Staub size chart: cocotte sizes in quarts

Staub round cocotte size chart

The table below lists Staub round cocottes by the number on the base, the capacity in quarts and a rough serving guide. The serving guide uses a simple rule: about 1 quart per person for stews and braises, with 2 quarts as the practical minimum for one or two people. Bigger appetites, bone-in cuts and leftovers push you up a size.

Capacity is measured to the brim. In real cooking you fill a Dutch oven to about two thirds, so a 5.5 qt pot holds roughly 3.5 to 4 quarts of finished stew with room to stir and simmer without boiling over.

Find your size with the Dutch oven size picker →

How to read the number on a Staub cocotte

Turn a Staub cocotte over and you will usually see the size number cast or printed on the base. That number is the outside diameter class in centimeters, which is the European way of naming pots. It does not tell you the volume directly, and it does not tell you the shape. A 28 round and a 29 oval, for example, are very different pots.

Staub also sells tall cocottes, shallow braisers and specialty shapes that share some of the same diameter numbers. A tall cocotte with the same diameter holds more because the walls are higher, and a braiser holds less because it is shallow. If you are buying a specific model, read the capacity on the listing rather than assuming it matches the standard round size in the table above.

If you own an older Staub and cannot find a matching listing, the simplest check is to fill it with water from a measuring cup. Count the cups to the brim and divide by four to get quarts.

Staub vs Le Creuset sizes at the same number

Both brands name round Dutch ovens by diameter in centimeters, but the same number does not always hold the same volume. Wall shape, wall thickness and height differ between the two. At 26 cm both hold 5.5 qt, which is why the 26 is the easy family size to compare. At 24 cm, Le Creuset lists 4.5 qt while Staub lists 4 qt. At 28 cm, Le Creuset lists 7.25 qt and Staub lists 7 qt. At 30 cm both list 9 qt.

For the smaller Le Creuset sizes, the capacity varies between listings, so check the product page. For the full Le Creuset table, see our Le Creuset size chart. If you are still deciding between the brands, our Staub vs Le Creuset comparison covers the lid, interior enamel and knob differences.

Oval Staub cocottes

Oval cocottes are longer than they are wide, which suits a whole chicken, a pork shoulder or a long bread loaf. Staub numbers its ovals by length in centimeters, and the capacity of each oval depends on the model. Because oval capacities are not consistent across listings, we do not print them here. Check the capacity on the specific product page or the maker's site before you buy.

As a rule of thumb, a whole chicken of 4 to 5 lb needs at least a 5.5 qt round, and an oval in the 6.75 qt range fits it more comfortably because the bird lies flat with room around it. One practical point: an oval sits awkwardly on a round burner. On gas or a small induction zone, the ends heat more slowly than the middle, so searing in an oval takes more patience.

Which Staub size to buy

If you only own one Dutch oven, the 26 cm, 5.5 qt round is the safe choice for most households of three or four. It handles a standard stew recipe, a 3 lb chuck roast, and most no-knead bread recipes made with about 500 g of flour. It also fits in a standard home oven with room for the lid.

Couples who cook small batches often prefer the 24 cm, 4 qt round, which is lighter to lift and quicker to heat. Families of five or more, or anyone who cooks once and eats twice, should look at the 28 cm, 7 qt round. The 30 cm, 9 qt size is a batch cooking pot, and it is heavy when full, so think about whether you can lift it out of the oven safely.

For a broader look at how capacity maps to meals, see what size Dutch oven you need. For model picks in each size, see our best Staub Dutch oven guide, and if bread is the main job, the best Dutch oven for bread guide covers shapes that make loading dough easier.

• 1 to 2 people: 20 cm (2.25 qt) or 22 cm (2.75 qt)
• 2 to 4 people: 24 cm (4 qt)
• 3 to 4 people and bread: 26 cm (5.5 qt)
• 5 to 6 people: 28 cm (7 qt)
• 7 or more people or batch cooking: 30 cm (9 qt)

Weight, burners and oven fit

Staub cocottes are heavy enameled cast iron with a heavy lid, and the weight climbs quickly as the size goes up. A full 7 or 9 qt pot is a two-handed lift. If wrist strength or a high oven is a concern, size down and cook in two batches rather than struggle with a pot that is hard to control.

Match the base to your burner. A pot much wider than the burner heats unevenly at the edges, which matters when you are browning meat. Staub cocottes with a metal knob are rated oven safe up to 500°F by the maker, which covers most bread recipes and braises. For other pots and lids, use the oven temperature limit checker or check the maker's care page.

Note.Use thick, dry oven mitts. Cast iron holds heat for a long time, and the loop handles and knob get as hot as the pot.

Frequently asked questions

How many quarts is a Staub 24? A round Staub 24 cm cocotte holds 4 qt. It suits two to four people for stews and braises.

How many quarts is a Staub 26? A round Staub 26 cm cocotte holds 5.5 qt. It is the most common family size and works for most bread recipes.

Is a Staub 28 the same as a Le Creuset 28? Close but not identical. Staub lists its 28 cm round at 7 qt and Le Creuset lists its 28 cm round at 7.25 qt.

What size Staub is best for sourdough? Most home loaves made with about 500 g of flour fit a 26 cm, 5.5 qt round. See our guide to Dutch ovens for sourdough for shape tips.