
Highly versatile and adaptable to a range of recipes, the humble stock pot is a large pan that works brilliantly when cooking for groups of people, in a professional or domestic capacity. Large stock pots are ideal for when you need a lot of durability, extra sturdiness and high sides to work with stews, stocks, soups and good, old-fashioned cooking for large events. Whether that’s through tailgating or simply to cater for an event, a good quality cooking pot is perfect for any home cook or professional who needs space, in a hard-wearing pan. So, what makes the best stock pots? Read on, to discover our Top Picks and find out all there is to know about the humble soup pot.
The Best Stock Pot
1
Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Stainless Steamer Set
Providing the best value for money and exceedingly high quality of materials, this large stainless steel pot not only looks great, but performs beyond expectations. The mirror finish of the pan itself is perfect for the modern kitchen, but is simple enough to match a more rustic or traditional décor, too. Better still, it’s designed to work brilliantly in a busy kitchen.
This option comes as a set, with steamer baskets and a tight-fitting lid that helps to contain moisture and nutrients during cooking. All of these are made with stainless steel and are so easy to clean, that you can maintain their finish for years to come, without the use of harsh abrasives. The cool grip handle helps to reduce the risk of burns and can be transferred from stove to ovens without hassle, being able to withstand heat up to 550 degrees.
Mirror-finish for a sleek look
Even heat distribution eliminates hot spots
Cool grip handle for added safety
- BrandCuisinart
- Model77-412P1
- Weight3.3 pounds
2
All-Clad Stainless Steel Tri Stock Pot
Serious home cooks and professionals alike will love stock pots from All-Clad, thanks to their attention to detail when it comes to providing the ultimate cooking pots. The bottom of the pot is wider in this option, allowing for a quicker cooking time, while the 3-ply bonded construction ensure an even heat distribution. As well as avoiding hot spots within your meal, these stock pots are more likely to fit well in any cupboard or oven – especially handy, given that this option is oven safe up to 600 degrees.
The handles are extremely secure, due to the stainless steel rivets used in construction, allowing for quick and easy handling between areas of the kitchen. Best of all, there’s a limited lifetime warranty included with every purchase, for added peace of mind and greater value for money.
Wider base allows for faster cooking times
Contoured handles are extremely secure
Oven and broiler safe up to a massive 600 degrees
- BrandAll-Clad
- Model8701004410
- Weight5 pounds
3
T-fal Specialty Total Nonstick Stock Pot
If you aren’t quite ready to take the leap into professional quality stock pots for home cooks, this may just be the bridge you need. Highly affordable, while still maintaining a good quality of materials and excellent value for money, this large stock pot from T-Fal is a great choice for cooking food in the everyday kitchen.
Both the interior and exterior of this option are non-stick, making it much easier to clean up when you’ve finished with your recipe. It also means that your food is less likely to burn onto the sides and ruin the pan, even when using a high heat – making it the ideal choice for those who are new to cooking for large groups. Dishwasher safe and coming with a lifetime warranty, this is a great product for general cooking and those new to catering for events or similar needs.
Extremely affordable
Non-stick both inside and outside
Dishwasher safe and ovenproof up to 350 degrees
- BrandT-fal
- Model2100092147
- Weight4.6 pounds
4
Cook N Home Stainless Steel Cooking Pot
A highly durable option that has proven to be extremely popular with customers, this stainless steel pot with lid combination is another affordable choice that works for everyone. The mirror polish finish looks great in any kitchen, whether you prefer a modern, sleek look or a more traditional décor. Meanwhile, the glass lid allows you to easily keep an eye on whatever you’re cooking – whether you’re making a stew, soup or stock – and is tempered, to handle high heat without concern.
The pan itself is also reinforced, with an aluminum disk base encapsulated in 18-10 stainless steel. This allows your food to cook evenly, without any hot spots occurring, while the rim maintains it’s structure and is resistant to warping over time. Overall, this is a great choice as a home stock pot, if you’re looking for a high quality, yet affordable option.
