The 12-quart All-Clad is America’s Test Kitchen’s winning pot, and it is well built (as is the 16-quart version, which we also evaluated), but it took 10 minutes longer to bring water to a boil. Our cgwm-081 winning Cuisinart has a similar build quality, but boils water faster. How easily and securely you can grab a stockpot matters, especially when it’s filled with quarts of hot stock, soup, or sauce.
The RSVP International Endurance 8-Quart Stockpot ($45) was the tallest, narrowest, and lightest weight stockpot we tested. We liked the large loop handles, which were comfortable to hold, and the glass lid with a steam vent, which would make it easy to see when the water is boiling or keep and eye on your sauce. The lid is oven-safe only to 450°F, however, and the pot felt a little flimsier than the others we tested.
On the negative side of the ledger, the only common thread was from two separate reviewers who reported they had a small section of the coating peel off – but returned it for a hassle-free refund. However, across the board, M’Heritage cookware receives cuisinart soup maker very favorable citations from reviewers for its outstanding craftsmanship, superb thermal qualities, and sumptuous appearance. With only a few reviews on Amazon.com at this time, there isn’t a lot to report in terms of common comments.
Cuisinart® Chef’s Classic™ Nonstick Hard Anodized Cookware features durable hard anodized construction for fast and even heating. Stock Pot in White can be part of your kitchen equipment arsenal to face daily cooking challenges. Stock pots are go-to pieces when you have pasta or potatoes to boil, and soup or homemade stock to prepare. The Cuisinart Chef’s Classic line of cookware has been designed with durability, functionality, and beauty in mind. The rapid, even heating steel and enamel construction will work on any heat source, including induction.
The heavy duty tri-ply bottom consists of an impact bonded 4-millimeter core of pure aluminum, encased between two layers of 18/8 stainless steel for strength and superior heat distribution. These offer good conductivity with fast and even heat distribution across the bottom, they’re long-lasting and durable, cuisinart pots and pans set easy to clean and dishwasher safe, and they have a good weight distribution . Large stay-cool loop handles on the pot and lid are ergonomically designed to provide maximum comfort, even with large oven mitts. And all handles are solidly secured in place with stainless steel rivets for a safe and secure grasp.
The Le Creuset Enamel-on-Steel 8-Quart Stockpot with Lid ($95) is, like most other products from this iconic brand, a total looker. The color choices are fun and playful, but online reviewers warn that the coating chips over time and bemoan the fact that it isn’t dishwasher-safe. The tall, skinny shape took up little space on our stove, heated quickly, and featured a “stay cool” knob on the lid, but we preferred the stainless-steel models for durability. Even after controlling for capacity, the shape and height of the stockpots we tested varied greatly. Finding the perfect pot on the spectrum from short and wide to tall and narrow has a lot to do with personal preference, but there are some universal factors to consider. We found that the shorter and wider pots stacked more easily with the others we own, which made them easier to store after use.
Pans made from this material transfer well to the oven, clean easily, and are often relatively inexpensive. A few reviewers have reported small holes appearing in the bottom, rendering the pot useless. Others describe rust appearing in various locations, like the handles, lid, and inside the bottom. The Bayou Classic 24-quart stockpot measures approximately 15 x 14 x 14 inches and weighs 8 pounds. Bayou Classic cookware comes with a 30-day return policy if you’re not satisfied with the product.