A stockpot is a singular tool, essential and multi-purpose. Thus, you’ll want a sturdy, durable, long-lasting, and heat-efficient stock pot at home.
However, I’m sure you’ll agree that the ubiquity of stockpots makes it difficult to determine good quality products, let alone pots that are versatile enough for your cooking needs. Therefore, you’ll find the guide to the best stockpot quite helpful.
We’ve tested and reviewed 5 of the best stockpot for delicious food right at home. Besides, every chef in the making needs to start with a good stock, at least, in French culinary practice.
Here’s a quick look at our top five Stockpot 2020:
*Below, you’ll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
Factors to Consider Before Buying Best Stockpot
The best stockpot will always be the pot that will perfectly address your cooking style and kitchen needs. So, as you think about your personal cooking needs, consider several factors that you need to know.
Size & Capacity
How big a pot do you need and how much do you need it to hold? The question on size & capacity may be the most important factor for you to consider.
Are you looking for your first or go-to pot that will be of use for daily cooking? If so, then we suggest acquiring a 12-quart pot.
This pot size is the perfect size for regular cooking, making it remarkably versatile. In particular, a 12-Qt stock pot will be sufficient for general use, yet small enough for easy moving and storage.
If you already own a go-to stockpot or you’re cooking for a smaller number of people, then cookware within the range of six to eight quarts will be sufficient. Also, these will be ideal for making quick sauces, broths, and others, again especially for fewer people.
Obviously, bigger isn’t always better when it comes to stockpots. However, sometimes, cooks simply need to bring out the big guns. In this case, it’s the stock pots in the 30 to the 40-quart range.
Whether you’re preparing for a big family; boiling several lobsters, crabs, or corn; or making large quantities of broth, a big stockpot will be the one to get.
Material
Another important factor is the material that makes up your stockpot. Although stainless steel may dominate the market (as well as our top five list), you may also look into other materials, especially considering their inherent strengths and weaknesses.
Cast Iron
Cast-iron stock pots have slowly fallen into disuse primarily due to heft and weight, as well as the necessary upkeep that you would need to perform.
Like their pan equivalents, cast iron stock pots need thorough drying and seasoning. Without proper maintenance, cast iron will very quickly begin to corrode.
Nevertheless, cast iron has excellent heat retention. So, although it heats up slowly, cast iron also cools down slowly. Additionally, cast iron is ideal for cooking at high temperatures, whether it’s on a stove, on coals, firewood, or the oven.
Copper
In addition to looking strikingly beautiful, copper is a superb heat conductor. Its high conductivity means it will heat up immediately but evenly.
However, like cast iron, copper cookware is heavy, expensive, and requires extensive maintenance. Also, it may easily dent due to its high malleability. The biggest concern with copper is that it tends to react with food.
At best, it may impart an unpleasant chemical taste. At worst, though, the chemicals can be poisonous.
So, if you do plan to buy a copper stockpot, make sure you will thoroughly and regularly maintain it.
Aluminum
Another great heat conductor is aluminum. Unlike copper, it is remarkably light, affordable, and easy to handle.
Although it may still react to some food, these reactions are mostly with acidic food. Interestingly, anodized aluminum successfully addresses this concern, but you’ll have to shell out more cash to get such products.
Non-stick coated
The non-stick coating typically covers just the surface of a pot and does not usually make up the entire body. Hence, you’ll find non-stick coatings on pots of various makes, such as aluminum or stainless steel.
Stainless Steel
Sturdy, shiny, nonreactive, easy to clean, relatively light, and readily available, stainless steel seems to have it all. Stainless steel is the way to go.
There are a few drawbacks though. First, stainless steel has poor conductivity. Thus heats up markedly slower than the other cookware materials. Then, because of its weak conductivity, stainless steel pots are prone to scorching or hot spots.
Encapsulated / Clad
Both the terms “encapsulated” and “clad” refers to something that is covered or enveloped. In the culinary context, these terms refer to cookware that features at least two types of materials, one encapsulating another. Hence, the pot has several layers.
Usually, stainless steel, copper, or aluminum make up these layers, with the latter two favored as the inner layer. For instance, an encapsulated three-ply pot may have an aluminum core between two layers of stainless steel.
Ultimately, the additional layers of copper or aluminum drastically improve the conductivity of the pot, while the layers of stainless steel give it its inherent strengths.
Manufacturers typically apply these multiple layers to the bottom of pots. However, all-clad pots or those that have multiple layers all the way up to its sides are also available, albeit more expensive.
Design Features
After you’ve determined the size and material of the stockpot you need, it would be wise to inspect next to the important features or anatomy of the pot.
Thickness
Whichever material of stockpot you choose, its overall thickness is a feature to check. Go for thick or heavy gauge pots.
Although these pots may be heavier (and pricier), they will also be sturdier and will provide even heating as well as improved heat retention.
Rounded Rim
Have you ever tried to empty a pot of liquid but end up with boiling splatters everywhere? This issue is where the edge of the pot comes in. For a smooth cascade of water, or broth, or soup, make sure you get the stockpot with rounded rims.
Lid
The stock pots lid will also play a prominent role in the cooking process as it keeps the steam in. Typically, you’ll want a cover that has a vent, and that fits nicely to the rim of the pot.
Solid or glass lids will both do nicely. However, glass lids do give you the added benefit of seeing what you’re cooking.
