What do you need to know to buy a good 12 quart stock pot? Finding a good quart stock pot is important because it will be one of the most versatile items you will own in your kitchen. You will be using it for making stocks and reducing stocks, but you will also find it useful for making soups, cooking pasta, braising meats, marinara sauces and plenty more.
Since you will be using it for so many things, it is important to buy something that will work for anything you may want to use it for, and also be durable enough to last for years to come. Here are some important things to look for when buying a stockpot.
Size is usually the first specification you will want to decide on. Typically a quart stock pot will come in sizes ranging from 6 quarts to 20 quarts. There are commercial sized pots as large as 100 quarts or more. The size of the pot needs to be larger than a soup pot because you will usually be making a larger batch of stock than soup. There's really no reason to buy a separate soup pot however, when you can buy a stockpot that will work for all your needs.
The 12 quart stock pot is the most commonly bought size for typical family use. This size is ample for making larger batches of stock, sauces, and even can accommodate those fresh tomatoes from your garden to make your famous pasta sauce for canning or freezing.
Another feature you will need to decide on when you buy your stock pot is the shape. Most pots have a round base, sides that are deep and a lid that fits tightly. The taller pot works well for soups and stocks. There are some pots that are wider and not as tall. These can work well if you will be braising a lot of meats and will have to be reaching down into the pot to turn the meat. It's also easier to see inside and stir in a wider pot.
No matter what the shape, you want to buy your 12 quart stock pot with a thick and heavy bottom. This is to prevent burning. Soups and stocks sit on the stove simmering for a number of hours. You don't want the ingredients to burn and scorch because the bottom of your stock pot is too thin.
Purchasing a good stock pot takes some time and research to find the best one to fit your needs. They are great on the stove, they sear food, they clean up easy, and most will last for a long time. So, by taking into account your needs now and in the future you can know that your choice will help you get the most for your money.
