Gear guide
Best Staub cocottes and Dutch ovens by shape and size
Picked from Amazon listings, not hands-on tests. How we pick
Top picks at a glance
Compare all picks
Closest match for the job
Staub 7 qt Round: serves up to 7-8
Serves up to 7 to 8 people according to the listing.
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Most for the money on paper
Staub 5 qt Tall Cocotte: slim profile for frying and soups
Tall profile limits splatter during deep frying, according to the listing.
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Most complete listing
Staub 5.5 qt Round: the everyday family size
Listing states the pot is oven safe to 900°F without the lid and the lid to 500°F.
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Staub cocottes share the same core design: enameled cast iron, a heavy lid with spikes underneath that drip condensation back onto the food, and a textured black matte enamel interior meant for browning. What changes from model to model is the shape and the size, and that decides what the pot cooks well. A round 5.5 quart handles most braises for a family, a tall 5 quart saves burner space and suits deep frying, and an oval 7 or 8.5 quart fits a whole chicken or a long roast. This guide sorts seven Staub listings by shape and capacity and compares the oven limits each listing states, since some give 900°F for the pot without its lid and others give a single 500°F figure. Weight is not stated on these listings, so it is left out of the table.
Compare the picks
- Staub 7 qt Round: serves up to 7-8
- Shape
- Round
- Capacity
- 7 qt (serves 7-8)
- Oven-safe to
- 900°F without lid, lid to 500°F
- Induction
- Yes
- Staub 5.5 qt Round: the everyday family size
- Shape
- Round
- Capacity
- 5.5 qt (serves 5-6)
- Oven-safe to
- 900°F without lid, lid to 500°F
- Induction
- Yes
- Staub 5 qt Tall Cocotte: slim profile for frying and soups
- Shape
- Tall round
- Capacity
- 5 qt (serves 5-6)
- Oven-safe to
- 500°F
- Induction
- Yes
Staub 8.5 qt Oval: big roasts at a lower price- Shape
- Oval
- Capacity
- 8.5 qt
- Oven-safe to
- 500°F
- Induction
- Yes
Staub 7 qt Oval: fits a whole chicken or roast- Shape
- Oval
- Capacity
- 7 qt
- Oven-safe to
- Knobs rated to 500°F
- Induction
- Yes
Staub 4 qt Round: compact pot for two to four- Shape
- Round
- Capacity
- 4 qt
- Oven-safe to
- 900°F without lid, lid to 500°F
- Induction
- Yes
Staub 3.5 qt Pumpkin Cocotte: serving pot for the table- Shape
- Pumpkin
- Capacity
- 3.5 qt
- Oven-safe to
- 900°F without lid, lid to 500°F
- Induction
- Yes
| Pick | Shape | Capacity | Oven-safe to | Induction | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Staub 7 qt Round: serves up to 7-8 | Round | 7 qt (serves 7-8) | 900°F without lid, lid to 500°F | Yes | - | Amazon |
| Staub 5.5 qt Round: the everyday family size | Round | 5.5 qt (serves 5-6) | 900°F without lid, lid to 500°F | Yes | - | Amazon |
| Staub 5 qt Tall Cocotte: slim profile for frying and soups | Tall round | 5 qt (serves 5-6) | 500°F | Yes | - | Amazon |
| Staub 8.5 qt Oval: big roasts at a lower price | Oval | 8.5 qt | 500°F | Yes | - | Amazon |
| Staub 7 qt Oval: fits a whole chicken or roast | Oval | 7 qt | Knobs rated to 500°F | Yes | - | Amazon |
| Staub 4 qt Round: compact pot for two to four | Round | 4 qt | 900°F without lid, lid to 500°F | Yes | - | Amazon |
| Staub 3.5 qt Pumpkin Cocotte: serving pot for the table | Pumpkin | 3.5 qt | 900°F without lid, lid to 500°F | Yes | - | Amazon |
Facts are taken from each Amazon listing. Prices are checked daily and shown with their date.
The picks in detail
Pick 1 · STAUB
Staub 7 qt Round: serves up to 7-8
See price on AmazonStaub's 7 quart round, made in France, with a self-basting spiked lid and matte black interior for browning. The listing says it serves up to seven to eight people.
What the listing offers
- Serves up to 7 to 8 people according to the listing.
- Pot is rated to 900°F without the lid, the highest figure in this group.
- Matte interior texture is described as giving exceptional browning before a braise.
Limits to know
- Black interior makes it harder to judge fond color than light enamel.
- Weight is not stated in the listing for this 7 quart pot.