Handles
Probably the most crucial part of a stock pot’s anatomy is its handles. This part is also the most common weak link in inferior products. Since the handles will carry much of the stress, we suggest buying the pot with handles that are bolted or riveted in.
Rivets are the sturdier option over handles that are either screwed or welded.
Additionally, you might also want handles that are poor heat conductors, or those that sport heat-resistant rubber linings.
Bottom
For even cooking, minimal scorching, and improved heat retention choose the stock pots with heavy bottoms. Heavy-bottomed stock pots will ensure that you won’t inadvertently burn parts of what you’re cooking, or leave undercooked other parts of it.
Additionally, a thick bottom, or an encapsulated one, will also prevent dents or warping.
The 7 Best Selling Stock Pots on Amazon
1. Farberware Classic Stainless Steel 6-Quart Stockpot Review
Finally, we have the Faberware Classic stainless steel stock pot which also features an aluminum encapsulated bottom. Then, you can easily maintain this stock pot’s mirror finish because it’s dishwasher-safe!
Due to its heat resistant handles, the Faberware Classic is also ideal for ovens up to 350°F.
Pros
- Classic finish
- The oven as well as dishwasher safe
- Top-notch conductivity and heat distribution
- Comfortable and secure handles
Cons
- Might be too small for some
- Screwed-on handles are not as sturdy as riveted ones
2. Cook N Home 20 Stainless Steel Saucepot Review
Next on our list is the Cook N Home NC-00335 Stockpot and is probably the Chef’s Classics strongest contenders.
At 20-quarts, the NC-00335 is a great mid-sized stockpot, especially if you alternate between cooking for several people or an average-sized family.
Similar to the Chef’s Classic, the NC-00335 features riveted handles, and an encapsulated bottom.
However, the pot from Cook N Home further improves this design with heat-resistant rubber covers on all the handles, including the one on the clear vented lid.
Pros
- Reinforced rims prevent deformation and also aids in pouring
- See-through vented lid with tempered glass
- Heats up rapidly with excellent heat distribution as well as retention
- Durable handles
Cons
- This pot is not oven-safe
3. T-fal Specialty Total Nonstick Dishwasher Safe Oven Safe Stockpot Review
At the perfect size for a go-to stockpot, the T-fal A92280 Specialty can be the star in your kitchen.
The heavy gauge aluminum construction with a superior non-stick coating gives this stockpot incredible conductivity, lightweight, as well as easy and healthy cooking.
Also present in the T-fal is a tight-fitting vented glass lid that lets you see what you’re cooking. Additionally, the lid comes complete with a heat-safe handle, which matches nicely with the bolted handles to the side.
Pros
- The handles are comfortable and also heat resistant
- Clear vented lid
- Heats up quickly as well as evenly
- The non-stick coating improves cooking
- Lightweight
Cons
- Does not have a heavy bottom
- Some may find the pot too tall for its size
4. Cuisinart Chef’s Classic 8-Quart Stockpot Review
Cuisinart’s Chef’s Classic Stockpot is indeed an appropriate term for this classy pot. This stockpot quickly earns our top marks as it exhibits all the features and elements that make up high-quality cookware.
With its mirror finish, the Chef’s Classic is fantastic to gaze upon, and you can easily keep it that way because the pot is dishwasher safe. However, the brilliant finish is not without substance.
This stockpot will handle the stove as well as the oven up to 500 °F and yet, it is also freezer-safe so you can store food.
You’ll also be free of scalding drips because of the Chef’s Classics rounded rims and sturdy riveted handles.
You’ll also quickly notice this pot’s thick bottom. In that bottom cap, you’ll find aluminum encapsulated by stainless steel. Consequently, you’ll get quick and even heat with the Chef’s Classic.
Pros
- Quickly and evenly heats up with minimal hot spots
- Brilliant finish as well as a sturdy frame
- Robust riveted handles and also a tight-fitting lid
Cons
- Handles tend to get hot over time.
- 8-quarts may be too small for some.
5. Bayou Classic 1044 44-Quart Stainless-Steel Stockpot Review
If you’re cooking for a crowd, then the 44-quart Bayou Classic 1044 will be your best bet. This 19-inch tall stockpot will cook those large batches while staying sturdy with its 20-gauge stainless steel construction.
Also, the Bayou Classic’s tall stature will ensure flavorful broths and stocks.
You’ll also notice its riveted handles, which is essential to a pot of this size and weight.
Pros
- Sturdy handles that stay cool for long periods of time
- Large cooking capacity
- The shape reduces spillage and water loss.
- Heavy-gauge construction
Cons
- Single-layer bottom
- Hefty as well as heavy
Conclusion
On choosing our top stockpot, the T-fal A92280 and the Cuisinart Chef’s Classic has us torn. Although, you can’t go wrong with any of these two. If you prefer a non-stick pot, then the T-fal will be for you.
However, if you’d like a smaller but heavy-bottomed pot, then go for the Cuisinart Chef’s Classic.
Naturally, the large Bayou Classic will be your go-to if you need to prepare for a large group of people.
Laura Smith
I'm Laura, I like all the kind of delicious grilled foods which makes me hungry all the time I see them. That's why I built this blog to share with you all of my Grilling experiences, recipes, and all the tips about foods that I've learned from food experts.