Stockpots are one of the most common kitchen cooking items in the world. Usually large and deep, they are traditionally used to make stocks and broths but you can also use them to make soups, stews, and chili among, other things. Ideal for home cooks and budding chefs, these large pots are great for big bulk meals and are commonly made from aluminum or stainless steel.
As there are so many different pots, it can be difficult to know which one is suitable. Which one best suits your needs and meets your expectations?
View The Best Stockpots Below
1. Cook N Home Stainless Steel Lid Stockpot
This is the best stockpot on this list. Made from mirror-polished 18 10 stainless steel, this pot is of top quality, easy to clean, and it’s aesthetically pleasing. Layered with an aluminum disc at the bottom, it has an even heat distribution, preventing hot spots, thus minimizing burning. The glass lid means it’s easy to look inside without lifting it off. It includes a vent to allow steam to escape.
The silicon covered handles mean that they are easy and pleasant to hold, staying cool while the pan heats up. They’re also riveted, meaning it’s more durable than alternatives. The stainless steel stockpot is also induction compatible, as well as gas, electric, glass, and ceramic compatible, and it’s dishwasher safe.
Pros:
+ Easily cleaned
+ Top quality – 18 10 stainless steel
+ Durable
+ Even heating
Why We Like It – This steel stockpot is suitable for most consumers and their appliances. With silicon handles to help minimize the chance of burning, this one also has an aluminum base to help minimize the spot-burning of food.
2. HOMICHEF Commercial Grade Stockpot
This is the most premium quality of the pots on this list. The mirror-polished stainless steel pot has a thick 7mm base, with a 3-ply construction. There’s a single layer of straight aluminum core between two layers of stainless steel, ensuring prime thermal transmission. The tightly fitting tempered glass lid has a steam vent, circulating heat and moisture.
The stainless steel stockpot is nickel-free, making it non-toxic, non-allergic and more energy saving. Elegantly engineered by HOMICHEF’s manufacturing facilities, the stockpot guarantees top quality, and it’s compatible with induction, gas, ceramic, glass and halogen stovetops. It’s also dishwasher safe and you can use it in the oven.
Pros:
+ Compatible with multiple stoves
+ Made with nickel-free stainless steel
+ Energy saving
+ Devoted customer service
Why We Like It – The HOMICHEF Commercial Grade Stock Pot is exactly what it says on the packet. It’s a commercial-grade stockpot that takes into account your health with the metal used to create it. Also, the tight-fitting lid keeps moisture in, which makes for the best food and stock.
3. T-fal Speciality Non-Stick Stockpot
As a great value 12-quart stockpot, this is perfect for cooking the best family meals. With its non-stick interior and exterior, this pot is easy to cook with and clean. It also means that recipes can be cooked using minimal oil and fat, resulting in more healthy meals. The base gives uniform heating without hotspots, meaning food is cooked evenly.
The lid, which is made of glass, allows you to watch how your cooking progresses. Steam can escape through the vent hole in this stock pot, which prevents water from boiling over. It has sturdy, riveted, comfortable handles and is compatible with gas and electric hobs, as well as the dishwasher and oven up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pros:
+ 12-quart stockpot
+ Easy to cook with and clean
+ Vent hole in the lid
+ Dishwasher and oven safe
Why We Like It – If you want to cook large portions or one-pot meals, then this is the best 12-quart stockpot for you. Nicely made and easily cleaned, whether by hand or in the dishwasher, this stainless steel pot is highly recommended by users of Amazon who have rated it 4.8/5 stars.
4. Farberware Classic Stockpot
This stockpot comes with a lid that is specifically designed for the pot. It locks in heat and moisture, which is essential for tasty cooking. A full cap base on the stockpot shows a thick aluminum core, allowing for rapid, even cooking. With that classic touch, the pot is made of strong stainless steel, polished to a mirror finish. The pot is safe in the oven up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, with iconic handles that make it easy to grip when putting a heavy, full pot in or out of the oven safely.
Pros:
+ Dishwasher and oven safe
+ Full cap base
+ Lifetime warranty
Why We Like It – A quality stockpot is ideal for hearty meals for large families. This the perfect soup pot, mac-and-cheese or even large chili pan. This pot heats evenly and stays hot for an extended period after taking it off the heat.
5. Circulon Radiance Non-Stick Stockpot
Circulon Radiance has combined durability with superior non-stick technology to give you the best modern stock pots. It’s dishwasher safe for your convenience and ease. The TOTAL non-stick system lasts ten times longer than normal non-stick technologies and is metal utensil safe. The heavy-duty, fast and efficient stockpot can be used in the oven up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. With strong, dual-riveted stainless-steel handles and shatterproof lid, this stock pot is built to last.
Pros:
+ Superior non-stick technology
+ Dishwasher and oven safe
+ Lifetime guarantee
Why We Like It – This deep pot is very versatile and can be used in many different types of cooking. Not only is it the best quality in terms of its non-stick technology, but it also has shatterproof glass, both of which provide ease of use for the consumer.
6. Tramontina Covered Stockpot
This 18/8 stainless steel, 12-quart stockpot has a tri-ply base, providing quick and even heat distribution for the best cooking. This sturdy stockpot comes with a stainless-steel lid and riveted cast stainless steel handles, and is finished with mirror polished accents. Compatible with all cooktops, including induction, this 12-quart stockpot is also dishwasher safe to provide ease of cleaning.
Pros:
+ NSF certified
+ Compatible on all cooktops
+ High-quality stainless steel
+ Sturdy and good heat distribution
+ 12-quart stockpot
Why We Like It – This stainless steel stockpot is simple, yet effective. The large, 12-quart stockpot cooks food evenly and is easy to clean by hand, or even in the dishwasher! The thick bottom gives one of the best heat distributions. It’s large enough to hold a family-size portion.