Pick 2 · STAUB
Staub 5.5 qt Round: the everyday family size
See price on AmazonA classic round Dutch oven that doubles as a bread pot. Its stated oven limits are the clearest in this guide, which helps with hot preheats.
What the listing offers
- Listing states the pot is oven safe to 900°F without the lid and the lid to 500°F.
- Black matte enamel interior is described as more resistant to scratches and chips.
- Works for soups and braises too, so it earns its space beyond bread days.
Limits to know
- Deep sides make lowering dough in harder than with a low-base bread oven.
- Weight is not stated; preheated cast iron is heavy and hot to handle.
Pick 3 · STAUB
Staub 5 qt Tall Cocotte: slim profile for frying and soups
See price on AmazonA tall, slim cocotte that the listing pitches for soups, deep frying without splatter and tall bone-in cuts. It takes less burner space than a wide pot and stores easily.
What the listing offers
- Tall profile limits splatter during deep frying, according to the listing.
- Slim footprint saves stovetop space and stores efficiently.
- Lowest price among the Staub 5 quart class pots here.
Limits to know
- Narrow floor means fewer pieces fit for searing in one batch.
- Oven limit is listed as 500°F, with no separate figure for the pot alone.
Pick 4 · STAUB
Staub 8.5 qt Oval: big roasts at a lower price
See price on AmazonThe largest pick in this guide and one of the lower priced. The listing pitches it for searing and slow cooking roasts and whole chickens, with a nickel knob and dishwasher safe enamel.
What the listing offers
- 8.5 quart oval holds large roasts and whole chickens, per the listing.
- Listed below the 7 quart oval in price despite the larger size.
- Induction compatible and dishwasher safe according to the listing.
Limits to know
- Country of manufacture is not stated in this listing, unlike most Staub picks here.
- A pot this size will be heavy, and the listing gives no weight.
Pick 5 · STAUB
Staub 7 qt Oval: fits a whole chicken or roast
See price on AmazonAn oval cocotte for long cuts: pork loin, a whole chicken, a leg of lamb. The listing says it was developed with chef Paul Bocuse and that the matte interior will not discolor or rust.
What the listing offers
- Oval shape suits roasts and whole birds better than a round pot of similar volume.
- Listing states the interior never needs seasoning and will not discolor or rust.
- Smooth bottom works on any cooking surface, including induction.
Limits to know
- An oval base heats unevenly on a round burner, so searing may need turning.
- The listing gives only a knob heat limit of 500°F, not a figure for the pot.
Pick 6 · STAUB
Staub 4 qt Round: compact pot for two to four
See price on AmazonA smaller round cocotte for couples, side dishes and small braises. The listing notes brass or nickel-plated knobs rated to 464°F, so check which knob you get before high heat baking.
What the listing offers
- Smaller size suits two to four people and fits easily in the oven.
- Self-basting spikes on the lid return juices to the food, per the listing.
- Works on all cooktops including induction and halogen.
Limits to know
- Listing states the knobs resist heat to 464°F, lower than the 500°F lid figure on other Staub listings.
- Country of manufacture is not stated in this listing.
Pick 7 · STAUB
Staub 3.5 qt Pumpkin Cocotte: serving pot for the table
See price on AmazonA pumpkin shaped cocotte the listing describes as made for collectors and for bringing some whimsy to the table. It cooks like any small Staub but earns its place as a serving piece.
What the listing offers
- Same spiked lid and black matte interior as the standard round cocottes.
- Works on all cooktops and the pot is rated to 900°F without its lid.
- Doubles as a serving vessel for soups and sides at the table.
Limits to know
- At 3.5 quarts it is too small to be a main family pot.
- Price per quart is high compared with the plain round 4 quart.
Read before you buy
- Why is Le Creuset so expensive, and is it worth itWhat you pay for in a Le Creuset Dutch oven: sand casting, enamel coats, French production and warranty, and when a cheaper enameled pot is enough.
- When does Le Creuset go on saleWhen Le Creuset tends to go on sale, how outlet stores and factory seconds work, and how to judge a discount on a Dutch oven before you buy.
- What size Dutch oven should you buyWhat size Dutch oven to buy for 1, 2, 4 or 6 people, plus sizes for bread, whole chickens and batch cooking, and how size numbers map to quarts.
- What is a Dutch oven and what is it forWhat a Dutch oven is, why it is called that, how it differs from a French oven or cocotte, and the dishes it cooks better than any other pot.
- Staub vs Le Creuset: which Dutch oven should you buyStaub vs Le Creuset compared: interior enamel, lid design, knob oven limits, sizes and price for the 5.5 qt Dutch oven and the 3.5 qt braiser.
More gear: Dutch ovens and braisers
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