Staub Dutch Oven Review: Is It Worth the High Price?

Staub has been making enameled cast iron Dutch ovens (also called cocottes) in their French factory since 1974.

But are they worth buying? What makes them special?

In this review, I break down the pros and cons of Staub Dutch ovens. You’ll learn about their construction, design, performance, price, and much more.

I’ll also share my test results that show how it compares to other brands like Le Creuset, Lodge, and Tramontina.

So, keep reading if you’re shopping for a Dutch oven and considering Staub.

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Use the links below to navigate the review:

• Staub Dutch Oven Review: Key Takeaways
• Video Review
• Pros of Staub Dutch Ovens
• Cons of Staub Dutch Ovens
• Bottom Line: Are Staub Dutch Ovens Worth Buying?

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Video Review

Watch me break down the pros and cons of Staub Dutch ovens in the quick video below.

Pros of Staub Dutch Ovens

There’s a lot to love about Staub Dutch ovens. The most noteworthy advantages are their superior heat and moisture retention, but there’s so much more. Let’s explore the benefits of Staub.

Heat Retention

Staub Dutch ovens, with their thick 4 mm walls and substantial weight — 12.8 pounds for a 5.5-quart, to be exact — retain heat exceptionally well.

Why is this important? When a Dutch oven retains heat efficiently, it cooks your food more evenly, particularly when searing meat or adding ingredients that might change the temperature.

How do I know Staub retains heat well? Besides cooking with it for several years, I conducted a simple controlled test.

I boiled 32 ounces of water in the Staub 5.5-quart Dutch oven. Once the water began boiling, I removed the pot from the heat and let it cool on the counter.

As it cooled, I measured the temperatures at 10- and 20-minute intervals.

After ten minutes, the water was 136.2°F.

After 20 minutes, the water was 111.3°F.

I repeated this test with Tramontina, Lodge, Le Creuset, and Great Jones Dutch ovens. Here are the results:

Dutch Oven	Water Temperature (10 minutes)	Water Temperature (20 minutes)
Staub	136.2°F	111.3°F
Tramontina	134.1°F	108.8°F
Lodge	130.8°F	105.6°F
Le Creuset	129.4°F	103.5°F
Great Jones	128.6°F	102.3°F

Based on these results, Staub Dutch ovens retain heat better than the competition, with Tramontina coming in close second and Lodge not far behind in third. Interestingly, the renowned brand Le Creuset landed in fourth place.

Self-Basting Lid

If you look closely at the inside of Staub’s lid, you’ll notice tiny bumps. These aren’t just for show. They’re designed to capture evaporating liquid and evenly redistribute it back into the pot.

But does this design really work? Or is it just a clever marketing gimmick?

I wanted answers, so I conducted another test using a Staub Dutch oven and a Le Creuset Dutch oven. Le Creuset’s lid is smooth on the bottom without any bumps.

This test aimed to see if Staub’s self-basting lid distributes moisture more evenly across the pot.

Here’s what I did:

I filled a Staub and Le Creuset Dutch oven with 32 ounces of water and brought them to a boil.

After letting them bubble away for 10 minutes to build up a good amount of steam, I quickly lifted the lids without tilting them and placed them on a paper towel on a sheet pan. I let the lids rest on the paper towels for 20 seconds.

What I found was intriguing. The paper towel under the Staub lid was dotted with water droplets, and those droplets were evenly spread out. In contrast, the paper towel under the Le Creuset lid had fewer droplets, and they weren’t as evenly distributed.

I repeated the test a second time and got similar results.

These simple tests prove that the small dimples on the Staub lid effectively redistribute moisture, ensuring your food remains juicy and doesn’t dry out.

So, does this feature translate to better-tasting food in a Staub? It depends on what you’re cooking. For dishes that are enhanced by continuous self-basting, the answer is yes.

However, for recipes like soups, chilis, or sauces, the even distribution of condensation won’t give you a significantly different outcome.

Moisture Retention

With their snug lids, Dutch ovens have a reputation for locking in moisture, ensuring that whatever you’re cooking stays juicy and tender.

But sometimes, like when reducing a sauce, you’d want some moisture to escape. If you ever find yourself in that situation with Staub, you can simply tilt the lid or remove it altogether.

When the lid’s in place, though, how effective is it at keeping that precious moisture in?

To dig into this, I conducted another test.

I poured 32 ounces of water into a Staub Dutch oven, brought it to a boil, and let it simmer for 15 minutes.

After 15 minutes, I turned the heat off and let the pot rest for an additional 30 minutes with the lid on.

When I finally lifted the lid and measured the remaining water, Staub retained almost all 32 ounces.

But how does Staub measure up to other brands? I ran the same test with Lodge, Tramontina, Le Creuset, and Great Jones. Here are the results:

Dutch Oven	Water Retained
Staub	32 ounces
Lodge	30 ounces
Tramontina	29 ounces
Le Creuset	28 ounces
Great Jones	26 ounces

Based on this test, Staub retains moisture better than the competition.

Flat Lid

One of the distinctive features of Staub Dutch ovens is their flat lid design. But beyond its sleek appearance, the flat lid serves practical purposes, too.

Since the lid isn’t sloped like most Dutch ovens, you can place ice on top without it sliding off.

The ice helps retain moisture by converting rising steam back into liquid.

Here’s how it works.

When the hot steam from inside the pot makes contact with the cooled surface of the lid, it quickly condenses back into liquid, dripping back into your dish. This technique ensures an even more moist environment for your cooking.

Another handy use for the flat lid? Resting a spoon, spatula, or tongs without the fear of it sliding off.

