If you love cooking hearty casseroles or stews, delicious winter soups packed full of meat and vegetables or just need a large pot to boil a few lobsters, you need a stock pot. One of the most basic items in a cookware set, a stock pot is a versatile pot that is just right for cooking for a large family or a horde of hungry guests at your next dinner party.
A stock pot is tall and narrow and has a large capacity to hold a lot of meat, vegetables, and liquid or any other type of food you can think of, so you can use it for a number of different cooking tasks or stock pot-related recipes. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Stock reductions for soup
- Chicken, minestrone or pumpkin soup
- Braising meat or cooking up a hot chili
- Simmering a casserole or stew
- Spaghetti sauce
- Boiling lobsters
- Boiling pasta
- Making corn on the cob
- Canning fruit or making jam
Our Top Pick for the Best Stock Pot
Our top pick for the best stock pot is the T-fal A92280 Speciality 12-quart Stock Pot. With a superior non-stick ability and an excellent heating performance, the T-fal 12-quart stock pot is a must-have pot for any cooking enthusiast and it comes at a very affordable price. Its heavy-gauge aluminum construction guarantees its longevity and its stylish black exterior makes this superb stock pot a showpiece that you will be proud to display to family and friends. T-fal has designed this stock pot with everything you need to cook up delicious one pot meals, like a sturdy tightly fitting lid and securely riveted silicone handles that will protect your hands, and for extra peace of mind, the stock pot is covered by a limited lifetime warranty.
How to Choose the Best Stockpot
Size
A stock pot is measured by quarts or liters which refer to its interior capacity and most stock pots for the home-based kitchen range in size from 3, 8, 10, 11, 12 or 20-quarts, but there are some stock pots that can be as large as 24-quarts or even bigger, which are designed for commercial use.
If you are preparing food for one or two people, a 3 or 8-quart pot is a great choice and a 10, 11 or 12-quart stock pot is ideal for a family of four. If you need to prepare large amounts of food for an extra large family or guests, a 20-quart pot will be perfect.
Construction
A stock pot’s construction is very important as it will determine how fast the pot can heat up, whether the heat is evenly distributed across the bottom of the pot’s surface and up the sides, and will ultimately determine its overall cooking performance.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is a top quality material for any type of cookware. It is strong and durable and long lasting, and, depending on the manufacturer, the stainless steel may have a highly polished mirror finish or a brushed exterior. Stainless steel is not the best conductor of heat for a large pot, so a stock pot manufacturer may include either an aluminium disk that is integrated into the bottom of the pot like the Cooks Standard Classic Stock Pot or the pot may have a thick aluminum base like Farberware Classic Series Stock Pot, or even a multi-layered aluminum core like the Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Stock Pot. The aluminum base or integrated aluminum triple core not only provides excellent heat retention and conductibility, the added aluminum will also make the stock pot suitable for induction stovetops.
Aluminum
Aluminum is an excellent heating conductor so it is a great choice of material for a stock pot. It is cheaper to manufacture than stainless-steel and it allows the stock pot to heat up and cool down quickly. It is also a lightweight material which is just perfect for a stock pot especially when the pot is full of heavy ingredients.
The downside of using aluminum is that the material can react to certain acidic foods, but if the aluminum is anodized, like the Rachael Ray Black Anodized Stock Pot, this can minimize this problem from occurring and can also stop the surface from becoming discolored by some foods. Also, if a pot is made out of aluminum, or even stainless steel, the stock pot can develop pits when it is used a lot. Some manufacturers like T-fal use heavy-gauge aluminum that is very strong and durable and less likely to develop pits in the material and it also has a superior level of heat conductivity.
Neoflam uses cast aluminum which has the strength of cast-iron but it is 30% lighter, so it is another top choice for a stock pot.
Non-Stick Surface
One of the most frustrating aspects of cooking is when food gets stuck to the bottom of the pan’s surface and can burn and make washing up a nightmare. The super stylish stainless steel has a medium level non-stick ability, depending on the types of food you cook, but aluminum offers a very good non-stick ability.
