But because they’re so large, you’ll likely end up handwashing most of the time anyway. If you go with a non-stick option, avoid metal utensils at all times. When it comes to stainless steel cookware, cuisinart soup maker I almost always recommend going with a fully-clad option. But, it’s also much more expensive and large stock pots are one instance where a fully-clad option isn’t necessarily worth the higher price.
This unique cookware is constructed of 90 percent high-grade copper, which has superb thermal conductivity for perfectly controlled cooking. The remaining 10 percent is stainless steel, which does not alter the properties of copper, and lines the interior for safe, non-reactive cooking every time. Nonetheless, with a lower price and great heat retention across the bottom, disk bottom stockpots are a viable option in the larger sizes. And in general, they give the best performance for a budget product. The Viking 3-ply stockpot offers a combination of stainless steel and aluminum alloys for unrivaled heat distribution, long-serving durability, good looks, and easy cleanup. The stainless steel is of high quality as well, with a large number of owners who report no pitting, corrosion, or discoloration – even after several trips through the dishwasher.
One happy customer wrote, “It is wonderful. No sticking on the bottom and cleanup was a breeze. This is also a beautiful piece of equipment.” If you have a limited budget but are looking for a big pot, the Cook N Home 12-Quart Stainless Steel Stockpot is a great choice. This basic 12-quart stockpot is made from stainless steel, polished to a mirror-like finish. Like many other stockpots, it features an aluminum disc in the bottom that is layered between stainless steel for better heat distribution.
The Retro stockpot is also available in a 3-quart size, as shown above. It also comes with two silicone handle-grabbers in the same shade as the pot. A big plus to these natural material coatings is that they’re stable under intense heat, and won’t break down at high temperatures as PTFEs do.
Overall, the ExcelSteel 12-quart stockpot set is a great choice for cooking a variety of foods or even canning. But, they are quite large and can be difficult to maneuver, especially when full of food. I know people who have dedicated closet or garage space for their large stockpots since kitchen cupboard real estate is too valuable. They’re often relatively inexpensive, especially when you consider what a large piece of cookware a stockpot is. You can easily spend much more than that, but you won’t find much difference in cooking performance. That’s why this is a great place to save a little money in your kitchen budget, while still getting a high performing and long lasting pot.
My best overall and budget pick are very similar when it comes to cooking performance. But, I think that the handle design of Cuisinart alone makes it worth the slightly higher price. As the name implies, a stock pot is great for making stock or bone broth. The only safety concern to keep in mind is the large size and weight of a stockpot full of food. It can be very dangerous to lift and move such a large pot that’s full of hot liquid.
There are just too many complaints regarding the poor quality of the porcelain coating to be attributed to anything but the production process. Customers also report issues with the lid being a poor fit that it is wobbly, allowing too much moisture to evaporate as a result. The carbon steel makes for a great lightweight vessel that is easy to lift and maneuver.
We were able to scrub away the discoloration, but it took some work. We liked how lightweight this pot felt, and it was easy to transport from stove to sink, but it took a little longer to heat contents due to its thicker base. Its lid, which weighed 137/8 ounces, was the lightest in the lineup and easy to position in place. A good quality eight-quart stockpot should be able to withstand extreme heat conditions.
Plus, the combination of tall sides with a narrower mouth minimizes evaporation, making it ideal for the low, slow cooking needed for soups, stews, and stock. The oversized and ergonomically designed handles are made of stay-cool cast stainless steel – durable, oven-safe, and attractive. And as they’re made of solid stainless, they conduct heat very slowly cuisinart pots and pans set for comfortable and safe usage on the stovetop. The large stay-cool loop handles are securely riveted to the body with four stainless steel rivets per handle, so you know moving this pot is going to be safe and secure. The Calphalon also features a snugly-fitted tempered glass lid, which makes it easy to keep an eye on your level of boil or simmer.