Staub vs Le Creuset: Which Cookware is Best?

26/09/2024

If you're looking to invest in some serious cookware, you can't go far wrong with Staub or Le Creuset. These two brands are synonymous with creating high-quality cooking utensils, like frying pans and casserole dishes (Dutch ovens).

But which brand is best, and which deserves your hard-earned money? In this piece from the Slingo Lifestyle Blog, we're putting Le Creuset and Staub head-to-head to see just that.

So, whether you're a kitchen wizard looking to enhance your cooking arsenal with new pots and pans or working on your culinary skills, you'll want to read this guide.

To find an answer, we compared both brands in four key categories. And, because it's the product Staub and Le Creuset are most famous for, we've also included an extra section that looks at the Staub cocotte and the Le Creuset Dutch oven.

Before we compare these two iconic cookware brands, let's take a closer look at their histories.

Staub Cookware: A Brief History

Although Francis Staub founded the brand in the Alsace region of France in 1974, Staub's roots date all the way back to 1450.

In the last 50 years, the brand has become hugely popular thanks to its enamelled cast iron cookware, which blends traditional production processes with modern innovation.

Famous for its signature matte black interior, Staub cookware is designed to enhance the flavours and textures of your favourite dishes, from hearty stews to perfectly seared meats.

Staub pots and pans are famous for their durability and exceptional heat retention, making them a must-have for anyone who values precision in the kitchen.

Le Creuset Cookware: A Brief History

Established in 1925, Le Creuset has long been the gold standard of enamelled cast iron cookware. Also French-made, Le Creuset is beloved for its colourful designs, smooth enamel interior, and versatility.

Whether you're slow-cooking a roast or baking bread, Le Creuset cookware offers superior heat distribution and retention, ensuring even cooking and delicious results every time.

With nearly 100 years of history, Le Creuset cookware remains a favourite for its elegant aesthetics and dependable performance in home and professional kitchens.

Staub vs Le Creuset: Which Brand is Best?

Now, let's get into the details. Which brand will reign supreme in your kitchen? In this section, we look at the performance, price, product range, and features that distinguish Staub and Le Creuset cookware, helping you decide which investment is worth making for your culinary journey.

Performance

Staub

Staub cookware is celebrated for its excellent heat retention and even cooking performance. The cast iron used in Staub products is heavier and thicker than many competitors, making it ideal for slow-cooking dishes that require steady, controlled heat. The black matte enamel interior promotes superior browning and searing, allowing natural juices to intensify the flavour of your food.

Another key feature is Staub's signature self-basting lid, featuring tiny spikes. This design allows moisture to drip evenly back onto the food, keeping it moist and flavorful throughout the cooking process.

Le Creuset

Le Creuset cookware, known for its vibrant exterior colours, also excels in cooking performance. The lighter enamel coating on the inside makes it easier to monitor the browning of your food. Le Creuset's heat distribution is unmatched, and its pots and pans are designed to maintain even cooking temperatures, preventing hot spots.

Le Creuset's cookware is slightly lighter than Staub's, making it easier to move without compromising on performance. Whether you're simmering a sauce or roasting a chicken, Le Creuset delivers consistent, professional-level results.

Staub: 9.5/10

Le Creuset: 9.5/10

Prices

Staub

Staub cookware is typically priced on the higher end, but its durability and performance make it a worthwhile investment for serious cooks. While Staub pieces can often be found at a lower price than Le Creuset, they remain a premium product. Staub's prices vary depending on the size and type of cookware, generally ranging from £100 to £300.

Le Creuset

Le Creuset cookware is also premium-priced, and its reputation for luxury is well-earned. Known for its broad range of colours and styles, Le Creuset pieces often have a slightly higher price tag than Staub. However, the brand's lifetime warranty and trusted performance make it an attractive option for those who prioritise style and functionality in the kitchen. Prices range from £150 to £400.

Staub: 8.5/10

Le Creuset: 8/10

Product Range

Staub

Staub offers a more specialised product range, focusing on cast iron cookware, particularly cocottes (casserole dishes). Staub also produces a variety of skillets, grill pans, and speciality pieces like tagines and mussel pots. Each product is meticulously crafted with the same attention to detail, and the signature matte black enamel interior is designed to enhance the cooking process for various dishes.

