Compare Dutch Ovens
Which scores higher on safety? R3 breaks it down.
The most important dimensions, side by side.
Staub meets California Prop 65 for lead -- the strictest lead standard in the US. Zwilling publishes the audit documents, so this isn't a claim you have to take on faith.
Cadmium causes kidney damage and cancer. Staub is Prop 65 compliant on cadmium with Zwilling-published audit documentation -- the strongest cadmium compliance record in this comparison.
Staub claims PFOA-free and PTFE-free. This is almost certainly accurate given the enamel chemistry -- vitreous enamel is glass and can't contain PFAS. No independent lab has published a specific test report, which is the only reason this isn't a 10.
Limited lifetime warranty. If the enamel chips under normal use, you have recourse -- important when you're spending $280.
Vermicular explicitly tests to California's Prop 65 lead standard — the strictest in the US. Their three-layer enamel process is designed for precision, and their compliance documentation backs it up.
Cadmium-free under Prop 65 testing. Cadmium was historically used in vivid colored enamel glazes — having it explicitly covered in their compliance documentation matters.
Traditional vitreous enamel is made by fusing glass to cast iron — PFAS simply cannot exist in this material. It does not need a PFAS test panel because the chemistry makes it impossible. This is different from a ceramic coating, where an explicit test is necessary.
A 30-year warranty is not quite lifetime, but it is longer than almost any other dutch oven on the market outside of Le Creuset and Staub. Vermicular stands behind their manufacturing quality.
Safe to 500F -- covers Dutch oven bread, roasting, and all braising. Same rating as the flagship Staub cocotte.
At 450°F, Vermicular handles braises, roasts, soups, and most bread baking. If you regularly bake artisan bread at 500°F+, check your specific recipe requirements before buying.
Staub's black matte interior textured with ground quartz creates better heat distribution and browning surface. The lid's interior spikes return moisture as tiny droplets, keeping braises consistently moist. Same engineering as the flagship.
The 0.01mm precision lid seal is Vermicular's signature feature — it creates a near-airtight environment that holds heat and moisture exceptionally well. Reviewers consistently rate it on par with Le Creuset and Staub for braising performance.
12.5 lbs empty -- essentially the same as the other Staub models. Two hands every time you move it, and a sturdy trivet. This is the weight you accept with premium enameled cast iron.
At 9.3 lbs empty, Vermicular is heavier than Caraway but lighter than many comparable cast iron options. The weight reflects the cast iron body that makes it cook so well.
At $280, you're getting the full Staub safety and performance package for $20 less than the flagship colorway. Still a significant investment, but the documentation and cooking performance are the same.
At $450, Vermicular is a significant investment. This is a pot you buy once and keep for decades — the 30-year warranty and Japanese manufacturing quality are part of the value equation.
Everything you need to make the call - who each one is for, and who should skip it.
Go for it if you...
You want the highest documented enamel safety -- Prop 65 for lead and cadmium with Zwilling-published audits -- and this colorway suits your kitchen.
You cook slowly and often: braises, soups, stews, and Dutch oven bread all benefit from Staub's self-basting lid and excellent heat retention.
You want to save $280 versus the flagship Basil colorway for identical performance and safety credentials.
Safety certification, not just safety claims, is your standard.
You want the single best non-toxic dutch oven available and are willing to invest accordingly.
Long, slow braises and soups that benefit from exceptional, consistent heat retention are central to how you cook.
You value Japanese manufacturing precision and want a pot designed to last decades.
You want a 30-year warranty as an assurance of long-term quality.
PFAS-free status based on inherent material chemistry (vitreous enamel) rather than a test claim feels more trustworthy to you.
The main thing to know
This is the same Staub safety story and cooking performance as the flagship round cocotte -- Prop 65 certified for lead and cadmium, Zwilling audits published, excellent heat retention, self-basting lid -- at a $20 savings. The ASIN and colorway differ from the Basil flagship but the underlying product is the same Turckheim, France-manufactured cast iron with identical safety credentials. If you want Staub's documented safety record and the specific colorway on this listing is what you want, this is the same deal.
The Vermicular earns the highest R3 score in the dutch oven category by combining Prop 65-compliant safety credentials, inherently PFAS-free vitreous enamel, exceptional heat retention from Japanese precision manufacturing, and a 30-year warranty. The tradeoff is price — at $380-$450 it is the most expensive option in this comparison, and it is oven-safe to 450°F rather than 500°F+.
Skip this if you...
Your budget is under $150 -- Lodge gives you solid lead safety at $80.
You want the 580F oven-safe rating -- Made In has that at $200 with strong lab documentation.
Your budget is under $250 — Caraway delivers strong safety credentials at less than half the price.
You regularly bake bread at 500°F+ and need an oven-safe rating above 450°F.
You need a lightweight pot — at 9.3 lbs it is manageable but heavier than Caraway.
Neither of these quite what you're looking for?
I've reviewed all Dutch Ovens options at every price pointEvery Dutch Ovens in our database is scored using R3's deterministic scoring system - the same inputs always produce the same score. For this comparison, we evaluated Staub and Vermicular across 3 independent criteria: Safety (87%), Efficacy (12%), Usability (1%). No sponsored rankings. No paid placements.
Straight answers - no sponsored content, no filler.
Both scored close to 9.5/10, so the better choice depends on your priorities. Safety is our top-weighted scoring pillar, followed by efficacy, and usability. Check which pillar matters most to your family and compare those specific scores.
R3 uses a deterministic scoring system - the same inputs always produce the same score. We evaluate each Dutch Ovens across Safety, Efficacy, Usability using independently verified data. No sponsored rankings. No paid placements. Every score is fully reproducible.
Not necessarily. The overall score reflects our weighted rubric, but your priorities may differ. If you care most about safety, compare the safety scores directly. If budget drives your decision, the prices tell a clearer story. The "right" pick is the one that matches what matters most to your family.
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