Whether you're making your own stock or simmering a sauce, a stockpot is a kitchen essential. Read on to learn more about the types of stockpot materials, sizes, and features.

What Is a Stockpot?
Soup Pot vs. Stockpot
Stockpot Materials
Stockpot Sizes
Stockpot Features

What Is a Stockpot?

A stockpot is commonly used for creating or preparing soup stock or a sauce base. The pot itself is designed for long simmering sessions and is often the largest pot in your kitchen (though there are a range of stockpot sizes), ensuring it can fit vegetables or even bones.

A stockpot has tall walls and a flat bottom. The pot is generally large and wide enough to cover burners on the stove. Typically, it can hold between 4-24 qts. The design makes stockpot cooking the go-to pot for soups, sauces, or boiling water. It is a versatile kitchen tool and can be used for a multitude of recipes.

Soup Pot vs. Stockpot

What is a soup pot? While a soup pot is similar to a stockpot, there are a few differences that make each an essential kitchen pot. Soup pots are short and wide, designed to hold and heat dense ingredients. Stockpots are designed to hold larger amounts of liquids and are much taller than soup pots.

Stockpots tend to have thinner bottoms than soup pots. The thinner material conducts heat faster and more evenly, which promotes boiling. Soup pots often have a more heavy material as the base, allowing the pot to heat consistently and prevent burning during slow simmers.

Soup pots often have one long handle, making it easy to pick up the pot when your soup is ready. Stockpots are designed with double handles, making it easy to grip when pouring and lifting.

Stockpot Materials

Nonstick: If you are looking for something lightweight, opt for a nonstick stockpot. These have a light coating that helps keep sauces from sticking. Nonstick material normally does not distribute heat evenly, so most have an inner layer or aluminum to help conduct heat.

Aluminum: Aluminum is known for its ability to heat up faster than other materials, making it the best stockpot if you find yourself wanting to create recipes fast.

Stainless Steel: The most common of materials, a stainless steel stockpot is a budget-friendly option. Stainless steel is light, thin, sturdy, and can offer a classy look in any kitchen. This material allows for quick and even heating and gives off an attractive look, making it a great addition to any kitchen.

Stockpot Sizes

Small: Small stockpots can fit between 2–5 quarts. This size is easy to maneuver and can feed up to six people. It is a great option for a couple looking to have leftovers regularly or for small families with extra helpings.

Medium: If you find yourself not doing much stockpot cooking, a medium-sized pot is a great option. It holds 6–9 quarts and feeds roughly ten people, making it the right choice for serving larger quantities.

Large: Large stockpots fit 10–12 quarts and feed up to 12 people, making them the best option for large families or small parties.

Extra-Large: If you entertain often or love to make large batches, opt for an extra-large stockpot. It holds over 13 quarts and it feeds 14 people.

Stockpot Features

Lid Included: If you find yourself simmering large quantities and want to prevent splashes or trap heat, the best stockpot for you should come with a lid included.

Dishwasher-Safe: Spend less time cleaning up after cooking by opting for a dishwasher-safe stockpot. This makes for easy clean up, allowing you to spend more time enjoying your latest recipe.

PTFE-Free: Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a chemical that is used on nonstick cookware. When cooking often, it can start to break down and release a fume. To give yourself peace of mind, opt for a stockpot that is PTFE-free.

PFOA-Free: Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is used when creating PTFE. Like PTFE, when surfaces that include PFOA start to break down, chemical fumes can be released while you are cooking. Choose a PFOA-free stockpot if you cook often to prevent this.

Oven-Safe: If you are looking to take your stockpot directly off the stove and put it into the oven, opt for an oven-safe stockpot. It will withstand the high temperatures and makes clean up easy since you’ll only use one pan.

Cool-Touch Handles: Cool-touch handles protect your hands (and the hands of curious little ones) by staying cool no matter how hot the pot is.

Stackable: If you find yourself with little kitchen storage, look for a stackable stockpot. This option allows you to stack your stockpots to make the most of your cabinet space, while keeping your pots in good condition.

Now you need not ask "what is a stockpot?" but rather, "when can I get cooking?"