Product Profile: Staub Cast Iron Dutch Oven

By Daphne, from D. A. Niels

There are plenty of cookware choices for preparing beans but by far the superior choice is the Staub Cast Iron Dutch Oven.

I prefer to use this Dutch oven to cook dry beans because it is a quick and easy choice. As they say in that old infomercial, you just set it and forget it. More traditional cooking methods take three or four hours, including soaking the beans, and you need to keep an eye on everything while cooking. With the Staub, once the ingredients are in the Dutch oven, covered with about an inch and a half of water at 350 degrees, you can carry on with your day because there is virtually no maintenance and no fuss with the Staub in the oven. No more excuses that you spent all day watching the stove!

Pro Tip: Did you know that you don’t need to soak Staks first!

This is a huge plus for me. On a stovetop, we know that it is dangerous to leave a pot or pan unattended. And for the amount of time to cook beans on the stove, you will spend a good chunk of time overseeing the process. In this Dutch oven, that is a thing of the past. This is oven-safe up to 220°C/500°F.

When you are done cooking and need to store leftovers, you can pop it into the fridge for a couple of days. And yes, your beans will stay fresh! If you want to keep them longer, you can remove the cooking liquid and freeze the food.

As for liquids, I recommend not to cook with olive oil because the oil does not have a high burning point. You want an oil that can take high heat, such as grapeseed oil, coconut or canola oil. Another great (and trendy!) choice is avocado oil.

RELATED: TheStakCo.com/recipes/

The high-quality enamel-coated cast iron cookware retains heat well which saves time in the kitchen. It is ideal for making cakes and cookies, and for searing meat. You can go from the stovetop to the oven – meaning you can sear meat and sauté onions on the stovetop then put the Dutch oven right in the oven.

After you have enjoyed a good meal, the last thing you want to do is spend time fussing to clean your cookware – especially if most of your day was preparing the food. Cleanup with the Staub is extremely easy to do, especially if you have been seasoning the Dutch oven regularly. Simply hand-wash with soap and water, dry it, and rub with fresh grapeseed oil and put it away.

Cast iron is more desirable than, say, Teflon. Many people cook with too high a heat and sear the pot or pan when traditional Teflon pots weren’t designed for high heat – that ultimately breaks down the surface. In the past couple of years, people have been concerned about the coating of their cookware – and they should be. The health and safety of food preparation should always be first and foremost. Experienced chefs and even the new “COVID cooks” as I call them – people who have enjoyed experimenting in the kitchen during quarantine – have been researching different kitchenware and making informed choices which is something I love to see.

And like watching those famous infomercials, you’re probably asking yourself, “How much is it?” knowing that Staub is going to be an heirloom piece in your home and can easily last for generations, it is also an investment. The Staub Dutch oven is typically priced around $450. It’s as beautiful as it is functional.

A common entry-level cast iron cookware brand that we highly recommend is Lodge. It is more utilitarian and doesn’t have an enamel coating on the exterior. So, given the lower price point and less aesthetic appearance, customers are more likely to use Lodge over a campfire or take them camping.

One important consideration about cast iron cookware, thanks to its quality and construction, is it has a lot of heft. Netherington Foundry uses spun iron, so it is much lighter, but still highly durable and is an excellent brand for seniors or those with diminished hand strength.

Featured Product: Netherington Foundry Products Pots

The Staub Cast Iron Dutch oven is a cooking powerhouse that features easy-to-clean enamelled cast iron that doesn’t require seasoning. Cast iron is truly the workhorse of cookware. In my opinion, food tastes better and is much more flavourful. With cast iron, you can roast chicken, vegetables, you can make a blueberry pie in it, make bread, fry eggs. It is so versatile and it does not matter your skill level in the kitchen. It is very user-friendly and I highly encourage you to make it a part of your family tradition.

About Daphne an D. A. Niels:

Daphne has worked and D. A. Niels for more than 5 years. She loves the idea that anyone can cook and it can be fun, and especially, inspiring others to experience the joy of cooking!!!

D. A. Niels: Tucked away in the west end of Winnipeg, d.a. Niels Gourmet Kitchenware is a treasure trove for chefs and foodies. We have an extensive collection of fun and functional cookware, table top items, knives and gadgets from around the globe. Shop here: DanielsGourmetKitchenware.ca

See the Staub Dutch Oven (aka Cocotte) in action here: TheStakCo.com/live-love-laugh-chili/