STAUB LA COCOTTE 3.8 L CAST IRON ROUND COCOTTE, CHERRY - VISUAL IMPERFECTIONS 135$ (67% off label)

Great deal, thanks OP

Honey also found me this coupon: ZWCA-8FP2-EJK7

Better to get the one in the OP or this one?

https://www.zwilling.com/ca/staub-la-co ... conds_sale

This one is slightly bigger but also slightly lighter?

Coolcicada wrote: ↑ Better to get the one in the OP or this one?

https://www.zwilling.com/ca/staub-la-co ... conds_sale

This one is slightly bigger but also slightly lighter?

A few thoughts on this and on Staub in general:

The one quoted above does not have an oven safe handle on the lid. The one in the OP does. One thing I don't like about Staub is the black interior. Makes it next to impossible to see fond developing/ensuring you are scraping up all that beautiful fond. If this was Le Creuset I'd jump all over it.

calvados.boualrd wrote: ↑ A few thoughts on this and on Staub in general:

The one quoted above does not have an oven safe handle on the lid. The one in the OP does. One thing I don't like about Staub is the black interior. Makes it next to impossible to see fond developing/ensuring you are scraping up all that beautiful fond. If this was Le Creuset I'd jump all over it.

The handle is oven safe to 500° - do you find yourself cooking hotter than that in a dutch oven?

Prices have gone up so much.
I remember getting the same one but in truffle for 120$ - 10% off. 2 yrs ago..
Was waiting for the rice cocotte to go sale but should have bought them back then too

calvados.boualrd wrote: ↑ A few thoughts on this and on Staub in general:

The one quoted above does not have an oven safe handle on the lid. The one in the OP does. One thing I don't like about Staub is the black interior. Makes it next to impossible to see fond developing/ensuring you are scraping up all that beautiful fond. If this was Le Creuset I'd jump all over it.

What you're talking about is really similar to Ford vs Dodge.. Personally i'm a staub guy, and i haven't had any issues scraping the fond, or 'seeing' it, and this will be my fourth addition to the set. Either a staub guy or a le creuset guy.. Both are top class, but some will argue one is better than the other. I bet side by side, the performance is almost identical.

What does 'visual imperfections' mean to experienced RFD shoppers. Nick's in the paint coating, chipped emanel, small dents? What are we talking here, something that would naturally eventually happen after a few normal uses?

Got the 6.6L version from Costco for $180 3 years ago. It’s our favourite cooking pot. Roasted whole chicken in this thing is magic. Would recommend the larger 6.6L version.

Just beware Zwilling’s order fulfillment is not too great, just have a look at their awful Google review ratings. I tried ordering from them, it was a mess. I never got the item (tracking confirms I never got the item), it’s now been over two months and I am trying to get my money back. They claim a refund will be issued but they’re not making that easy.

Jhammer wrote: ↑ What does 'visual imperfections' mean to experienced RFD shoppers. Nick's in the paint coating, chipped emanel, small dents? What are we talking here, something that would naturally eventually happen after a few normal uses?

Ymmv but out of like 10 purchases I have gotten for vis imp, I have never been able to make out any proper visual imperfections. They looked perfect to me. Maybe like a small dot on the bottom of the pot not being covered by paint (still covered by clear enamel)

I’ve been told 6.5L+ round for staub or LC is the way to go for versatility:

https://www.zwilling.com/ca/staub-la-co ... rt=1&sz=48

retr0 wrote: ↑Great deal, thanks OP

Honey also found me this coupon: ZWCA-8FP2-EJK7

Fyi, this is the same 15% off sign up code

Items in the clearance section, warehouse sale section or marked clearance, discontinued, visual imperfections or closeout are non-refundable. All sales on clearance and warehouse sale items are final.

We have way too many Staub and Le Creuset (somewhere over 12 pieces...yeah we have a problem...don't ask about the copper, that's worse).
We prefer Staub as all our LC tends to craze on the inside glaze. Staub does not.
The white LC interior is easier to see for fond/caramelizing, but I don't find this to be a big deal, though I use LC more if I'm doing a white/light dish. just because we have both; it's not really a big deal either way.
Staub tends to far brown easier.
Think boeuf bourguignonne (beef stew) in Staub and Blanquette de Veau (white veal) in Le Creuset if you want to be fussy, but either can easily be done in either pot.

And they are always on sale: never paid anything close to retail price. Some were new, some were seconds and some were outlet. We do not notice any difference in appearance or performance. Sometimes it's just that one brand has that awesome colour on sale.

edit for when you're feeling whimsy, look for the Staub Animal Knobs. Too pricey at regular $30, but ok when 50% off. Cow, pig, rooster, rabbit, fish, snail, lobster. Fit both Staub and Le Creuset.

Jhammer wrote: ↑ What does 'visual imperfections' mean to experienced RFD shoppers. Nick's in the paint coating, chipped emanel, small dents? What are we talking here, something that would naturally eventually happen after a few normal uses?

Something the QC inspectors spotted that you would never notice and has no effect on use. I have never spotted any issues with all the "visual imperfections" I have bought and they have all been used and washed a lot.

I would have noticed a nick, chip or dent.They don't sell those as it would drag down the brand.

Neezy99 wrote: ↑ I’ve been told 6.5L+ round for staub or LC is the way to go for versatility:

https://www.zwilling.com/ca/staub-la-co ... rt=1&sz=48

Agreed. But further, you want to go for the oval shape. More versatile for whole chickens and the like, unequal heat not a big deal for stews since this is a nice thick cast iron. I just bought this big boy down here, I'm pretty pleased. Thank you Op.

https://www.zwilling.com/ca/staub-la-co ... ns#start=1

Some Homesense stores carry them as well - we ended up picking up a 6.7L round cocotte (B grade/second choice) for $220 at the Newmarket location.

Beware of buying visual imperfection stuff off the Zwilling website - we bought a 5.25L virtual imperfection one online from the Zwilling website mid-Feb. The day after I got an email saying it was delayed - no biggie. Then a few weeks later I got an email saying they had just straight up cancelled my order. When I called in, they basically said their website is pretty inaccurate when it comes to showing stock (the model we had bought that just got cancelled was still showing as "in stock" online) and said it's best to call in to confirm that the model is indeed actually in stock. And because they don't actually actively try to produce visual imperfection models, there's no telling when they might actually come back in stock.