The pumpkin-shaped cocottes from Staub and Le Creuset are both iconic pieces of seasonal cookware, but they differ significantly in aesthetic, price, and interior finish. The Staub Pumpkin Cocotte features a rustic, understated matte finish and a black enamel interior known for superior searing, at a more accessible price point. The Le Creuset Pumpkin Cocotte is renowned for its vibrant, glossy colors and a light-colored interior that makes it easy to monitor cooking, positioning it as a premium collector's item.
Here's everything you need to know to decide which of these heirloom-quality Dutch ovens is right for your kitchen.
Staub Pumpkin Cocotte
The Staub Pumpkin Cocotte combines high-performance French cookware with charming, rustic design. It's best known for its durable matte enamel finish and self-basting lid, making it a workhorse for stews, braises, and roasts with an aesthetic perfect for fall gatherings.
- What it is: A pumpkin-shaped enameled cast iron Dutch oven made for slow-cooking, roasting, and beautiful oven-to-table presentation.
- Key features: Textured matte black enamel interior excels at browning and searing, self-basting lid with small spikes returns moisture evenly to food, decorative brass or nickel stem handle on the lid.
- Price: Typically ranges from $150 to $200.
- Style: Offers a charming and rustic aesthetic with a more traditional farmhouse feel. Generally available in signature colors like Burnt Orange, Black, or White.
- Materials/Construction: Heavy-gauge cast iron made in France with a multi-layered enamel coating that is highly resistant to chipping.
- Pros: More affordable than its Le Creuset counterpart. Matte black interior is excellent for searing meats and hides stains well. The self-basting spikes on the lid create exceptionally moist results. Heavy construction ensures superior heat retention.
- Cons: Limited color selection compared to Le Creuset. The dark interior can make it harder to see fond development or small bits of food while cooking.
This cocotte is for the home cook who prioritizes cooking performance and a timeless, rustic style while seeking great value in an heirloom piece.
Shop this product: zwilling.com/us/staub/pumpkin-cocottes/
Le Creuset Pumpkin Cocotte
The Le Creuset Pumpkin Cocotte is a highly collectible and visually striking piece of cookware. Celebrated for its extensive and vibrant color palette and polished finish, it’s designed to be a festive centerpiece on the dining table as much as a tool in the kitchen.
- What it is: A colorful, statement-making enameled cast iron pumpkin-shaped Dutch oven perfect for holiday cooking and display.
- Key features: A wide array of bold, glossy exterior colors, a smooth, sand-colored interior that resists staining and makes it easy to monitor cooking progress, ergonomic handles and a heat-resistant knob.
- Price: Usually priced between $250 and $350.
- Style: Polished, vibrant, and eye-catching. Acts as both high-end cookware and a piece of seasonal home decor. The finish is glossy and refined.
- Materials/Construction: Premium enameled cast iron crafted in France. The durable sand-colored interior enamel is engineered to resist wear and prevent sticking.
- Pros: Available in an extensive palette of stunning colors. Light-colored interior makes it easy to track browning and clean. Serves as a beautiful decorative piece. Strong brand reputation and highly collectible.
- Cons: Significantly more expensive than the Staub version. The glossy exterior can be more prone to showing scratches or chips with rough handling. Light interior may show stains from highly-pigmented foods over time.
The Le Creuset Pumpkin is ideal for cooks and entertainers who view their cookware as part of their home's decor and are willing to invest in a colorful, iconic statement piece.
Shop this product: lecreuset.com/pumpkin-cocotte/
Staub Pumpkin vs. Le Creuset Pumpkin Comparison
Style & Aesthetic
The most immediate difference between the two is their appearance. The Staub Pumpkin has a rich, deep color with a refined matte texture that feels rustic and organic. It's a fantastic fit for farmhouse, traditional, or cozy modern decor styles where texture and understated elegance are valued. Its design feels more like a treasured tool meant for regular use in a warm, inviting kitchen.
In contrast, the Le Creuset Pumpkin is all about vibrant, eye-popping color and a brilliant glossy finish. Its design is more polished and serves as a decorative centerpiece. With a wide array of color options, from classic Flame orange to seasonal blues and greens, it can match any kitchen decor and stands out on a holiday table or open shelving. It's a statement piece for those who love bold design.
Materials & Construction
Both cocottes are crafted from enameled cast iron in France and offer a lifetime warranty, so quality is exceptionally high on both fronts. The primary construction difference is the interior enamel. Staub uses a proprietary matte black enamel, which is slightly textured. This surface excels at creating a beautiful sear on meats and vegetables and becomes more non-stick over time with use. It is also excellent at hiding minor stains.
