No other piece of cookware is as essential to good cooking as the stockpot. The wide design of the stockpot maximizes the reduction of liquids, for more concentrated stocks and heartier, more flavorful soups and stews. Cuisinart®MultiClad Pro Stainless Cookware bonds 18/10 stainless steel to a core of pure aluminum for unsurpassed durability and performance. Cuisinart® MultiClad Pro Stainless Cookware bonds stainless steel to a core of pure aluminum for unsurpassed durability and performance. Cuisinart MultiClad Pro Stainless Cookware bonds stainless steel to a core of pure aluminum for unsurpassed durability and performance. No other piece of cookware is as essential to slow and easy cooking as our 6 Quart Stockpot.
The handles have to be comfortable, sturdy, and easy to grip—the last thing you want to feel is uncertainty as you move a large pot of scalding water off the cooktop or while draining through a strainer. For home use, stockpots come in a range of sizes, usually from 8 to 20 quarts (some commercial kitchens use massive 74-quart versions). For most home kitchen tasks, we think a 12-quart stockpot cgwm-081 is an ideal size and large enough for making big batches of stock or sauce. Going with a smaller stockpot, like one that’s eight-quarts, means the pot is very similar in volume to a six- or eight-quart Dutch oven. It pays to get a stockpot that’s bigger than your other pots, yet still fits inside a base cabinet, to cover the biggest cooking tasks while avoiding pot-size overlap.
We tested six highly rated stockpots—all with a capacity of eight quarts, which we think is the perfect size —to find the very best model on the market. Read on for the reasoning behind our top two picks, how we tested our stockpots, and the other models we considered. The “Comparable Item Price” represents an actual price in the marketplace of a comparable product. Also, I worry about smaller amounts of liquid burning in a wide pot, if the liquid barely covers the bottom. Versatile and durable, it provides a wide range of applications above and beyond just making broth and soup. However, there does seem to be an issue with quality control at the manufacturing plant in Thailand.
This style is the best for most consumers, at least in a smaller size. With an inner core of copper or aluminum to provide excellent conductivity, these offer fast and even heating, durability, and easy transfer to the oven. It features two layers of premium 18/10 stainless steel that encase a thick, aluminum core. And the three bonded layers extend all the way up the sides for superior, energy-efficient heat distribution and outstanding cooking performance. Along with this eight-quart stockpot comes a tempered glass lid and a small vent installed in it. This cookware also has strong handles that remain at a cool temperature constantly.
With these types of vessels, the interior aluminum core doesn’t extend up the sides, which does result in a loss of heat. This also means they’re not quite as efficient in the oven, since the comparatively thin stainless walls won’t retain quite as much heat . The Viking 3-ply clad design combines three layers of bonded metal to create a kettle that features both the durability of high-grade stainless steel, and the super conductivity of aluminum. This 8-quart pot measures approximately 14 x 12 x 7.5”, and weighs 7.8 pounds. Dishwasher safe, Calphalon recommends washing in warm, soapy water and using a stainless steel cleaner to retain the high luster of the stainless.
But, amortized over the course of a lifetime , it gives outstanding value in both performance and durability, and is well worth the cost. And you can usually find cuisinart soup maker competitive prices online at reliable sites like Amazon. Fully clad, it’s superb at delivering quick and even heat distribution to all surfaces of the pot.
And cleanup is easy with warm soapy water, plus the occasional touch of Bar Keepers Friend for stubborn bits. The interior has a starburst finish that improves its nonstick properties, and this translates into reduced cleaning time. But please note that this is not a true nonstick finish – it’s stainless steel with a patterned polish that helps to reduce sticking, but a nonstick coating has not been applied. The Cuisinart MultiClad Pro’s build is rock-solid, with riveted handles, a snug-fitting lid, and triple-ply stainless steel cladding from the base to the top of the pot’s wall. The wide, flat handles are very comfortable and leave plenty of space for oven mitt-covered hands. The thick base layer manages heat well, which means you’re less likely to burn your food.
This stockpot is composed of a 7-ply disk bottom, featuring induction-ready stainless steel inside and out. This can be broken down into different applications such as stirring, slow cooking, boiling, and frying, and each pot or pan they produce uses a construction method based on those tasks. A strong and sturdy pan, the handles prove to be solid and comfortable, and remain cool to the touch. The Update International 32-quart stockpot measures 17 x 15.75 x 13.6 inches, and weighs 12.6 pounds. It does not come with a manufacturer’s warranty, so be sure to make your online purchase through a reliable vendor such as Amazon that offers at least a 30-day, hassle-free return policy. As we’ve previously stated, it’s advisable to spend the cash on quality tri-ply or multi-ply for your smaller vessels.
Satisfied shoppers give the Le Creuset stockpot high grades for its sturdy functionality and bright, beautiful appearance. It also comes with Le Creuset’s 5-year limited warranty to be free of defects in materials and workmanship, granted you follow the care and use instructions provided. Check prices of all of the sizes and read customers reviews on Amazon now. Popular with brewers and cooks alike, these big boys are good for boiling large-capacity liquids like seafood boils, stock, corn on the cob, and beer.