Mirror polish finish for a sleek look
Comes with tempered glass lid
Reinforced rim to avoid warping
- BrandCook N Home
- Model02441
- Weight5.5 Pounds
5
Farberware Classic Series Stock Pot
Faberware are known for creating classic pots that, not only suit any kitchen design, but also work brilliantly. Available at a fair price, this stockpot comes in a range of sizes, with the largest pans coming up to 11-quarts – enough to handle most family dinners and small get-togethers.
The thick, aluminum base distributes heat from your stove evenly, while the pot itself is resistant to warping over time. This is an ideal choice for those looking for a simple option that remains easy to clean and can handle the day-to-day cooking of everyday food. Dishwasher safe and suitable for use in an oven up to 350 degrees, and coming with a limited lifetime warranty included, this is a great choice for the everyday cook.
Thicker aluminum base to resist warping
Creates an even heat distribution
Limited lifetime warranty included
- BrandFarberware
- Model71534
- Weight5.84 pounds
6
All-Clad Brushed Stainless Steel Cooking Pot
Coming in as our Premium Pick for stock pots, this is our second entry from All-Clad and shows an exceptional level of quality for the home kitchen and professional restaurant alike. With an astonishing 5 layers of stainless steel and aluminum, this pot is able to conduct heat with striking speed and unmatched heating capabilities. At the same time, no hot spots occur due to the quality design of the pots.
The craftsmanship of this option is second-to-none, thanks to the quality of the materials and how well the pot is put together. With riveted, oversized handles that provide excellent comfort, this is a great choice for those who spend long periods of time around the heart of the house, allowing you to easily move from one spot to the next with ease. It’s also incredibly easy to care for, being dishwasher safe and extremely durable.
5-play layers of aluminum and steel
Highly rated and loved by customers
Design allows for quick, even heating
- BrandAll-Clad
- Model8701004192
- Weight8 pounds
7
Farberware Classic Stainless Steel Stock Pot
Another great option in stock pots from Faberware is this high-heat option within the Classic line. This is a high-capacity option that is ideal for larger families, groups and tailgating, and comes with a wide range of benefits that friends and family are sure to enjoy. This is a great choice that comes with a limited lifetime warranty with every purchase.
As well as coming with the benefits of using high-quality materials, this pot is suitable for use in an oven and heat-resistant up to 350 degrees. Much larger than the previous offering, it is a little more expensive but comes with stainless steel handles that are more comfortable to use, as well as a stainless steel lid that fits snugly to the base.
Extremely high capacity, ideal for gatherings
Oven safe up to 350 degrees
Lifetime warranty included
- BrandFarberware
- Model50009
- Weight7.5 pounds
8
Bayou Classic Stainless Stockpot
It’s fair to say that, if you consider food to be a major part of your life, then this stock pot from Bayou Classic may be just the thing you’re looking for. With a phenomenal 24-quart capacity, this is ideally suited to large gatherings, small-to-medium events and life’s little celebrations. It is the ideal choice for professional and serious household cooks, who take pride in their food.
This stockpot comes with a basket, suitable for steaming or frying, which is made to measure in order to provide a snug fit and top lid which creates a tight seal. The heavy-duty handles are welded into place, for added security when moving your pots from place to place and are extremely comfortable to use. Best of all, it comes at a great price, making it accessible to all kinds of chefs and cooks.
High capacity is perfect for professionals
Heavy duty welded handle provides excellent grip
Made-to-measure basket is ideal for steaming
- BrandBayou Classic
- Model1124
- Weight9 pounds
9
Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Nonstick Stock Pot
If you love making stews, soups and stocks but don’t require larger stock pots, this may well be the best choice for your needs. With a small but mighty 6-quart capacity, this is a great choice for single and smaller households that enjoy hearty food but may not require or have the space for larger options.
The durable nonstick coating makes cleaning up a breeze and helps stop any potential burns from ruining your pan. Meanwhile, the tempered glass lid can handle the high heats while allowing you to check on your food as it cooks, reducing the issue of letting heat escape. Overall, this is an affordable option that has proven to be very popular with buyers.
