One month after reporting our grate problems and without any communication from Capital or AJ Madison, a set of new grates were delivered to us. The finish on the new grates is much improved over the original set and they sit level on our range top. We're very happy with the range now, but not happy with the lack of communication from customer service (or our damaged enameled pan). AJ Madison made the sale but dropped the ball in tandem with Capital on customer service follow through.

I 100% agree with you that better communication would be expected when dealing with customer service. And while I haven't seen your defective grates, I can certainly belief you when you're saying that there was a manufacturing fault. That can happen. It's unfortunate that QA didn't catch it. But I am glad it did get resolved.

But as far as your cookware is concerned, I think it helps to adjust your expectations. Capital makes great and very functional stoves, and Staub makes wonderful pots. Both of these are tools. And they will eventually show signs or wear and tear. Treat this as a badge of honor. It shows that you actually use your kitchen to make delicious meals. All my enameled pots are scorched and scratched at the bottom. Your scratch looks deeper than what I usually see. But does that really matter that much? As long as it doesn't go all the way through the enamel, it's unlikely to cause actual problems.

Similarly, while I try to take good care of my pots, the insides no longer look pristine. There are marks and stains that will probably never go away entirely. And yes, Staub definitely is easier to take care of than LeCreuset. Also, most of my cast iron pots have small rust marks at the edges where the enamel isn't quite as thick or where it chipped a little. (Again, more of a problem with LeCreuset and less with Staub). It doesn't seem to affect anything other than cosmetics.

"M", I appreciate your input but with all due respect, we take very good care of all of our cookware and take no pride in a scratched pan or see it as a badge of honor. We didn't invest in Staub pots simply for functionality, they command a high
price precisely because of their "cosmetics": beautiful colors, designs
and workmanship. We used our 10 other enameled Staub and Le Creuset pieces for years on our DCS range, and not one has a scratched bottom. I see the galling scratches on our new paella pan for what they are; damage caused by poorly finished grates that should not have happened.

Regarding your enameled pots; I wonder if you dry your pots after washing them? Our enameled cast iron doesn't have rust marks on the edges, but we dry them after washing and use wooden cooking tools which might have helped avoid that.

You'll probably be shocked to hear that my cast iron pots go into the dishwasher. So, that's the amount of drying that they get. I'm not surprised by the tiny rust spots, but also not bothered at all.

I see what you're saying, and I understand your point of view. But I think I'm way too pragmatic for that. It's a tool. I'm not going to do anything that breaks it. But I don't much care about looks if it impedes my use of the pots. They go on the grates, in the oven, everywhere. And they have to deal with hours of slow cooked food that burns on at times.

And at the end of the day, they still clean up fine ... just not perfectly factory new.