Le Creuset uses a smooth, sand-colored interior enamel. This light surface is a major practical advantage, as it makes it easy to monitor fond (the browned bits on the bottom of the pan) and visually track cooking progress. It’s also very easy to clean, though strong colors from things like tomato sauce or turmeric can sometimes require a bit of extra effort to remove completely. Staub's self-basting spikes on the lid's interior offer a slight performance edge for exceptionally moist braises, but both lids deliver excellent results.
Dimensions & Sizing
Both the Staub and Le Creuset pumpkins are offered in similar sizes, generally ranging from around 4 to 7 quarts. This size is perfect for making a hearty soup for a family, braising a small roast, baking a round of artisan bread, or serving a generous side dish for a holiday meal. Their dimensions make them suitable for any standard oven and large enough to be a functional centerpiece without overwhelming the table.
Price & Value
This is a major differentiator. The Staub Pumpkin is consistently more affordable, often by $100 or more. It provides nearly identical cooking performance and heirloom-quality durability for a lower initial investment. The value here is in getting a top-tier piece of French cookware that will last a lifetime without the premium brand pricing.
Le Creuset's higher price reflects its iconic brand status, extensive color development, and positioning as a collectible kitchen luxury. For many, the value lies in acquiring a beautiful object that brings joy during cooking and serving, and its resale value on the collector's market can be quite high for limited-edition colors.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both of these stunning seasonal cocottes are excellent investments, but they are built for different buyers.
Choose the Staub Pumpkin Cocotte if:
- You prioritize searing performance and achieving a deep, even brown on meats.
- You appreciate a rustic, farmhouse aesthetic with a more understated matte finish.
- Your budget is a primary consideration, and you want the best value for heirloom quality.
- You prefer an interior that won't show stains and improves with age.
Choose the Le Creuset Pumpkin Cocotte if:
- You want your cookware to be a colorful, decorative statement piece for your kitchen and table.
- You value having a wide array of vibrant, glossy colors to choose from.
- You prefer a light-colored interior to easily monitor your cooking progress.
- You are a brand enthusiast or collector willing to pay a premium for the iconic Le Creuset name.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the main difference between the Staub and Le Creuset pumpkins?
The three main differences are aesthetics, interior enamel, and price. Staub has a rustic, matte finish, a black interior for better searing, and is more affordable. Le Creuset has a wide range of glossy colors, a light sand-colored interior for easy monitoring, and a higher price tag.
Is Le Creuset worth the extra money?
Whether it's worth the premium depends on your priorities. If you value color choice and want a statement piece that doubles as decoration, many users find it well worth the cost. If your focus is purely on cooking performance and durability for a lower price, Staub offers comparable quality.
Can you use these pots on an induction stovetop?
Yes, both Staub and Le Creuset enameled cast iron cookware are compatible with all stovetops, including gas, electric, ceramic, and induction.
How do you clean enameled cast iron?
Hand washing with warm soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge is recommended for both. Avoid metal scouring pads. For stubborn residue on Le Creuset’s light interior, a paste of baking soda and water can help. While technically dishwasher safe, years of regular dishwashing can dull the enamel's luster.
Which pumpkin pot cooks better?
Neither is definitively "better," as they excel at slightly different things. Staub’s black interior gets a slight edge for searing meat due to its texturing. Le Creuset’s light interior makes it easier to watch sauces and fond develop without burning. Both provide exceptional heat retention and are excellent for slow-cooking.
What's the best size to buy?
A size between 4 and 5 quarts is very versatile and suitable for soups, stews, and sides for 4-6 people. If you plan to cook larger roasts or host big gatherings, a 6 or 7-quart model would be more appropriate.
Are these pumpkin pots oven-safe?
Yes, both are oven-safe to 500°F (260°C), including their lids and knobs. This makes them perfect for braises, roasts, and baking bread.
Which brand is more durable?
Both brands are known for their exceptional durability and offer lifetime warranties. Staub's matte enamel is very durable and great at hiding minor blemishes. Le Creuset's glossy enamel is also extremely tough, but deep chipping can happen if the pot is dropped on a hard surface.
At Interior Insider, we're dedicated to curating the best in home decor, interior design, and home essentials to help you discover brands we think you'll love. Every brand we feature is independently selected by our editorial team based on quality, design, and craftsmanship. When you make a purchase through our links, Interior Insider may earn a commission - which helps support our small team and allows us to continue bringing you inspiration and expert advice for creating your perfect space.
Looking for more inspiration? Explore our curated design guides to find your next favorite piece.
