STAUB: How to choose your cast-iron cocotte?

STAUB was born in Alsace, France, a region with huge culinary tradition. It was created in 1974 by Francis STAUB. Specialist in kitchen casseroles, the company is now both the French and international reference in terms of high-end cookware. Nowadays, STAUB is the restaurateurs’ favorite brand thanks to its quality. Its reputation doesn’t need to be proved any longer. STAUB doesn’t only favours a conception Made in France, but also an authentic know-how and traditional French manufacture.

With this article, COMPTOIR des INDUSTRIES Françaises helps you understand the main criteria to think about how to carefully choose your cast-iron cocotte.

Why choosing cast-iron instead of another material?

First of all, cast-iron for food is being used in the worldwide cuisine for thousands of years, even in Asia, especially for its resistance and capacity to spread the heat homogeneously thanks to water retention. It is not uncommon to pass on a casserole from a generation to another. STAUB’s cocottes even have a lifetime warranty.

Cast-iron is a mix of iron. This material is known for being extremely tolerant to heat, enabling a homogeneous and slow diffusion. And vice versa, it is also capable of retaining the cold!

Enamelled cast-iron is a procedure where a cast-iron product is covered with enamel, which gives it a better resistance and durability. It also prevents from rust.

Technical features

- Cast-iron is a material that keeps the heat of your meals (no worries regarding waiting time between meals).

- One of the STAUB cast-iron cocottes’ main characteristics is the continuous watering: drops stay stuck to the sides, cook your meals in a very homogeneous way and make your cuisine perfect.

- STAUB cast-iron casseroles are suitable for the dish-washer and easy to clean. But it is important to know about cleaning and maintenance of your cast-iron products, to ensure a long-term resistance and protection.

- However, as much as iron-cast is generally suitable for any cooking methods, it is not a non-stick surface and it is important to grease it before using it. In order to ensure a long life to your cocotte, it is necessary to season it regularly. Lucky you, STAUB cocottes are already seasoned before you buy it. But we advise you to do so once to twice a year, with the help of the following guidance:

• If you have a traditional cast-iron casserole, simply soak the surface up with oil and heat it up in the oven (up to 150°C/300F°) for a few minutes. Then, let it cool and remove the oil surplus. It is recommended to do so several times before the first use, then again, every 4 months.
• If you have an enamelled cast-iron cocotte, it’s different. A thin glass protection covers it. However, it still needs regular care. Start by rinsing it under hot water and dry it on very low heat, before adding a bit of plant oil with a cloth. Let it warm up a few more minutes and remove the oil surplus with a try cloth. Renew this from time to time.

Product features

- COMPTOIR des INDUSTRIES Françaises’ STAUB cocottes selection lists sizes from a diameter of 10 cm (0.25 litres) to 34 cm (12.6 litres).

- They are suitable for every heating source including induction and oven.

- A range of different models, unique colours and many sizes.

- Here are the different models offered:

• Round cocottes,
• Oval cocottes,
• Mini-cocottes,
• Special forms,
• Low cocottes,
• Cocottes with steaming basket.

Why choosing STAUB? Here are the benefits that you’ll find:

- Cast-iron casseroles, authentic and unique forms, different colours and sizes… We offer you a large choice of STAUB cocottes that will satisfy your needs.

- STAUB cocottes are very resistant, last long and have a lifetime warranty. The material used for the fabrication is very strong.

- All the STAUB cocottes we offer are exclusively Made In France: another guarantee for the high-end quality of the products, for their resistance and the respect of the French regulations in terms of composition of kitchenware.

- Cast-iron is an excellent material regarding flavour and nutritional virtues conservation. It also keeps the meat tender and vegetables soft.

- You can trust your STAUB iron-cast cocotte: it allows you to delegate the cooking by letting it stew and spend more time with your guests than in the kitchen.

- The STAUB cocotte is versatile. You can prepare all kinds of meals: roasts, stews, breads, risottos, stir-fries and more.

- One of the STAUB casserole’s secrets stays in its cover plate. It is 9 times more efficient that classic ones and saves humidity up to 10% more.

- Even after heating up, the cast-iron cocotte keeps its heat so you can reduce the heat to the minimum. In brief, you’re saving money while being eco-friendly!

- STAUB is also a high-quality, traditional and authentic know-how that respects thousand of years of use and innovation.

What about the STAUB pan?

The Chistera braiser

The STAUB pan ensures a continuous watering all along cooking. Thanks to this method, less fat is needed, and your meals are healthier.

Made in France, its cover plate is inspired by the Chistera Basque pelota. It makes the pan resist to heats up to 250°C/482F°, even in the oven. You can control your cooking because it retains heat. Its handles are ergonomic and easy to grab.

The Chistera braiser is available in 2 sizes (24 cm for 2.4 litres and 28 cm for 3.7 litres), in many unique colors, is perfect for browning and roasting, and keeps the original use of a cast-iron cocotte: stewing. It is also covered by 3 enamel layers and respects all French standards in terms of quality and safety very strictly. This pan and its inside finishing will meet all your expectations.

Get your STAUB Chistera braiser…

…or pick your STAUB cast-iron cocotte!