Staub's collection is slightly more limited in terms of colour options compared to Le Creuset, but their deep, earthy tones provide a timeless and sophisticated look.

Le Creuset

Le Creuset's product range is extensive, including cast iron cookware, stainless steel, non-stick, and stoneware collections. The brand is famous for its iconic Dutch ovens, but its range also includes bakeware, kettles, and even kitchen utensils. With a vast selection of colours, there's a Le Creuset product to match every kitchen's style.

Le Creuset's broad product range gives cooks more flexibility in their choices, making it easier to find the right tools for any culinary task.

Staub: 8.5/10

Le Creuset: 9/10

Prefer a pizza? Get a slice of the action in our ‘Gozney vs Ooni: Which Pizza Oven Brand is Best?’ guide.

Features

Staub

Staub cookware is packed with innovative features. Its self-basting lid system ensures that food stays moist, while the matte black enamel interior excels in heat retention and caramelisation. Staub cookware also comes with brass or nickel knobs, which are heat resistant up to 250°C, allowing for safe, high-temperature cooking.

Each piece of Staub cookware is built for durability and is designed to last a lifetime, making it a solid investment for any kitchen.

Le Creuset

One standout feature of Le Creuset's products is the enamel coating on the inside and outside of its cast iron casserole dishes. The smooth interior finish prevents food from sticking, and the variety of vibrant exterior colours allows for personal expression in the kitchen.

Le Creuset products are oven-safe up to 260°C, and their ergonomic handles make them easy to lift, even when full.

The lighter interior enamel also makes it easier to monitor food during cooking, which can be a huge plus when trying to achieve perfect results.

Staub: 9/10

Le Creuset: 9.5/10

Staub vs Le Creuset Cookware: Final Scores

Both Staub and Le Creuset offer exceptional cookware that will elevate any kitchen. Staub is ideal for those who want superior heat retention and browning, while Le Creuset is perfect for cooks who value colour variety and ease of use.

Whether you choose Staub's rugged elegance or Le Creuset's vibrant charm, both brands are built to last a lifetime and provide professional-grade results for any home cook.

Staub Score: 35.5/40

Le Creuset Score: 36/40

Which should you choose: A Le Creuset or Staub Dutch Oven?

Now that we've finished the main portion of this tasty comparison, let's move on to the final course and take an in-depth look at Le Creuset and Staub cast iron Dutch ovens.

This section isn't scored, but we couldn't ignore these two brands' most popular products, could we?

Staub Cocotte

Staub's Dutch ovens, known as cocottes, are some of the finest examples of craftsmanship in cast iron cookware.

One of Staub's standout features is its heavy lid with self-basting spikes on the underside. This design helps retain moisture and redistribute it evenly across your dish. It is particularly effective for slow-cooked meals like braises and stews, where moisture retention is key.

The matte black enamel interior promotes excellent browning and caramelisation, making it ideal for searing meat before simmering.

Staub Dutch ovens also come in deep, elegant hues resistant to chipping and fading. Their sturdy construction ensures long-term durability, while the tight-fitting lid and superior heat retention make Staub Dutch ovens perfect for achieving rich, flavorful results in the kitchen.

Le Creuset Dutch Oven

Le Creuset's Dutch ovens are iconic for their vibrant, glossy enamel finish and smoother, lighter-coloured interior. This light enamel makes it easy to monitor the cooking process, ensuring that nothing burns or sticks.

Le Creuset Dutch ovens are slightly lighter than Staub's, making them easier to handle without sacrificing the cooking quality.

The heat distribution in Le Creuset Dutch ovens is excellent, allowing for even cooking from the stovetop to the oven. Their wide selection of bright colours adds a decorative touch to your kitchen, and with their lifetime warranty, Le Creuset Dutch ovens are an investment in both function and style.

One of Le Creuset's advantages is the ergonomic handles, designed to provide a more comfortable grip. These handles can be particularly helpful when moving the casserole dish in and out of the oven.