Good material is half the battle, which is undoubtedly the case in the kitchen. There is more than enough choice when it comes to pots and pans. Yet there is often a difference between various brands regarding quality, durability, and the final result of the baking or cooking process. Two brands that score highly in all areas are Le Creuset and Staub. In this article, we put the two brands side by side, and you will discover the differences.
Le Creuset; bring color to your kitchen
Le Creuset pots and pans are not new and have been around for several decades. The fact that they are still very popular today says a lot about the quality.
In 1925, two Belgian industrialists met at a fair in Brussels. They combined their knowledge and specialties to create the first enameled cast iron cocotte, which can still be found in many kitchens today.
The prototype was a success, and from there, Le Creuset was born. From the very beginning, the colors set Le Creuset’s pots and pans apart from all other brands. The first color, orange-red, was inspired by the color seen in the melting process.
Over the years, many other colors were added, and by now there is always a color to match any kitchen or interior. For example, the Elysee Yellow collection by Le Creuset was very popular with Marilyn Monroe, among others.
High quality, durable and unique
Le Creuset pots and pans exude quality and durability. The cast-iron stovetop pans are made from 85% recycled iron and steel. The name Le Creuset comes from the “mold” into which the molten raw materials are poured.
After this is completely cooled, the mold is broken down, and the stew emerges. As a result, each Le Creuset pot or pan is unique. The sand from the mold is reused each time.
The pots and pans are meticulously checked and inspected throughout the production process. Only in this way can high quality, durability, and unsurpassed cooking performance be guaranteed every time.
Each pot or pan is sprayed with at least two coats of enamel. This is followed by manual finishing, and the pots and pans are tested for safety. The finishing touch is the manual placement of the knobs and handles.
Staub; bring the best of France into your home
The Staub brand has also been running in kitchens worldwide for several decades. This authentic French brand comes from beautiful Alsace, a region known for its delicious gastronomy. The cast iron cocottes produced by Staub bring the best of France, in the form of authentic and tasty dishes, to your table.
Style and functionality for a warm, cozy and tasty experience
Each Staub cocotte is unique and is finished by hand after the special production process. The molten cast iron is cast in highly detailed molds. Expertise and the proper techniques are central here so that the end result is always perfect.
A new mold is made for each cocotte, giving each Staub pot and pan its unique character. The finishing touches are applied by professionals with a keen eye for detail, followed by the final process: the enameling of the cocotte.
The different layers of enamel make the pots and pans more durable and resistant to temperature changes and scratches. Finally, some color is added to the cocotte. After a final quality check, Staub pots and pans are ready to go to work in your kitchen.
Le Creuset vs Staub; discover the differences
As you have already read, the production process is similar in many ways for both brands. Yet the end result is very different in several areas. Those differences can influence the choice between Le Creuset and Staub.
Color
Le Creuset, among others, is also known for its colorful pots and pans. With Staub, the colors are relatively neutral. This makes them match, of course, always and everywhere. Another important difference is the color on the inside.
The interior of Staub pans is matte black or dark gray, while Le Creuset pans have a creamy white interior, except for the grill and frying pans.
Both have advantages and disadvantages. For example, a lighter color makes it easier to better monitor the doneness of the food in the pan. In addition, a lighter color also facilitates the cleaning process because you can clearly see all the residue. A disadvantage of the lighter interior is that traces of use stand out more quickly.
The dark interior of Staub pans hides the signs of use but is more difficult to clean thoroughly. The dark interior means that you may miss some residue. It is also slightly more challenging to keep an eye on the doneness of the food.
Lid
The lids of Le Creuset and Staub pots and pans also differ slightly. The lid of Staub pots is heavier and seals better. This has the advantage that less steam, condensation, and cooking water can escape. This makes the dishes taste even better. This is especially useful for dishes such as soups and stews or dishes that need to be on the fire for a long time.
The lids at Le Creuset seal slightly less well compared to Staub, though the difference is minimal.
While the lid of Le Creuset pans looks pretty normal, the inside of the lid of Staub pots looks a little different. On the inside of the lid, you can see a spherical pattern all around.
These spheres are not decoration and do have a use. This is the self-draining system that ensures that the condensation is evenly distributed back over the contents of the jar.
