TL;DR: Staub is a French cast iron cookware manufacturer that makes high-quality cast iron cookware ranging from Dutch ovens to cast iron skillets to braisers.

For those looking for high-quality cookware, Staub is an excellent choice. While their products are expensive, they’re well-made, manufactured in France, and can last for decades. If you’re looking for high-end cookware to improve your kitchen equipment, then this is an excellent brand to consider. They make a variety of cookware to suit your cooking needs and offer a lifetime warranty.

Who Is Staub?

Staub is a high-end cast cookware brand that specializes in enameled cast iron. While they’re not as well-known as Le Creuset, their cookware rivals the other company in terms of quality and presentation. They were founded in 1974 by Francis Staub in Alsace, France. The company has since expanded its product lines from cocottes to other types of cookware.

In 2008, the company was acquired by Zwilling Henckels, though it still operates independently. Staub’s website is a part of Zwilling’s, but all of their products are listed separately.

Why Buy Staub Cookware?

Staub is one of the few manufacturers that has the distinction of being regularly compared to Le Creuset. It’s a reasonable comparison to make, as both are French-enameled cast iron cookware manufacturers. The best Dutch ovens have long been considered Le Creuset’s, but Staub is a strong competitor.

Staub has a few features that other Dutch oven makers don’t.

• Black interior: Unlike most Dutch ovens that have a light enamel interior, Staub’s cocottes have a black matte enamel coating on the inside. This is advantageous when searing or roasting, as the dark interior has superior heat retention. It also prevents visible staining. However, some reviewers did complain that leftover food bits can disappear on the dark background, making it harder to clean.
• Flat Lid: Staub’s main line of cocottes all have flat lids. Most Dutch ovens have rounded lids to assist in basting, but Staub solves this by including bumps on the lid to help in moisture retention. While the lid may not have obvious advantages, it is eye-catching and makes it stand out from most competitors’ designs.
• Price: Staub isn’t cheap, but their cocottes do come in under Le Creuset’s. Their main 5.5-quart round cocotte costs $379, while Le Creuste’s round Dutch oven is $420. And since they compete with le Creuset in most tests, it can be considered better value for your money.

Caring for Staub Cast Iron Cookware

Cast iron has exceptional heat-retaining qualities, which is why it’s considered the best material for Dutch ovens. However, despite its durability, cast iron requires special care to ensure its longevity. Staub’s cookware is all coated in enamel, which prevents the cast iron from rusting, but that requires its own care and attention.

To ensure the best results and longevity from your Staub cast iron cookware, here are some tips to care for it.

• Avoid the dishwasher: While most manufacturers say that their Dutch ovens are dishwasher-safe, it’s a good idea to hand wash them instead. Dishwasher detergent is hard on the enamel, and if any cast iron is exposed (it usually is around the rim to prevent chipping), it can rust.
• No broiler: Enamel is only safe up to 500 degrees, so it isn’t broiler-safe. Exposing it to higher temperatures can damage or crack it.
• Don’t put a hot pot in cold water: This is a bad idea no matter what your pot is made out of, as it can cause warping and ruin the cooking surface. With enameled cast iron, it can also crack the enamel, ruining the coating.
• Don’t use abrasive cleaners: Enamel is a bit delicate. It protects the cast iron and makes it easier to clean, but it can be scoured off if you use steel wool or anything too abrasive to clean it. It’s better to soak your Dutch oven to get stubborn food bits off.

My 7 Top Recommended Staub Cast Iron Cookware:

Staub makes a number of high-quality cookware, meaning that it’s difficult to go wrong with the brand. That being said, there are certain pieces that stand out from the others. Here are my top picks for Staub's cast iron cookware:

1. Staub Cast Iron Round Cocotte

Staub calls all of their Dutch ovens cocottes. Different people say cocotte means different things, but Staub seems to be using it as a synonym for Dutch oven – as it is the French word for it. This pot is made in France from enameled cast iron and has bumps on the lid to create a self-basting effect and keep moisture in the food when braising. The dark interior helps with searing and braising, but can make it harder to tell when the cocotte is clean. It’s also heavier than its Le Creuset counterpart.

2. Staub Cast Iron 12-Inch Square Grill Pan

This enameled grill pan is induction-safe, oven-safe, and handsome. Grill pans are perfect for when you want to get grill lines on what you’re cooking – like sausage or chicken breasts – but you don’t want to use the grill (or don’t have space for one). That being said, as with all cast iron, the pan is heavy, and enamel doesn’t do as well as cast iron at high temperatures, so it’s best to avoid the broiler.

3. Staub 10-inch Fry Pan

This frying pan is made entirely of cast iron and is enameled. Enameled frying pans are easier to keep clean as the enamel adds non-stick properties, and they can come in a variety of pretty colors. This pan has excellent heat distribution, is oven-safe, and is attractive enough to use as a serving dish. However, it isn’t broiler-safe, and the helper handle is more of a helper tab.

4. Staub Cast Iron 7-Quart Oval Cocotte

Staub’s cocottes are what it’s mainly known for – which are really just Dutch ovens. It’s made of smooth cast iron with a layered enamel coating to ensure that it’ll be long-lasting. Thick cast iron is excellent for holding heat when baking in the oven, and the dark interior helps with browning and basting. However, the oval shape means it isn’t good for the stove, and these are heavier than other similar Dutch ovens.

5. Staub Cast Iron 3.5-Quart Pumpkin Cocotte With Stainless Steel Knob

If you’re looking for something to add a bit of spark to your cookware collection, this decorative cocotte is a great choice. It’s made entirely of enameled cast iron, making it stove and oven-safe. It’s even induction-compatible, as cast iron is ferromagnetic. If the orange is too much for you, it also comes in white. However, due to the pretty design, it’s expensive, and it only comes in a 3.5-quart size.

6. Staub Cast Iron 3.5-Quart Braiser With Glass Lid

A braiser is the ultimate tool for slow-cooking meats. It’s primarily used for tougher cuts of meat, as you can sear the meat on the stove, and then cook it in liquid in the oven for a long period. With this braiser being made of cast iron, it can perform both tasks admirably. The lid seals in moisture while letting you get a look at what you’re cooking without removing it. However, the fact that the lid is made of glass means it can shatter, and you need to be extra careful about making sure the oven is fully preheated.

7. Staub Cast Iron 3.75-Quart Essential French Oven

If you’re looking for a smaller Dutch oven with an attractive design, then this French oven deserves a look. A French oven is really just another name for a Dutch oven, though it’s usually used for smaller, enameled ones. This one is made entirely of cast iron with an enamel coating and has a stainless steel knob on the lid to make it easy to lift. Its rounded shape is attractive and more in keeping with standard Dutch oven design. That being said, it only comes in a smaller size, and it has a limited color selection.

Let Us Help You Find the Right Staub Cast Iron Cookware for You

It can be overwhelming to try to find the right choice for your needs, particularly with the variety of cast iron cookware on the market. Even when you’ve decided to look at a particular brand, it can be hard to know which is the best one to choose. As cookware is something that you’ll use frequently over its lifetime, don’t be afraid to take your time. If you feel you need more information or advice, reach out to one of our Curated Kitchen Experts! Any of our Kitchen Experts would be more than happy to help you find the Staub cast iron cookware set that’s just right for you!