7. Gotham Steel Stockpot
This award-winning stockpot has a Ti-Ceramic, non-stick coating that ensures the best cooking experience, with no need for oil or butter as everything slides directly off the pan. This durable, scratchproof pot is very lightweight and has ‘stay-cool’ handles which are cold to the touch, ensuring a comfortable cooking experience. Including a tempered lid, the pot is safe in the oven up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s suitable for all stovetops, except induction, and it’s toxin-free.
Pros:
+ Oven and dishwasher safe to a high heat
+ Lightweight
+ Toxin-free
+ No oil or butter needed – healthier cooking
Why We Like It – Compared to other stockpots, this pan is much easier to clean than others with a non-stick coating, whether by hand or in the dishwasher. It’s heavy enough not to warp but lightweight enough for ease of use.
8. Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Non-Stick Stockpot
This 6-Quart hard-adonized stockpot makes it resistant to erosion. It has a durable non-stick coating of Quantanium and, like the above model, has riveted, ‘stay-cool’ handles, making it easy for you to carry. With a drip-free pouring rim, this pot also comes with a break-resistant tempered lid, which allows you to monitor your cooking.
You can use it in the oven up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, but it can’t be used in the dishwasher, as it’s hand wash only. With a lifetime warranty, this stockpot is built to meet North American Electrical Standards.
Pros:
+ Erosion resistant
+ Oven safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit
+ Lifetime warranty
+ Highly rated by Amazon customers, with 4.5/5 stars
Why We Like It – This sturdy stock pot is a go-to for value and quality. It’s easily cleaned, with a strong, non-stick coating and a base that heats evenly. The pot is perfect for family cooking, whether that’s stock or stew.
9. Sky Light No-Stick Cooking Pot
With a thick aluminum body, this pot ensures rapid heating, and, with three layers of non-stick Whitford coating, it ensures a top-quality, non-stick performance. The exclusive design includes a silicone water filter cover. The edge of the lid has two drain gaps on either side to easily drain water.
The cover is made of silica glass, which makes peering inside the stock pot easy. It also has unmatched chemical stability at high temperatures. As it’s compatible with all heating equipment, including induction hobs and gas, glass, electric and pottery stoves, this stock pot is the ideal choice for every kitchen.
Pros:
+ Non-toxic, without PTFE, APEO and POFA, as well as NMP and NEP
+ Dishwasher safe
+ Riveted handle and body, which is easy to grasp
+ One year warranty
Why We Like It – Made of high-quality cast aluminum, this stock pot has been produced carefully to ensure no risk of exposure to chemicals. The pot is easily suitable for a range of uses such as frying, stewing and making stock. And with the non-stick coating, you can use less oil, making your meals healthier!
10. Rachel Ray Brights Non-Stick Stockpot
This durable PFOA–free, non-stick stock pot is manufactured from fast and even heating aluminum. It’s safe in the oven up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. The non-stick feature makes it easier to clear food from the pan, but it’s not dishwasher safe. As a 6-Quart stockpot, this one is large enough for family meals and has comfortable grip handles which are double riveted for extra strength. This also comes with a shatterproof lid made of glass that keeps heat and flavor inside.
Pros:
+ Lifetime warranty
+ Attractive, two-tone exterior
+ Oven safe
Why We Like It – The stockpot’s handles and lid both stay cool for long periods, making it safer than other alternatives. The aesthetically pleasing pot is also the perfect size for family meals, such as soup, stock, and stew, The lightweight nature of it also makes it easy to use.
Stockpot Buyer’s Guide
What is the top stockpot?
The best stock pot is different for every customer; one could fit a customer’s needs perfectly and the other not so well. It could all depend on the design of each pot. Stock pots generally come in two designs; tall and thin, and wide and short. If you want a stock pot purely because you want a pan large enough for big meals, then a wider one will be better suited to you.
For instance, if you want to make vast amounts of sauces, chilis, or maybe soups, then taller stock pots make it harder to mix and stir. As well as this, one that’s thick based would be ideal, as it helps minimize burning.
What metal is better?
Aluminum stock pots are known best for conducting heat, but that’s about it. They react negatively with acidic liquids which results in not only pot discoloration, but the food flavors could be off. The metal is also soft, and so it’s unlikely to last a long time.
On the other hand stainless steel stock pots have poor heat conductivity. However, a lot of pots have aluminum sandwiched in between stainless steel, giving you the best qualities of the aluminum on the inside, and the non-reactive metal on the outside.
Good features to look for
Using a stockpot can take a long time, and it’s often not long until the handles are too hot to touch. Cool resistant handles are useful in this circumstance, as they make it easier to move and carry the heavy stockpot around. Always wear oven mitts when removing stockpots from ovens, as cool resistance and cool proof certainly do not mean the same thing. It’s also best to look for riveted handles, as these are more secure.
Having a vented lid is also ideal, as it means you can see your food as you cook without taking the lid off and losing some of the heat from the pot. This maintains moisture while cooking, giving you more flavorsome food. The vent also means that pressure won’t build-up and the pan won’t overheat.
A non-stick pan is also ideal as it’s easy to use and clean, and it keeps food from sticking. This feature is ideal for health-conscious cooks, as they can use a lot less oil than usual. It’s important, however, to make sure these pots are toxin-free.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, a stockpot is a piece of essential equipment, but it’s what you plan to use it for that affects which one is best for you. Pick a pot that will do what you want it to. Stockpots can take up a lot of space, so think about what you will use it for; is it just for stocks and broths? Or is it for multiple uses?
We hope this buyer’s guide has been useful to you and has answered some of your questions about pots.