Some manufacturers are raising the bar in relation to non-stick materials like Neoflam who have designed an innovative material, Ecolon™ which is a 5-layered ceramic non-stick coating that is made from all natural materials and it has a superior non-stick ability.
Whether you prefer stainless-steel or aluminum or you would like to invest in a new non-stick material like Ecolon™ you can reduce the amount of baked on food by taking some simple steps before and after cooking.
Handles
Strong and sturdy handles will make all the difference to your stock pot cooking experience. A stock pot can get very heavy so make sure that the handles are securely riveted or it has dual rivets or heavy-duty screws, which will ensure that the handles stay attached and allow you to safely lift and carry the pot.
While some handles are tagged as “cool-touch” handles like the Cuisinart stock pot or the Farberware stock pot, other manufacturers like Cook N Home have designed their stainless steel handles with an extra rubber sleeve. T-fal makes their handles from soft touch silicone, and the Rachael Ray stock pot has silicone-over-stainless-steel handles for extra protection.
Although the Neoflam stock pot does not have heating protection, its handles have a soft-touch grip which makes the handles more comfortable to use. Even though most manufacturers designed their handles with some kind of heating protective material, it is still advisable that you do use oven mitts or a pot holder while you are cooking.
Lid
The lid is very important as it seals in the heat, moisture, nutrients, and flavors of your food, which will enhance the final taste and texture difference of your food. The lid might be transparent and made out of tempered glass or it could be made out of stainless steel that does not allow you to monitor the progress of your culinary creation. Some stock pots, like the T-fal and Neoflam, have a vented hole that allows steam to be released to stop the liquid from boiling over the sides of the pot. The most important thing to look for in a lid is that it fits tightly onto the stock pot.
Best Stock Pot Reviews
1. Cook N Home NC-00335 Stainless Steel 20-quart Canning Pot/Stock Pot
Built to last from sturdy stainless steel the Cook N Home NC-00335 Stainless Steel Stockpot is the perfect addition to your kitchen cookware. From tasty chicken stock to a hearty casserole, the Cook N Home Canning 20-quart stock pot has a large capacity to hold 7 regular size canning jars or 8-pint jars easily and it is made from highly polished 18/10-gauge stainless steel.
As well as a large capacity for all sorts of ingredients, the pot features a strongly tempered glass lid that allows you to check on your bubbling one-pot wonder and the handle is riveted to the lid for extra strength.
The two strong riveted handles on the sides of the pot have black tipped rubber sleeves to protect your hands from high temperatures and the reinforced rim of the pot prevents any body deformation during long-term use, so you can expect a very good level of durability from this well-constructed piece of cookware.
You will enjoy excellent cooking results as the aluminum core helps the heat to be evenly distributed and it is also magnetic which makes this pot suitable for use on an induction stovetop.
The stockpot is dishwasher-safe and it is covered by a 1-year warranty.
Cook N Home also make a 5, 8, and 12-quart stock pot.
Pros
- High-quality stock pot
- Great value for money
- Large 20-quart capacity
- Made from fine quality 18/10-gauge stainless-steel
- Very good heating conductibility
- Built to last
- Solid and sturdy pot
- Strong riveted stainless steel handles with rubber sleeve for heat protection
- Strong lid with large handle and rubber sleeve
- Reinforced rim prevent pot body deformation for long time use
- Can be used on an induction stove
- Dishwasher safe
- Good range of sizes
Cons
- Not for oven use
- Not ideal for very high heat
- Can get hot spots
- Material on the bottom of pot is not very thick
- Takes a while to heat up.
