When you consider all the uses you have for a large capacity pot for your cooking needs, a quart stock pot is probably the most versatile and essential piece of equipment in your kitchen. A high quality pot will last for years.
The uses for a stock pot are many. They can be used for soups and stock, pasta, bigger cuts of meats, lobster, crabs, corn on the cob, canning and steaming of fruits and vegetables, and can even be used in home beer brewing.
Pot Stock
As the name suggests, quart stock pots are measured by just that. They start as small as 6 quarts and can also be bought in sizes over 100 quarts for use in larger commercial size cooking.
A 6 quart is big enough for family sized meals of pasta or soups. But the larger 12 quart stock pot may be better for having a pot big enough to accommodate a crop of tomatoes for making sauces for canning or freezing, or for cooking whole ears of corn for a bigger gathering of friends and family.
Stockpots vary in the materials that are used to make them. Some are made of stainless steel, aluminum, copper or even cast iron. Stainless stock pots are the most commonly bought. The material often determines the cost of the pot, along with the thickness of the material used.
A thick bottom is a must when choosing a quart stockpot. A thin bottom will allow the foods or liquids to easily scorch or burn during cooking. This is because the heat will not evenly distribute up the sides, and cause an excess of heat to stay at the bottom and burn.
You will also want to make sure there is a good, sturdy handle. When there is a heavy pot of boiling liquid that needs to be moved from the stove to another spot, the last thing you want is to have the handle give out and splatter boiling hot liquid throughout the room.
It's important to study the features available in a quart stock pot before making your buying decision. The cheapest may not be the best option in the long run. A good quality stockpot will last for many years, so take the time needed to make the choice that will best fit your cooking needs.