Cuisinart Multicladpro Stockpot

One happy customer wrote, “It is wonderful. No sticking on the bottom and cleanup was a breeze. This is also a beautiful piece of equipment.” If you have a limited budget but are looking for a big pot, the Cook N Home 12-Quart Stainless Steel Stockpot is a great choice. This basic 12-quart stockpot is made from stainless steel, polished to a mirror-like finish. Like many other stockpots, it features an aluminum disc in the bottom that is layered between stainless steel for better heat distribution.

An inner core of aluminum ensures that foods heat quickly and evenly. We lined up four testers with varying hand sizes and strengths and asked them to pick up each empty pot, with and without mitts and towels, and provide feedback on the handles. Typically, the more expensive stockpots have full cladding that covers the bottom and sides of the pot, while less expensive models have cladding only on the bottom. That said, a fully clad pot is always preferable, but not if the cost is unreasonable and the need isn’t as pressing. While researching which models to test, we focused on stainless steel pots that are compatible with an induction burner, which provides more flexibility.

cuisinart stock pot

The thick, heavy sidewalls won’t have a huge impact when you’re boiling water or making stock using a traditional gas or electric range. But they can be very beneficial if you’re going to be slow cooking or braising large cuts of meat. I was first taught the value of a good stock pot when I was in culinary school. I learned that a flavorful stock is one cuisinart soup maker of the key (or dare I say “secret”) ingredients in many of the best restaurant dishes. Since 1995, Epicurious has been the ultimate food resource for the home cook, with daily kitchen tips, fun cooking videos, and, oh yeah, over 33,000 recipes. My family really loves making soups on weekends and therefore, we have plenty of this kind of pots, indeed.

Copper is rated at twice the conductivity of aluminum, and this makes it the absolute best material for cookware. Its ability to heat up quickly and evenly, then to cool down quickly, gives it superior control over the cooking process that is unmatched by other materials. Another French company with a long history of producing top-end cookware, cuisinart pots and pans set Mauviel produces several lines of copper kitchenware for professional and home use. The M’Heritage line features pieces constructed of bilaminated copper and stainless steel. But deBuyer has solved this with a special iron-magnetic, stainless steel bottom – creating the Prima Matera line for efficient use on all ranges, including induction.

We excluded stockpots made from aluminum, which reacts with acidic ingredients and can warp when used with high heat. We also ruled out pots made with enameled steel, which is used for sautéing and browning, or those with non-stick coatings that excel at cooking eggs, fish, and battered foods like pancakes. It shares the same build quality as the 12-quart version, which we also tested. Its shortcoming are minor, and, for the price, it’s the best we found.

But don’t let the word “luxury” fool you – their high prices reflect top-end craftsmanship as well as state of the art research and development, employing ever-evolving construction techniques and materials. Prices vary with each size, but regardless of their capacity, they prove to be solid performers with an economical price tag. Fans love the tri-ply disk bottom, which is thick and hefty with even heating. This makes it ideal for simmering stews, chili, and soups for long periods without any sticking, burning, or scorching. And on larger models of 24, 32, 40, 80, and 100 quarts, the handle plate is also riveted to the wall to provide the strength needed to handle the extra stress of their greater weight. This also means the interior walls will show rivet heads on these larger models, absent in the 8-, 12-, and 16-quart versions.

The All-Clad has a solid build, but at 5 pounds is surprisingly light for a large, fully-clad pan. All-Clad is the renowned American manufacturer of fine cookware – really, the Cadillac of kitchenware. And this handsome mirror-polished 8-quart stockpot is from their Stainless Collection, one of All-Clad’s most popular lines. They’re great for cooking lobster and crab as well, and can serve as deep fryers, too.

Whether you need a budget-friendly vessel or are looking for an upgrade for make-ahead meals, these top-rated stockpots have thousands of reviews describing why they’re so great. Ace welcomes your feedback, comments, and suggestions regarding the Beta Test Program and potential improvements to the Beta Test Program (collectively, “Feedback”). Ace may use such Feedback, without restriction, to improve or modify the Beta Test Program and Ace’s other products and services. Accordingly, without payment or further consideration to you, you hereby assign to Ace all rights, including copyright and other intellectual property rights, in and to the Feedback.