They go from stovetop to oven seamlessly and can withstand exceptionally high heat. They even work on induction stovetops.

There is not a week that goes by when I do not break out a Dutch oven. Dutch ovens offer thick cast iron pots with heavy lids that create a good seal. The construction of the pot provides a nice, consistent heat, and the lid holds moisture and improves flavor. This moisture retention is excellent for long cooking times, where Dutch ovens and cocottes excel.

How Much to Expect to Pay

Look, a quality Dutch oven is not cheap; there is no getting around it. The most common size for a Dutch oven is between 5.5 and 6 quarts. For one that size, you will be looking at spending between $300 and $500. This is definitely an investment, but one you will likely only have to make once.

What is Unique About Staub?

Brands such as Staub and Le Creuset Dutch ovens dominate the market for a reason. They have a reputation for quality and durability. Staub makes a quality product. They may not be quite as old as the competitor Le Creuset, but they offer a limited lifetime warranty. This protects against any manufacturer defects that may arise. This is literally a lifelong purchase.

In terms of design, you may notice that the inside of most Staub pots and pans are black. Some assume this means the outside is an enamel finish, and the inside is simply seasoned cast iron, but the inside is actually a textured black enameled cast iron. The darker color allows food to brown better than light interiors, though it is more difficult to clean.

Finally, one of the crucial elements is that most (though not all) Staub cocottes come with little spikes on the interior of the lid. This causes condensation to drop back onto the food, braising it without any effort on your part. This is even better for trapping moisture in food.

Cocottes vs. Dutch ovens

There is a lot of terminology thrown around for these kinds of pots. Dutch ovens, cocottes, French ovens -- these are all names for essentially the same thing. A Dutch oven simply refers to the type of cast iron pot with a tight-fitting lid. This name comes from the creator in the 17th century, who was Dutch. These ovens were originally made of seasoned cast iron with no additional coating.

However, brands such as Staub, which is French, added an enamel coating. So, a French oven typically refers to an enameled Dutch oven. Cocotte is just another name for this type of pot. Pots labeled cocotte do tend to be both smaller and heavier than a standard Dutch oven. Still, there are no hard-set definitive differences, and the names are often used interchangeably.

How to Pick Your Dutch Oven

• Consider the size you need
• Consider your storage space
• Think about your uses, such as whether you roast or simmer more often
• Think about what color you want

How to Use and Clean a Dutch Oven

Staub cocottes are incredibly versatile. They hold heat and moisture well, which makes them great for making hearty stews and for slow cooking. But at the same time, they can be used to make a roast or casseroles. The spiked lid even helps to make roasts moist and succulent.

As long as your Staub cocotte is cleaned appropriately, it will last forever. Because they are made of enameled cast iron, there is less chance of rusting. However, if you do get a chip in the enamel, a rust spot can form. While not ideal, chipping will likely happen over the life of your cocotte. Make sure to keep it clean and dry. Most Staub cocottes are dishwasher-safe, but hand washing is recommended.

Because of the textured black interior, it can be more difficult to clean your pot. Make sure to thoroughly clean the interior to remove any food residue. The good news is stains will not show.

Most utensils are suitable for use in a Staub Dutch oven. Wood and silicon are the gentlest, whereas metal and stainless steel can cause light scratching.

My Recommended Products

1. Best Overall: Staub Cast Iron Round Cocotte 5.5

If you will buy just one cocotte, let it be this one. At 5.5 quarts, it is right in the ideal size range for most purposes. This cocotte is more expensive than some others, but you are absolutely getting a piece you will use forever. 5.5 quarts is large enough to hold a small chicken, as well as large enough to cook a pot of soup or stew. Round Dutch ovens are the most common, meaning many recipes have been tested using this shape. The metal knob stands up to high heat. This is important to note because some other brands use plastic or Teflon-based knobs, which means while the pot itself can withstand high heat, the knobs can’t.

Really, the only downside to this particular cocotte is if you want a larger or smaller size. If you do want a larger size, though, this cocotte does come in a 7-quart size.

2. Staub Cast Iron Oval 7 Quart Cocotte

If you need a larger cocotte, particularly one for roasting, the oval 7 quart cocotte is ideal for slow cooking. Some may be concerned that on a round stove top, the pot will not heat evenly, but with proper pre-heating, cast iron conducts heat evenly across the bottom and provides excellent heat retention. It will be awkward, though, if you have other pots and pans on another nearby burner.

Where this becomes an advantage, though, is roasting in the oven. The size and shape make it great for cooking meat or vegetables. It is broad enough to cook fast and more evenly than smaller cocottes.

3. Staub Cast Iron 3.75 qt Essential French Oven

Many of the Staub Cocottes and French ovens come with a flat and spiked lid; this one is a little different. The lid of this French oven is domed, which gives a little more leeway in terms of what can be held, which is good because this pot is smaller than I would typically recommend, at just 3.75 quarts.

Just because there is a domed lid does not keep Staub from continuing the self-basting feature. This time, though, instead of spikes, there are small grooves. This helps channel the condensation into droplets before it can run down the sides of the pan.

4. Staub Cast Iron 5 QT Round Tall Cocotte

In contrast to the oval French oven, which provided more bottom space and was ideal for roasting, if you are a soup or sauce maker, the 5-quart round Tall Dutch Oven may be your perfect fit. Most cocottes are shorter by design, but having a tall one gives you the versatility of a cocotte with the advantages of a stock pot. Your food is less likely to boil over, it offers higher rims for deep-frying, and it will also save space on a stovetop.

The downside is the height can be awkward, especially when trying to use it in the oven. Additionally, it is not as good for searing or roasting, as there is less bottom space.

5. Staub Braiser with Glass Lid 3.5 Quart

This last recommendation is a little different. This is called a braiser, which is basically if a traditional pan and a French oven had a baby. It is perfect for pan searing food and then slow cooking it in liquid. As you can see, this one keeps the two handles on the side, like a Staub French oven. There is no elongated handle. This piece of cookware also features a simpler glass lid. This lid does not feature the self-braising spikes like other Staub pans, ironic given the name. However, the glass lid does allow you to see what you are cooking.

This braiser is made from enameled cast iron. It has higher walls than a typical pan but is shorter than a full French oven. This means you probably will not be making soup in this, but it is perfect for a one-pot meal. Also, the glass lid is oven-safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. While this is not the ideal pan for every person, if you are looking for a more everyday style pan, this is it.

Find the Best Staub for You

If you are still unsure which of the Staub cocotte suits you or need recommendations for other products, contact one of our Kitchen Experts here on Curated. They will be happy to provide you with free personalized advice to help you build out your kitchen.