topic Staub or LeCreuset in Kitchen

Staub or LeCreuset

KatieB — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 21:43:40 GMT

Is Staub cookware as good as LeCreuset? Your opinions would be helpful...

Thanks, KatieB

Re: Staub or LeCreuset

jaxs mom — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 21:46:15 GMT

Yes, it's as good. They are both great products.

Re: Staub or LeCreuset

RedHeadedWench — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 21:50:03 GMT

I have both, and they are both nice.

Re: Staub or LeCreuset

chickenbutt — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 22:14:08 GMT

They're both good, but I prefer the LC. It seemed to be finished more nicely. I had one Staub and I sold it to somebody who was happy to have it for a discounted price, since she couldn't afford to pay retail. All of mine are LC now.

Just stay away from Chinese-made enameled cast iron as there are a lot of problems with those. I think we've probably all seen the numerous recalls over recent years involving the enamel coating cracking off, chipping more easily and, in some cases, even releasing itself explosively from the cast iron.

Re: Staub or LeCreuset

Blondelle — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 22:42:11 GMT

There are endless debates on this subject. If you want to read one go to http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/692852. There are many other debates on this there.

the LC:

1) lighter interior makes it easier to monitor browning of food

2) lighter weight

3) brighter, more cheerful colors

4) better warranty and customer service

5) straigher sides with less slope

the Staub:

1) darker interior shows less staining but still stains

2) cover has basting nubs

3) might sear better because of the dark interior

They are both wonderful cookware. Just depends on which features you like best!

Re: Staub or LeCreuset

NoelSeven — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 22:42:25 GMT

I have both and I think they're both good.

Re: Staub or LeCreuset

Sooner — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 23:16:01 GMT

They are both great! I have more LC, but the Staub is just as good. I just bought the "perfect" pan/wok that is on for $149 now and I really like it! It has a glass lid.

Re: Staub or LeCreuset

HonnyBrown — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 23:25:09 GMT

I'm biased toward Le Creuset.

Re: Staub or LeCreuset

2zbeach — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 18:32:31 GMT

Love my LC. Easy to clean,cooks well.

Re: Staub or LeCreuset

Sooner — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 18:49:00 GMT

None of my Staub looks cheap to me. It is nicely made and finished. I think their transparent, rich colors are actually prettier than the crayon-box LC ones. But then I love them too. . . But Staub is more sophisticated looking I think.

Re: Staub or LeCreuset

KatieB — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 18:57:15 GMT

Thanks for all of your replies. Now I see that Lodge makes an enameled cast iron dutch oven, which sounds good too and is priced much less than LC or Staub... I'm thinking about the Lodge... Have any of you used the Lodge brand of enameled cast iron pieces.

KatieB

Re: Staub or LeCreuset

HonnyBrown — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 19:17:44 GMT

On 9/18/2014 Sooner said:
None of my Staub looks cheap to me. It is nicely made and finished. I think their transparent, rich colors are actually prettier than the crayon-box LC ones. But then I love them too. . . But Staub is more sophisticated looking I think.

I'm glad you like them both!

I love the way Le Creuset looks, the way they function, the variety and how easy it is to clean the pieces.

Lodge has very good cast iron, though I haven't tried their enameled sets.

Re: Staub or LeCreuset

jaxs mom — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 19:38:05 GMT

Staub and LC both function and clean exactly the same. They are both French made enameled cast iron. Staub has some very stylish colors like their basil green, dark blue and graphite colors. They also have very stylish metal knobs on their lids that are also functional and don't have temperature limits like the LC phenolic knobs do. I have both and I personally think that Staub has a more sophisticated design and color choices than LC. Although I have a lot more LC than Staub in my collection. I really don't like the rotund new design changes that LC made in the last couple years. All my stuff is from the older line.

The Lodge enameled cast iron line is made in China as are the celebrity endorsed ECI lines like Emeril's and Martha Stewart. They don't have the proven track record of quality and longevity as the French made products. I've read quite a few reviews from people who have issues with the China made enamel wearing off and being easily scratched and we just had a thread on the issue of the Martha Stewart ECI chipping and flying off while being cooked in.

Re: Staub or LeCreuset

HonnyBrown — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 19:55:34 GMT

jaxs, Le Creuset claims they have temperature limits for their knobs, but I don't think that's the case.

I have had the lids in the oven for high temperature cooking so many times! Nothing has happened to the knobs other than the screws underneath coming loose.

I'm going to edit my previous statement. It wasn't Staub that was the cheap knock off! OOOPPS!

Re: Staub or LeCreuset

CalminHeart — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 20:11:28 GMT

My BIL works at Williams Sonoma and sells both Le Creuset and Staub. Both are very high quality products....equal quality, functionality, and durability. I'd be happy with either.

Re: Staub or LeCreuset

Pickwickpapers — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 20:38:01 GMT

Both are great and Lodge is also good........I have a Le Creuset covered casserole in the red that I received many years ago. It was great for roasts, beef stews, spaghetti gravy and so many things........unfortunately, I had to give it to my DS a few years ago after hurting my shoulder. The weight along with the food inside was just too heavy for me to handle. I miss the way cast iron cooks.

Re: Staub or LeCreuset

DoxieMomma — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 20:52:42 GMT

I have pieces from both lines and will purchase from both, in the future. Like others have mentioned, Le Creuset's colors tend to be a bit brighter, while Staub's are a deeper. For me, performance is the same, so it comes down to which colors are available in the size that I "need" at that time.

I have more Le Creuset, but primarily because my man hasn't quite grasped the whole "no metal utensils" concept. If the pots are brightly colored and "pretty", he has a tendency to leave them alone :-)

Re: Staub or LeCreuset

jaxs mom — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 21:04:37 GMT

The one benefit of Staub is that the dark interior enamel color doesn't show stains like the cream color LC interior. I have a couple stained LC pieces due to my husband using them. Even using the LC cleaner and bar keepers friend I can't get the stains out. Oh well.

Re: Staub or LeCreuset

AlexisRose — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 21:14:52 GMT

Don't have LC, but love my Staub! I bought it here at the Q quite a few years ago when they carried that line. It was offered at an unbelievably low price. Wish I had gotten more.

Re: Staub or LeCreuset

chickenbutt — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 22:03:56 GMT

I've never had any of my LC stain. I wonder if the LC people have any ideas to help you get it out of there. I have pots I've used extensively, on top of the stove and in the oven. They all look just like brand new.