Thanks to this spherical pattern, the cooking liquid is distributed evenly throughout the pot. With Le Creuset lids, the condensation and cooking liquid tend to return to the pot centrally and along the edges.
Cleaning
A used pot or pan must, of course, be cleaned again. A job that should never take too long with high-quality pans. And that is certainly true in the case of Le Creuset and Staub. Yet there is also some difference.
We already mentioned that the dark-colored interior of Staub (and some Le Creuset) pans makes cleaning a bit more difficult. The light cream-colored interior of most Le Creuset pans is easier to get completely clean.
Weight
It goes without saying that a cast iron pan does carry some weight. So handling a Le Creuset or Staub pot or pan is best done with both hands. The heavier lid, which we mentioned earlier, makes Staub pots and pans slightly heavier than Le Creuset pans.
Are there any similarities between Le Creuset and Staub?
Suitable for professional but also novice and hobby cooks
An expensive pot or pan is often linked to professional kitchens. However, pots and pans from Le Creuset and Staub can be used by anyone. Using quality products also makes cooking more fun, even for hobby cooks and ordinary people like you and me.
The advantage of these cast iron pots and pans is that this material retains heat very well and distributes it evenly. Actually, anyone can use such pots and pans to conjure up fantastic dishes on the table.
The dishes will also be less likely to cool, allowing you to scoop up a second serving straight from the pot rather than having to reheat it.
Suitable for all fires and the oven
Both Le Creuset and Staub pots and pans are suitable for use on all types of fires. In addition, you can also use them in the oven. Some types, such as those with wooden handles, can not be used in the oven.
Because cast iron can conduct and hold heat very well, it is recommended not to set the fire too high. It is better to use low to medium heat. That way, you avoid thermal shocks that could potentially damage the pots and pans.
Dishwasher safe, but…
If you have a dishwasher, then pay attention. A Le Creuset pot or pan can be washed in the dishwasher without problems. Between the lines, we read that, to keep the enamel shiny, it is rather recommended to clean the pans by hand.
This is also the case with Staub. Although the pots and pans do withstand the dishwasher, it is, however, by Staub itself, not recommended to clean their products in the dishwasher.
If you have decided to clean the pots and pans by hand, preferably use a detergent specifically for cast iron.
Scratch resistant
The enameled material in both Le Creuset and Staub pots and pans is scratch resistant. However, using wooden, silicone, or plastic cookware is recommended. Better safe than sorry, it’s called.
Not cheap
We have to mention this too; otherwise, the whole picture would be incomplete. Le Creuset and Staub pots and pans are not cheap. However, for the rather high price tag, you get a rock-solid, high-quality pan in its place.
No matter which brand you prefer, such pots and pans are bought for life. If you look at it that way, the price tag isn’t too bad in the end, right? Staub is generally a bit cheaper than Le Creuset, though.
Staub cast-iron pots have a 30-year warranty, and Le Creuset has a lifetime warranty (pots from 2001). Of course, the warranty is void in case of abnormal use of the products or in case of normal wear and tear. If you treat these pots and pans as a good family man, you will be set for a very long time.
Conclusion; Le Creuset vs Staub
Le Creuset or Staub, do you know by now? Both brands have their pros and cons (relative to each other). Either way, both brands are tops in their category. Whichever brand you bring into your home, cooking will never be the same again.
Why choose Staub?
Staub’s pots and pans seem to us to be the better ones when you want to keep the cooking vapor in the pot. The self-draining system on the lid distributes the cooking steam and condensation optimally and makes the dishes even tastier. A minor point of criticism is the dark enamel inner layer, which makes it a bit harder to follow the cooking and baking process.
Staub wins over Le Creuset in terms of price, although the difference is not that great.
Why choose Le Creuset?
The durable pots and pans from Le Creuset are first and foremost bought for their quality. If you like some color in your kitchen or on the table, the colorful pans of Le Creuset are a no-brainer.
In addition, thanks to the cream-colored interior, cleaning a Le Creuset pan is very easy. The high contrast lets you clean the pan beautifully and never leave any residue behind.
By now, you know about the differences between Le Creuset and Staub pots and pans. We can’t decide for you, of course. If the choice were ours, we would opt for the ease of use of Le Creuset. We have often prepared delicious stews in our Le Creuset.
We are curious what you think about this. Be sure to let us know in a comment at the bottom of the page.
