A stock pot is a large cooking pot designed to hold liquids, so it’s ideal for making soups, stews, and chilis as well as boiling water. It’s a piece of equipment that you’ll use regularly, so it’s important to get one that will be long lasting and suit the type of cooking you prefer to do.

Stock pots are a staple piece of cooking equipment in most people’s kitchens, and they can be made in a range of sizes and from different materials. Because of their diversity, it is important to consider your needs before you select one.

Pot Size

The first question you should ask yourself is what size pot you want. Stock pots are a common piece of cookware — almost every company makes them, and they come in several sizes. The stock pot that’ll be the right size for you will depend on what you prefer to make, whether you enjoy hosting guests, and if you have a large family.

• 6-quart: This is a common size for stock pots and is the size I use regularly. It’s the right size for most soup or chili recipes and can feed up to 12 people. If you want a stock pot that can go in the oven, this is also a good choice — bigger ones can be hard to fit on an oven rack.
• 8-quart: In addition to being able to handle everything a 6-quart can, an 8-quart pot is also good for making stock and broths and is an excellent size for boiling corn on the cob or lobster. A pot this size can feed up to 16 people and can still fit in the oven, depending on its dimensions.
• 12-quart: If you like to make really big batches, then the 12-quart is for you. This is excellent for making big batches of tomato sauce, stocks, broths, and boiling seafood.
• 16-quart: While you can find pots this big in stores, it’s starting more toward specialty. A 16-quart pot can make a large batch of stock or both, but it’s primarily used for canning.

What Should a Stock Pot Be Made Out of?

• Stainless Steel: Because of its durability and versatility, stainless steel is the most common material for stock pots. This material has no trouble with high heat, is easy to maintain, and lasts a lifetime. It’s also attractive and a good conductor of heat.
  • Plys: When looking at stainless steel stock pots, you may see them referred to as 3-ply, 5-ply, or even 7-ply. To make the cookware more conductive, most manufacturers add a layer of aluminum or copper sandwiched between the stainless steel. So a 3-ply pan has two layers of stainless steel and one layer of aluminum, a 5-ply pan has three layers of steel and two of aluminum, and so on.
  • Clad: A clad pot has a ply of aluminum, copper, or graphite on the bottom. If it’s fully clad, then the layers reach all the way up the sides of the pot. Fully clad is preferable for more even heat distribution, but that doesn't mean that a clad pot is bad. A lot of clad pots perform great.
• Aluminum: While an unusual material for a stockpot, you can find ones made of aluminum. However, if the pot is pure aluminum, it’ll be prone to scratches and won’t be good for highly acidic foods, like tomato sauce, as it’ll discolor and even pit the aluminum. That being said, aluminum is arguably the best conductor of heat and is lightweight and long-lasting.
• Hard Anodized Aluminum: If you want the heat distribution qualities of aluminum but with more durability, hard anodized aluminum is the way to go. Anodizing aluminum is achieved by submerging it in a chemical bath and running an electric current through it. This causes the aluminum to oxidize in a specific way to make it more durable and scratch resistant and give it nonstick properties. However, this cookware tends to be expensive, dull in color, and doesn’t handle high temperatures well.
• Cast Iron: Most large pots made out of cast iron are Dutch ovens, but it is possible to get cast iron stock pots. Most of them will be enameled, making them easier to care for and better for acidic foods. Cast iron has excellent heat distribution and retention and can last a lifetime, but it’s heavy and requires special care.

Stock Pot Construction

When looking for a stock pot, it’s important that you find one with good-quality construction. It can be difficult to tell for sure in the store how well a pot will perform when cooking, but there are certain things to look for to ensure that your new stock pot will serve you well.

