The exterior of this eight-quart stockpot is polished and has a shiny appearance. Add a little high-quality flair to your kitchen equipment with this perfectly-sized Le Creuset cuisinart pots and pans set Enameled Stockpot. This heavy-gauge carbon steel stockpot with an enamel finish comes in a variety of different colors to match every chef’s personality and taste.
A few multi-ply models, such as All-Clad’s D5 line, contain extra layers of steel rather than copper, in order to maximize performance on induction. However, many of these extra layers are too thin to make much of a difference, and most of the core material is still composed of aluminum. Although aluminum is a much, much better conductor of heat than steel or iron, copper and silver are better still. Cookware of this size can vary in weight, depending on the dimensions of the pot and the materials used. Look for one you can handle comfortably, with a nice balance and a slightly heavier bottom for stability.
The pot is coated with a nonstick finish that is consistently praised by users for its outstanding resistance to messy, sticky, burned-on messes. 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 thick base on this stainless steel stockpot heats evenly, reduces hot spots, and ensures the pot won’t warp. There’s nothing worse than a pot or pan that wobbles and sloshes because the flimsy base has become misshapen.
I prefer a stainless steel lid for durability, but tempered glass lids will allow you to monitor food while cooking. The Cooks Standard stockpot has an aluminum core surrounded by stainless steel for the base. This makes heat distribution along the bottom of the pot very even and it’s also induction compatible. The sidewalls are sturdy, single-layer stainless steel, and have a nice flared rim for mess-free pouring.
Another lovely piece of eye candy for the kitchen, this stockpot is more than just a pretty pan. Made in France, it comes with deBuyer’s lifetime warranty to be free of material and manufacturing defects. This Prima Matera stewpan can be washed with warm, soapy water to clean the interior and exterior, and the copper should be maintained with a polishing paste. And with stainless, the interior will never have to be re-tinned due to wear and tear. The combined copper and stainless measures 2 millimeters thick, and has a high-gloss finish with head-turning visual appeal.
This Cook N Home eight quart stockpot is compatible with various gas and electric powered stovetops and has a good heat-resisting ability. When it comes to stainless the brand is less important than how it’s constructed. Sometimes higher end pans have 5 or 7 layers or even more, but I’m unconvinced you need more than three based on all the tests I’ve seen. Our test field included both fully clad pots, like the All-Clad and our winning Cuisinart, as well as pots that have cladding only on the bottom. Full cladding adds weight and cost, but helps manage heat better and reduces the risk of scorching, especially in the corners where the pot wall meets the base. Lids are either tempered glass or stainless steel, and while we didn’t find the material of the lids to affect performance, we generally prefer metal lids since glass can break.
The Mauviel 9-quart stewpan measures approximately 11 x 11 x 5.5” and weighs 9 pounds. It is also available in three other sizeswith all of the same features as the larger model. Known for its high-end copper cookware, Mauviel has been handcrafting kitchenwares since the 1830s in the same small village in France. Besides the All-Clad and the Calphalon options reviewed above, there are several other quality pans that we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend. This means they have layers of other metals that are added to further increase the ability of the pan to spread heat throughout the vessel – across the bottom and up the sides. If you really want to go high end instead, then copper is also an option.