- Handles can still get hot
2. T-fal A92280 Speciality 12-quart Black Aluminum Stockpot
T-fal is well-known for their high-quality cookware that is both functional and beautiful and their Speciality Black Aluminum Stock pot will add a touch of sophistication to your kitchen as well as being a sturdy pot with excellent heat conductibility. The stock pot has a 12-quart capacity which is just right for family size meals and it is constructed from extra strong, long lasting heavy-gauge aluminum that rivals stainless steel and it provides a superior level of heat conductivity which means all of your food is cooked to perfection. As the aluminum is lightweight, the stock pot is easy to lift and maneuver when it is filled with food and liquid and the exterior is coated with a black coating that will make the stock pot a standard feature in your kitchen.
The stock pot has a superior non-stick interior so you do not have to worry about the food sticking to the bottom of the pot, which makes food release quick and easy and washing up a breeze.
The see-through lid allows you to monitor the progress of your food without having to constantly remove the lid and the vented hole lets steam safely escape so that the stock pot does not boil over. All of the handles are sturdy and strong and are securely riveted to the pot and are made from soft touch silicone to protect your hands from the heat.
For easy cleaning, the stock pot can go into the dishwasher and it is oven safe up to 350° F. T-fal offer a very generous limited lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Ideal for a family of four
- Great price
- Made from heavy-gauge aluminum
- High-quality non-stick interior
- Superior level of heating conductibility
- Durable and attractive black non-stick exterior
- Strong and sturdy handles
- Soft touch silicone handles for heating protection
- Oven safe up to 350° F
- Dishwasher-safe
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Cannot use metal utensils
- Stock pot is very tall
3. Farberware Classic Series 11-Quart Stainless-steel Stock Pot
Farberware is an all-American cookware brand that is famous for delivering high-quality products for more than 100 years so you can rely on this superb stock pot to create a whole host of delicious meals. Whether it is preparing a hearty stew or seafood hot pot, or even a few lobsters, the Farberware Classic Series 11-quart Stock Pot will reward you with unsurpassed performance and it comes at an excellent price.
The stock pot’s core body is made from strong 18/10 stainless steel and it has an extra thick aluminum base that helps to spread the heat fast and evenly so that your food will be cooked thoroughly without any hotspots. It will look stunning in your kitchen as its long lasting stainless steel exterior has been polished to a high mirror finish.
The sturdy close fitting self-basting glass lid traps the heat and flavors inside while allowing you to keep an eye on what is cooking inside the pot. There is plenty of room inside the stock pot for all sorts of meals, and the thick rolled rim makes it easy to pour the contents into serving bowls. The handles on the pot and lid are designed to stay cool to protect your hands from getting burnt.
A versatile piece of cookware, the Farberware stock pot can be put in the oven up to 350-degrees and you can use it on all types of stoves even induction-ready stoves and it is dishwasher-safe for fast and easy cleaning. Farberware offers a lifetime manufacturer warranty.
Pros
- Exceptional quality
- Excellent price
- Stunningly beautiful highly polished stainless steel exterior
- Thick, aluminum core for fast, even heating
- Superior level of heating conductibility
- Close fitting lid creates a self-basting feature
- Strong and sturdy stainless steel stay-cool handles
- Dishwasher safe and oven-safe to 350°F
- Compatible with all stoves even induction
- Lifetime limited warranty
Pros
- The handle/knob on the lid is very small
- Metal is a little thin on the sides
4. Cuisinart 766-26 Chef’s Classic 12-Quart Stock Pot
With a dedication to creating a range of cookware that offers you unlimited convenience, a high cooking performance, versatility and durability, Cuisinart brings you their superb Chef’s Classic 12-quart Stock Pot, which is the perfect choice for cooking casseroles, stews, soup and so many other recipes.
The Cuisinart stock pot will take your breath away with its beautiful 18/10-gauge stainless-steel exterior that has a classic mirror finish which will make you feel like you are cooking in a professional kitchen. The stylish exterior is guaranteed to maintain its brilliant shine and the superior cooking surface will not discolor or react with food and it is very easy to clean.
As well as its stunning appearance, the Cuisinart stock pot has an excellent heat distribution performance to match and it can heat up water fast. The pure aluminum encapsulated base has three layers, stainless-steel, an aluminum core, and another layer of stainless-steel, which allows the heat to spread evenly so that any hot spots are eliminated. For top quality flavorsome meals, the flavor lock lid fits tightly to seal in all the flavor and nutrients of the ingredients.