• Handles: If you can, try the handles on the pot before you buy it. You want sturdy handles that are easy to grasp, comfortable to hold, and firmly attached. Remember that the pot will be a lot heavier when you’re using it, so you need the handles to hold up and make the pot easy to move.
• Lid: All stock pots should come equipped with a lid. The two most common types are going to be either the same material as the pot itself (stainless steel, aluminum, cast iron) or glass. Some people prefer glass lids, but I’m partial to stainless or aluminum. Glass is fragile, meaning that you can break your lid, and you have to be careful with it in the oven or it can shatter.
• Bottom: Looking at the bottom of the pot is a good way to determine how well it’s made. You’re generally better off with pots that are all one piece because a pot with a welded-on bottom is usually of inferior quality. If you have an induction stove, it’s also important that the bottom is made of steel or iron so that it’ll be magnetic.
• Weight: While you don’t want your stock pot to be too heavy, it also shouldn’t be too light. A pot that’s too light is likely made of thin material and won’t hold up. Unless it’s made out of aluminum, avoid a pot that feels like there’s nothing to it.

My Top Picks for Stock Pots

Every one of the items on this list are well-made and will perform well, it’ll just be a matter of personal preference. While most of these are stainless steel pots, there are a few other options for those looking for something different.

1. Viking Contemporary 8-Quart Stock Pot

Viking makes a stainless steel stock pot with a glass lid. It has an attractive mirror finish and conical sides that flare out a bit as a way to aid in cooking time. It’s made entirely from stainless steel, so it’s oven safe, though the glass lid is no good under a broiler or at high temperatures. However, it’s the second-most expensive item on this list, and glass lids can break.

2. KitchenAid 5-Ply Clad Stainless Steel Stock 6-Quart Pot With Lid

For those looking for a smaller stock pot, KitchenAid makes a 6-quart. It’s oven safe up to 500 degrees with the lid and broiler safe without it, meaning it can be used for multiple purposes. It includes measurement markings on the inside to help keep track of how much you’re adding. It’s also 5-ply, which is good in terms of heat distribution and retention but makes it heavier. The manufacturer says it’s dishwasher safe, but it’s generally not a good idea to put stainless steel in the dishwasher.

3. GreenPan Valencia Pro Ceramic Nonstick 8-Quart Covered Stock Pot

GreenPan is known for making eco-friendly cookware, and its stock pot is no exception. It’s made of hard anodized aluminum with a ceramic nonstick coating. A nonstick stock pot is easier to clean, but nonstick coatings shouldn’t go in the dishwasher and degrade over time. Aluminum also isn't as good at high temperatures but is better with heat transference than stainless steel. However, it doesn't work on induction burners.

4. Le Creuset 8-Quart Enamel on Steel Stock Pot

Le Creuset does something different by having a stock pot made of enameled steel. The base is carbon steel, which is excellent for its strength and heat retention, but is prone to rust, hence the enamel. The stock pot is attractive and comes in a wide variety of colors. Le Creuset generally makes high-quality cookware, though some purchasers have complained that the enamel is easy to chip.

5. All-Clad Stainless Steel Tri-Ply Bonded 12-Quart Stock Pot With Lid

For those looking for a larger stock pot, All-Clad makes an excellent 12-quart option. It’s made of high-quality stainless steel and is 3-ply with layers of aluminum. All-Clad prides itself on its cookware being fully clad, and the pot has wide handles, making it easy to grip even with oven mitts. It’s broiler and oven-safe — if you can manage to fit it in your oven, that is. All-Clad’s cookware tends to be pricey as it’s made in the USA, and with this being a larger pot you’re going to have to be willing to splurge.

Let Us Help Find the Best Stock Pot for You

It can be overwhelming to try to find the right choice for your needs, particularly if you don’t have experience with stock pots. Some of it also boils down to personal preferences in terms of size, handle shape, and whether or not it has any sort of nonstick coating. Because a stock pot is an item you’ll use a lot over its lifetime, don’t be afraid to take your time. If you feel you need more information or advice, reach out to one of our Curated Kitchen Experts! Any of our Experts would be more than happy to help you find the stock pot that’s just right for you.