stock pot recommendations

[sanguine_speed]

I seem to need a big stock pot!

I have a growing family and like to batch cook. I want a good-quality stock pot that can handle large batches of stock, soup, chili, etc. But how big is too big?

Any recommendations for good-quality stock pots at a good price?

[Magelet]

As for how big is too big... I would say 12 qts is a great size. (in terms of how big 12 qts really is, which I found hard to picture until I saw one, its 3 gallons, so you could picture 3 gallons of milk) It really isn't too big. I use it to make stock primarily right now because its just us two and its the only thing I "batch cook". (I make stock from 1-2 chicken carcasses, and could probably fit 3-4. I use it for cooking a lb of pasta, but could easily do much more. Basically, I don't find the stockpot too big to store or put on the stove, so I love it's size, but I've never filled it more than oh halfway (and that is making stock or a huge batch of soup to freeze), cooking for 2. (I don't batch cook too much). What I love about it's size is that this one stockpot works for me now as a couple, and will still work for me when we are a family of 3, 4, 5, or more, plus guests.

As for specific stock pot, I absolutely LOVE my all-clad. It has an aluminum or copper disk on the bottom, stainless steel, great handles (vital), a nice fitting lid, is not too tall or too wide (but far more tall than wide). My dad has a cuisinart stainless steel stock pot I think and I've used it a couple times. It's a good stock-pot. I don't think it is heavy bottomed, but that might not be a problem for a stockpot. I don't know how it will last, but it is a lot less money, and it does definitely appear to be a stockpot which will make stocks, soups, chili, large batches of tomato sauce, pasta and more for years to come.

The features I would look for are:
very well attached and strong handles that are big enough for your hands plus pot mitts to fit
a good fitting lid
a heavy bottom (this might be a disk of copper or aluminum or even stainless steel, or something else. it can look like many things. it even could have a layer of copper or aluminum throughout though that would be too heavy for a stockpot)
12 qts
taller than it is wide (this limits evaporation which is useful on stock, soups, stews, and pretty much everything you use a stockpot for). You don't want it to be too tall to look into though.


a good stockpot is such a useful tool

[sanguine_speed]

Well, I picked up a heavy-bottomed 14qt at Costco for $37, which I'm pleased with. It's not top-of-the-line but it seems reasonably good quality, and for that price it looks great. I did look at the All-Clad, but it was $279. Just not justifiable for my purposes!

[Magelet]

I got my all-clad as a gift, or else goodness knows I wouldn't have all-clad either. Sounds great. I have to say, often the kirkland brand is a VERY top of the line brand. And costco has some amazing products. (My aunt has some mixing bowls that are the envy of the entire family, since no one has found them since at costco.)

I'm glad you found a good stockpot for you at a great price.