Cuisinart also has your safety in mind and the two cast stainless steel “cool grip” stick handles are riveted and contoured for a strong and secure grip, and the tapered rim of the pot allows for easy and drip-free pouring.
A versatile stock pot, you can use it on the stovetop or in the oven as it is oven safe to 500°F and it can even be used in the broiler. If you need to keep any leftovers, the stock pot is also freezer-safe. For easy cleaning, it can go straight into the dishwasher.
If by chance, your stock pot does not conform to expectations, do not hesitate to contact Cuisinart as they offer a lifetime warranty. To maintain the attractive stainless-steel finish, do not use steel wool or pads to clean baked on food and make sure that you soak the pot first before cleaning it.
Cuisinart also offers other sizes: 6, 8 and 10-quart stock pots.
Pros
- Excellent value for money
- Stunning stainless-steel finish
- Pure aluminum solid tri-ply encapsulated base
- Unsurpassed heating distribution
- Heats water fast
- Superior cooking performance
- Two cast stainless steel cool grip stick handles
- Tightly fitting flavor-lock lid
- Tapered rim of the pot allows for easy and drip-free pouring
- Oven safe to 500°F
- Can be used in the broiler
- Freezer-safe
- Dishwasher safe
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Using steel pads can cause the surface to rust
- Handles do not have silicone sleeves
- No non-stick surface
5. Cooks Standard Classic 02520 12-quart Stainless Steel Stock Pot
A solid and heavy-duty pot, the Cooks Standard Classic 12-quart stock pot is ready to cook all types of meals and it comes at an affordable price. Cooks Standard have designed a high-quality stock pot that is made from strong stainless steel that shines with a brilliance which makes it an attractive addition to your cookware. As well as looking stylish, the stock pot delivers a top quality cooking performance due to its thick bottom layer and the aluminum disc that is placed in the bottom provides even heat distribution and prevents any hot spots. So whatever you want to prepare, a hearty soup or casserole, or a spicy jambalaya, the stock pot is your number one go-to-pot for professional style meals.
To seal in the heat and flavor, the stainless steel lid is tight fitting and the stainless-steel handles are securely attached to the pot with 2 rivets for extra durability.
The Cooks Standard stock pot offers you a lot of cooking versatility as you can use the pot with gas, electric, ceramic, glass and induction stoves, and it is oven safe to 500°F and also dishwasher safe. Cooks Standard offer a 10-year warranty if you have any problems with the stock pot.
Pros
- Outstanding quality
- Affordable price
- Highly polished strong stainless-steel
- The bottom of the stock pot is made from thick material
- Top-quality cooking performance
- Aluminum disc provides even heating and prevents hot spots
- Securely riveted large-sized handles
- Tightly fitting lid
- Versatile: Compatible with induction stoves
- Oven safe to 500°F
- Dishwasher safe
- 10-year warranty
Cons
- Lid is not transparent
- Interior is not non-stick
- Handle has no heating protection
6. Neoflam Retro 5-qt Covered Cast Aluminum Stock Pot
If you love the retro look why not invest in the award-winning Neoflam Retro 5-quart Stock Pot. Neoflam has designed a unique stock pot that is not only beautiful but delivers an excellent cooking performance.
The stock pot is constructed from thick-gauge cast aluminum that is strong and durable like traditional cast-iron but it is 30% lighter, so as well as being built to last and to withstand heavy-duty use, the stock pot is lightweight and easy to carry. The stock pot will add a special touch of classic vintage feel to your kitchen and the pastel colored exterior will be a source of cookware envy among your family and friends.