Tempered glass lid allows for easy viewing
Durable non-stick coating for easier and quicker cleaning
Affordable and great value for money
- BrandCuisinart
- Model644-24
- Weight4.5 pounds
10
HOMICHEF Large Nickel Free Stainless Steel Stock Pot
A great choice for those who want the quality of more expensive options without paying over-the-odds for their stock pots, this option is affordable yet effective. In particular, the stainless steel used in this pan is completely nickel-free, which reduces the risk of any toxins from entering your cooking and increasing the fresh taste of your finished meal.
Made with a 3-ply construction of stainless steel encompassing aluminum, this product has proven to be very highly rated by customers. With 85% of buyers giving this pot a 5-star review, customers were quick to note the high level of customer service provided by HomiChef, making this option a great choice for its value for money.
Crafted with nickel-free stainless steel
3-ply construction of steel and aluminum
Highly rated with excellent customer service
- BrandHOMICHEF STAINLESS STEEL COOKWARE LLC
- Model7014
- Weight7.89 pounds
Best Stock Pot Buying Guide
What to Look For in a Stock Pot
- Material
The materials you need for good quality stock pots all have a drastic difference, when compared to lower quality options. Stainless steel is generally agreed upon as being the most effective in terms of quality and in cost-effectiveness – in other words, stainless steel is great at ensuring your food is cooked evenly without breaking the bank. However, stainless steel itself is made up of varying grades.
Generally speaking, you’ll want a steel that uses 18/10 or 18/8, as these are the most hard-wearing types that are still completely inert – allowing you to scrape or have minor scratches, without affecting the finished product, and ensuring that any acidic foods, for example, won’t cause any excess wear and tear on your stock pots.
That said, it is generally agreed that aluminum is better for conducting heat evenly and is much lighter – making the job of tipping and carrying your pots much easier. It is, however, much more likely to corrode and can often warp easily, especially under a high heat. In order to obtain the best of both of these materials, we recommend using stock pots which have utilized the both options.
You can often see these described as being “3-ply” or “5-ply”, meaning that the aluminum has been encased in stainless steel by layering the two materials together. This allows your pots and pans to be hard-wearing and durable, yet able to conduct heat efficiently, reducing the risk of hot spots and providing a better overall flavor.
- Quality and Budget
The quality of the stock pot itself doesn’t necessarily come down to materials alone. In fact, you can often see the quality of the pan itself through the durability and sturdiness created through quality craftsmanship. The best stock pot will use welded seams or high-quality rivets, to help keep handles in place, stopping the from rocking during use or as you’re carrying them.
This makes the overall finished product much safer to use – especially in a busy area, such as restaurant or a busy household kitchen. They’re also much more likely to be heat resistant and therefore better for those who like to move from stove to oven, as you won’t need to worry about the handles warping or becoming damaged during use.
Of course, the craftsmanship needs to be balanced out by the budget you’re working with. Don’t think that the most expensive option is necessarily the best choice for your stock pot. Instead, look at the overall value for money provided by the manufacturer, by checking reviews, searching through descriptions and going with what you feel most comfortable with.
- Capacity and Size
While it can be tempted to go for large cooking pots, when seeking to stock your cupboards, the size of your stockpots need to work for your needs. If you are a professional, or find yourself feeding large groups of people at a time, it can absolutely be worth spending a little more for the larger options. However, for most households, a small or medium option works just as well.
Remember that the size of your pans will affect the overall cooking time, so purchase a product that matches your needs most frequently. Smaller pans will cook at a much quicker rate, as they have a smaller surface area and won’t need as much water or stock to fill. Similarly, your pot will need to be stored, when not in use, so do check if you have the cupboard space available to meet the dimensions of your pan.
Our Top Pick
We love the Cuisinart 12-quart stock pots because they offer such good value for money. Made with high-quality stainless steel and aluminum, they ensure an even heat distribution each and every time they’re used. As well as avoiding hot spots during cooking, this means your new pots will never warp and wear over time.
Built-in measurement markings help you to stay on track with your recipes, so friends and family members never have to go short. Every design of this stock pot has been created to make your job quicker and easier – from cooking to clean-up. The handle are sturdy and secure, while remaining as cool as possible during use, and the sleek finish will suit any household.