Staub cocottes are the best you can buy-far superior to Le Creuset in that you don’t have to worry about stained or broken enamel, plastic knobs that crack, break off and have to be replaced, loose fitting lids, etc. Staub lids fit tight, the knobs are secure metal, the handles are easier for large hands, and best of all, the self basting spikes on the lid are where the magic is at. Crisp up the chicken’s skin on the rougher texture in the bottom of the pot, which often has greater surface area than Le Creuset, throw in some root veggies, herbs and maybe a little wine and then put the lid on, pop it into the oven and make it rain!! You can walk away and come back to a perfectly moist bird!!
My only issues with this purchase were Wayfair. It was my first time purchasing and it was a Black Friday sale. The pot was advertised at $109 which lured me in, but upon checkout there was a little +120 next to the price! It also wouldn’t take my mailer coupon for 10% off my first purchase. I then called to place the order over the phone and explained what I was seeing with the price, which was now fluctuating before my eyes. She said, “That’s just how our site is built, the tiny plus $120 is correct, and the prices fluctuate constantly. Do you want the pot or not?” She took the 10% off from my coupon and I reluctantly bought the pot, all the while thinking, “This is bait and switch!” My husband and sister couldn’t believe or understand it either! The pot arrived and while it appears to be real Staub, it has numerous visual imperfections which were not advertised. You can get lower priced merchandise on Zwilling’s site that has visual imperfections, but they tell you that up front! Paying over $200, and $120 more than advertised, then receiving a damaged item makes me think my first Wayfair purchase might be my last! Because this is the 13.25 quart pot, it’s WAY too heavy for me to try to return and I’m not confident with how they would fix it. See the photos.
