Updated March 2018: I have downgraded my 5-star rating to 2-star based on the customer service experience I received. In late summer 2017, I noticed a minor stain on the exterior finish of the cocotte. It appeared to be a mere watermark. Attempts to remove the stain with soap and water not only didn't work but continue to make the situation far worse resulting in the green finish becoming completely dulled. I was shocked and very upset. One of the best features of this expensive piece of cookware is its beauty -- its color and finish. Suddenly, just through a routine cleaning, that finish was gone, dulled. I went to Staub's website to determine if there was something I could do to restore the finish. I found no answer to my question and thus wound up writing Staub and asking them if there was something I could do, and if not, was the problem covered under the warranty (I'd had it only since February of that year and it was maybe the fourth or fifth time I used it). Their response was less than satisfactory. I was told they would have to look at the cocotte prior to determining if the problem was covered under the warranty. Since there was no distributor near me, I would have to return the product by mail at my own expense. There were also additional charges I would incur even if the product was found to be covered under the warranty, and if it was determined not to be a warranty issue, they would return the cocotte to me as is, again, at my expense for shipping. Ultimately, it would have cost me nearly as much to go through this process, with no guarantee of receiving a new one, as it was to purchase the item in the first place. And even if was under warranty, I would still be paying a hundred or more dollars to get a new one. I decided to keep the cocotte. I wound up putting some granite countertop polish on it and it looks okay, not perfect but not too bad. But only until I use it and then that polish comes off and I start all over again. Needless to say, perhaps, but I rarely use it now. Instead, I rely on my wonderful Le Creuset dutch oven which cleans up beautifully and easily. Every time. I have that for ten years now and the finish is nearly as perfect as it was the day I bought it. For half the price. I will let my original review stand as originally written. But as you can see even from that, this piece of expensive cookware requires very careful--delicate--handling. I thought I was up for that and did my best to care for it, and still failed. Live and learn. Obviously, I will never again purchase Staub cookware. **** This was something I've been looking at and wanting for a long time. Only the price kept me from purchasing it, but I finally gifted myself with it. I'm happy I did. My husband and I cook up a big soup or stew every week to last us through the week and this serves that purpose beautifully. We do not eat meat but I can see where this would be perfect for braising meat or cooking large chickens, etc. Reviewers here have said it is very heavy. I agree. It is heavy but I find it no heavier than other similar cookware (Le Creuset dutch oven or cast iron frying pans). In other words, the heaviest to me is not a problem, and it is one of the benefits of the cocotte. You're less likely to burn items cooking them in this. I'm an older woman and not exceptionally strong and have no trouble handling this piece. Washing it is probably the hardest part of dealing with its heaviness. Also, I now have a large one bowl sink that easily accommodates its near 7-quart size but if you have a two-compartment sink (very common) you may want to consider that before purchasing it. It would be difficult to wash in a small sink. The interior is similar to cast iron and you do have to treat it carefully. You definitely don't want to use anything on it that is not lint-free. I made the mistake of wiping a paper towel on the inside of it to dry it quickly and was sorry I did. It left small white paper fragments that were very difficult to get off. From then on I used just a lint-free dishcloth to gently wipe it dry after washing. I also left oil on the base of it to 'condition' it, misreading the directions (I thought it was like my cast iron cookware) and I think that caused some staining which hasn't in any way affected its cooking properties). And I only use wooden utensils to stir and serve from it, although I think you'd have to scrape it very hard with metal for it to scratch. Still, I don't want to take that chance. The handles get very warm/hot, as does the top, and you need to have potholders handy when using it. The lid is a little difficult to situate onto the dutch oven; you have to kind of wiggle it around to find the perfect fit. The exterior color is gorgeous. I bought the green one, Basil. I wish I had room to leave it out on display on a shelf. It's really gorgeous. I suspect this will be passed down to my son and maybe his children and their children! It is built to last generations. I have learned over the years that France produces some of the best cookware and bakeware in the world and now pretty much look for French-made whenever I'm purchasing something new. I believe that if cooking and baking is your hobby and you spend a lot of time doing that, then the investment in good cookware and bakeware is well worth it. This Staub Cocotte is definitely worth the price, aesthetically and pragmatically.
