Available in pastel shades of grey, a blue “mint” with either a ceramic coated lid or a tempered glass version, and the pink version that comes only with a tempered glass top. Constructed of thick-gauge cast aluminum, the Retro stockpot provides durability and has all of the hallmarks of a well-crafted, quality kettle. Back in 1968, Calphalon debuted on the marketplace with a new line of professional-grade cuisinart griddler elite cookware made from anodized aluminum, a specialized material used in aeronautics. The GreenGourmet stockpot gets top marks from happy shoppers for its outstanding nonstick performance, quick and even heat conductivity, and fast and easy cleanup. Made in China, the GreenGourmet comes with Cuisinart’s limited lifetime warranty to be free of manufacturing and material defects.
An inner core of aluminum ensures that foods heat quickly and evenly. We lined up four testers with varying hand sizes and strengths and asked them to pick up each empty pot, with and without mitts and towels, and provide feedback on the handles. Typically, the more expensive stockpots have full cladding that covers the bottom and sides of the pot, while less expensive models have cladding only on the bottom. That said, a fully clad pot is always preferable, but not if the cost is unreasonable and the need isn’t as pressing. While researching which models to test, we focused on stainless steel pots that are compatible with an induction burner, which provides more flexibility.
Do not store stockpots when they are still damp and always store them carefully in a dry cupboard area. Avoid stacking and overcrowding to prevent scratching and chipping of the enamel surface. This was especially noticeable when we had to lug it to the sink to strain chicken stock. But despite its heft, it had one of the thinnest bases in our lineup. Therefore, it brought stock to a boil relatively quickly, but we had to keep a keen eye on the onions when sautéing them to avoid scorching. Our winner excelled in comfort; it was light and maneuverable, with rubbery grips on both the pot and the lid.
It heated fairly quickly, thanks to its thinner 3/16-inch-thick bottom, though we did have to keep an eye on sautéed onions to make sure they didn’t scorch. Still, it was a trade-off we were happy to make, as this model’s minimal heft and comfortable U-shaped handles made it easy to carry and pour from. Eight-quart stockpots are easily available on the market, but the quality of the product varies.
We excluded stockpots made from aluminum, which reacts with acidic ingredients and can warp when used with high heat. We also ruled out pots made with enameled steel, which is used for sautéing and browning, or those with non-stick coatings that excel at cooking eggs, fish, and battered foods like pancakes. It shares the same build quality as the 12-quart version, which we also tested. Its shortcoming are minor, and, for the price, it’s the best we found.
The All-Clad has a solid build, but at 5 pounds is surprisingly light for a large, fully-clad pan. All-Clad is the renowned American manufacturer of fine cookware – really, the Cadillac of kitchenware. And this handsome mirror-polished 8-quart stockpot is from their Stainless Collection, one of All-Clad’s most popular lines. They’re great for cooking lobster and crab as well, and can serve as deep fryers, too.
And robust cast-iron handles easily bear the load of copper, to ensure that this artisanal piece will last for generations when properly tended to. This style with the cast iron handles is also available in a 9.6-quart capacity. This material distributes heat the best, and is the ultimate metal to prevent scorching – important when making thick soups, stews, goulash, and so on. Unless you have an unlimited budget and unlimited storage space, a cooking vessel in the 6- to 8-quart range needs to have greater flexibility, with a multipurpose nature. It should work equally well in the oven and on the range for making thick stews and casseroles, as well as thinner soups or stocks. Dishwasher safe, it comes with Demeyere’s 30-year warranty to be free of manufacturing and material defects.