Oven-Safe Lid Knobs

If you’ve ever hesitated before placing your Dutch oven in the oven, worried about whether the lid’s knob can withstand the heat, Staub has you covered.

Their Dutch ovens come with lid knobs constructed from steel, coated in nickel or brass. These knobs can comfortably endure temperatures up to 500°F.

Customizable Lid Knobs

Another feature that sets Staub apart is their option for customizable lid knobs.

If the standard knobs doesn’t speak to your style, Staub allows you to swap it out for something more unique. They offer knobs shaped like a cow, rooster, fish, or pig.

If you plan to use multiple Dutch ovens simultaneously, these distinct knobs can be a clever way to quickly identify what each pot contains.

So, you’re not just adding a personal touch but also making your cooking process smoother.

Interior Finish

Staub Dutch ovens come with a matte black finish inside. One immediate benefit of this dark hue is its resilience against visible stains.

Unlike lighter finishes, this matte black interior doesn’t show discoloration or scratches as easily. So, your Staub Dutch oven will look newer for longer.

Durability

Staub Dutch ovens have thick cast iron construction, making them inherently durable. But that’s not unique since almost all Dutch ovens are made of cast iron.

Staub stands out because its walls are thicker than most. I used a digital micrometer to measure the top portion of Staub’s walls, which are 4.2 mm thick.

For comparison, Le Creuset Dutch ovens are 3.6 mm thick. That additional thickness in Staub ovens gives you both heft and added durability.

While enamel can chip if you’re too rough, the thick cast iron beneath ensures your oven won’t crack or warp.

Less Expensive Than Le Creuset

Staub is an excellent option if you’re in the market for a premium Dutch oven but also looking for value.

Don’t get me wrong, Staub is not cheap. In fact, it’s one of the more expensive Dutch oven brands.

But most people considering Staub are also considering Le Creuset. And between the two, Staub is the better value. Depending on the size and color you choose, you could be saving anywhere from $20 to $50.

Check the current prices on Zwilling.com (Zwilling owns Staub) and Amazon.

Cons of Staub Dutch Ovens

While Staub Dutch ovens have some impressive pros, they also have drawbacks. Let’s delve into some of the areas where Staub falls short.

Small Handles

Staub Dutch oven handles are small. The opening between the handle and the pot is less than an inch.

While this may seem like a minute detail, it can make quite the difference when trying to get a good grip on a hot and heavy pot, especially with oven mitts on.

For comparison, Le Creuset Dutch oven handles have a generous 1.25-inch opening. That extra space can significantly improve the comfort and stability of your grip.

Rough Handles

Another aspect to consider with Staub Dutch ovens is the texture of their pot handles. The interior side of these handles exposes the bare cast iron, which might feel coarse to the touch.

People in forums claim the rough texture inside Staub Dutch oven’s handles is an intentional design choice to prevent slippage.

But in reality, it’s just a limitation in their manufacturing process. As you can see in this video, machines spray paint onto the spinning Dutch oven. Due to the handle’s shape and the positioning of the spray, the paint doesn’t fully coat its inner portion.

This doesn’t impact the performance or function, but it looks unfinished.

Small Lid Knobs

At just 1.25 inches in diameter, Staub’s knobs are smaller than competitors like Le Creuset and Made In. Those two brands’ knobs are 2.25 inches wide.

Staub’s petite knobs can be hard to grasp firmly, particularly when wearing bulky oven mitts. The thin stem attaching the knob to the lid exacerbates this issue. Your fingers have minimal clearance to get underneath the knob.

Larger, wider knobs like Made In and Le Creuset provide more leverage and control when lifting and tilting the lid.

Dark Interior

Earlier in this review, I mentioned Staub’s dark interior as a pro since it hides stains and scratches, but it’s also a con.

Compared to lighter interiors like Le Creuset’s sand-colored one, the darker hue makes it trickier to spot fond development or ensure that your food isn’t sticking or burning.

Weight

With thick 4 mm walls, the Staub 5.5-quart Dutch oven tips the scales at a substantial 12.8 pounds empty.

That’s noticeably heavier than many competing Dutch ovens. For example, the Le Creuset 5.5-quart Dutch oven weighs 11.5 pounds.

When you fill the pot with food and liquid, maneuvering it takes serious arm strength. If you lack grip strength or have wrist issues, this heavy pot may be difficult to handle safely.

Limited Color Options

Staub’s Dutch ovens are available in around a dozen color options.

While this might seem like a lot of choices, it pales in comparison to brands like Le Creuset, which boasts around 20 shades and is known for regularly introducing new hues.

If you’re looking for a specific color to match your kitchen decor or personal style, Staub’s selection is a bit restrictive.

Bottom Line: Are Staub Dutch Ovens Worth Buying?

So, should you buy a Staub Dutch oven? Is it worth the investment?

 In my opinion, yes.

As my testing proved, the thick walls and tight-fitting lid retain heat better than the competition, and the self-basting lid distributes moisture back over the pot much more evenly than a domed lid with no bumps.

One of my favorite features of Staub Dutch ovens is their flat lids that allow you to rest a spoon or place ice to retain even more moisture.

Although they’re heavy and the lid knobs and side handles are smaller than other brands, you can still get a secure grip. Plus, Dutch ovens are primarily used for slow cooking — it’s not the type of pot you need to move frequently.

Bottom line — Staub is one of the world’s best enameled cast iron cookware brands. And, based on my testing, their French-made Dutch ovens perform as well or better than other well-established (and more expensive) brands like Le Creuset. If you’re looking for an elegantly designed, high-performing Dutch oven for soups, stews, braises, and other slow-cooked meals, Staub is one of the best options.

Check the current prices and read more reviews on Zwilling.com (Zwilling owns Staub) or Amazon.