One of the highlights of this cool-looking stock pot is the specially designed Ecolon™ ceramic non-stick coating. Ecolon™ is made from all natural materials and this unique coating has five layers that include a ceramic top coating, a ceramic base coating, a layer of aluminum, another ceramic base coating, plus another ceramic top coating. This smart technology gives the stock pot a superior non-stick ability and a high scratch resistance. The Ecolon™ coating is safe to use as it is 100% free of PTFE and PFOA’s and it is very easy to keep clean.
This amazing stock pot is a joy to work with as it has an extremely high heat conductivity that not only makes sure that your food is cooked properly but it reduces energy consumption while you cook and it heats up fast!
To seal in the flavors and heat, the pot has a tightly fitting lid that is made out of cast aluminum with a pastel mint color finish and the steam vent releases any pressure and stops the pot from boiling over. The integrated handles are strong and sturdy and the soft-touch grip handle is attached securely to the lid.
The stockpot is dishwasher safe and is induction-compatible, and it is covered by a limited lifetime warranty. Neoflam also offers a stock pot in a gray color.
Pros
- Beautiful vintage design
- Great value for money
- Attractive pastel mint color
- Strong and durable thick-gauge cast aluminum
- All natural Ecolon™ layered ceramic non-stick coating.
- Excellent non-stick ability
- High heat conductivity
- Very good scratch resistance
- Easy to clean
- Dishwasher-safe
- Induction-compatible
- Tightly fitting lid
- Soft-touch grip handle on the lid
- Sturdy integrated handles
- Available in mint and gray
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Surface can be scratched by metal utensils
- Not ideal for cooking large meals
- Handles are not heat resistant
7. Rachael Ray Hard Anodized II Orange 10-Quart Stock Pot
This super stylish stock pot from the famous cooking extraordinaire Rachael Ray is destined to be a standout feature in your kitchen and it delivers a 5-star cooking experience. Whatever type of one-pot meals you want to cook, whether it is a mouth-watering Lobster Mornay, corn chowder, or tasty casserole, the Rachael Ray 10-quart stock pot has the capacity to hold enough food for up to 6 people.
As well as being an attractive piece of cookware for your kitchen, the good-looking 10-quart stock pot is made out of durable hard-anodized dark gray aluminum and it can be relied upon to provide a fast and even heating performance and will reduce any hot spots during the cooking process.
For excellent nonstick cooking, the stock pot has an attractive espresso-colored surface that is PFOA-free and long-lasting and guarantees easy food release and a fast clean-up every time.
The stock pot’s silicone-over-stainless-steel handles are dual riveted for added strength and are comfortable to hold and their rustic orange color will brighten up your kitchen, and the tempered glass lid allows you to monitor the progress of your food while sealing in the flavor and moisture for superb cooking results. You can use the stock pot on most stoves except induction and it can go in the oven as it is oven safe to 350°F and you can put the pot into the dishwasher for easy cleaning.
The Rachael Ray stock pot is covered by a lifetime limited warranty.
Pros
- Great quality
- Excellent value for money
- Ideal for 4 to 6 people
- Attractive espresso-colored interior and black exterior
- Elegant design
- Durable hard-anodized aluminum
- Excellent heating performance
- Heats up fast
- Superior level of non-stick coating
- Cool-touch silicone-over-stainless-steel handles
- Tightly fitting tempered glass lid
- PFOA-free coating
- Oven safe to 350°F
- Dishwasher-safe
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Coating can scratch easily
- Handles can get very hot
- Not to be used on an induction stove
Our Top Pick for the Best Stock Pot
Our top pick for the best stock pot is the T-fal A92280 Speciality 12-quart Stock Pot. With a superior non-stick ability and an excellent heating performance, the T-fal 12-quart stock pot is a must-have pot for any cooking enthusiast and it comes at a very affordable price. Its heavy-gauge aluminum construction guarantees its longevity and its stylish black exterior makes this superb stock pot a showpiece that you will be proud to display to family and friends. T-fal has designed this stock pot with everything you need to cook up delicious one pot meals, like a sturdy tightly fitting lid and securely riveted silicone handles that will protect your hands, and for extra peace of mind, the stock pot is covered by a limited lifetime warranty.
