The Atlantis 8.5-quart size measures approximately 9.5 x 8.75 x 7 inches and weighs 7 pounds. It’s also available in a 5.3-quart size with all of the same features as the 8.5-quart model. Therefore, it features the very thick cuisinart soup maker encapsulated bottom to effectively capture heat from the bottom of the pan, where it comes into contact with the range. This allows the energy to easily pass through the bottom and up into the liquids contained within.
Now let’s have a look at what components make for a good stockpot – what sizes to consider, materials used in construction, and features. And then I’ll offer a few recommendations to cover a range of budgets. The simple design and attention to finishing details are also appreciated, with the mirror finish and strong handles getting a few favorable mentions. Backed by Calphalon’s full lifetime warranty cuisinart pots and pans set to replace any piece found to be defective in either workmanship or materials, this product is made in China. The Calphalon tri-ply is compatible with all stovetops including induction, and it is also completely safe for use in the oven and under the broiler up to 450°F. With a beautiful polished exterior, it’s a suitable choice for going from the stovetop right to the table for service.
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. There are just too many complaints regarding the poor quality of the porcelain coating to be attributed to anything but the production process. The carbon steel makes for a great lightweight vessel that is easy to lift and maneuver.
This exposes the metal, which results in rust and corrosion in just a short time. Plus, the plastic handle on top of the pot stays cool to the touch, even after being on the hob for several hours. These are available in nearly every color offered in Le Creuset’s cast iron line with ten different options, so finding the perfect match for your kitchen should pose no challenge. Carbon steel also provides quick heating and retains the heat as well, for consistent results every time the pot is used. The handles stay cool and are up to the task of lifting a full load, as they’re well made and soundly welded to the walls. The lid is sturdy and makes a good seal with the pot to keep evaporation to a minimum, and it keeps contents in the pot, rather than dribbling down the sides.
Our budget pick, Cook N Home, didn’t manage the heat as evenly as the Cuisinart, but with some careful attention, you can still easily avoid burning the fond. Most of the pots achieved a boil in 49 to 50 minutes, indicating that whatever small differences there are in terms of a pot’s dimensions and build specs make little difference to its boiling performance. The only exception was All-Clad’s stockpot, which took just over one hour for the water to boil, so we disqualified it. How easily and securely you can grab a stockpot matters, especially when it’s filled with quarts of hot stock, soup, or sauce.
Fully clad, it’s superb at delivering quick and even heat distribution to all surfaces of the pot. This makes it an outstanding choice for a variety of cooking techniques, not just for heating liquids. Most importantly, All-Clad offers a limited lifetime warranty that covers manufacturing and material defects – and they actually pay for shipping if a pot needs to be returned due to manufacturing faults. Also, unlike the products offered by many of their competitors, All-Clad stockpots are dishwasher safe – though hand washing is recommended. If I were forced to have a more limited collection of cookware, these would take the number two and three spots, just behind a cast iron or carbon steel skillet.
Many cooks find that it’s easy to rinse or wipe away any residue in the pot. Although it’s dishwasher-safe, many people say they skip the dishwasher since it’s so easy to clean. The kitchens of France were the inspiration behind the elegant Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Stainless Cookware Collection and our 12-quart Stockpot with Cover is no exception. Boasting induction ready stainless steel construction with pure aluminum encapsulated in the base for fast and even heating, this is one smart stockpot.
Do not use steel wool or other metal pads that make coarse scratches. Scrub pan edges gently to clean if there is any discoloration or residue. Food residue or buildup on your cookware can easily be removed with a non-abrasive cleanser, or a little warm vinegar may be used. We recommend checking them occasionally and tightening knobs as needed.
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. You want it to be big enough to make stock and boil a large amount of water for pasta or blanching vegetables. But you don’t want it to be so big that it just collects dust and never gets used.