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Whether you cook at home to fulfill your passion or at a restaurant to earn some money, having the right equipment can definitely make your cooking time worthwhile. Pots are an essential part of any kitchen as they impact the quality and flavor of your food. You obviously won’t be able to make a lot of stove-based dishes without pots. However, we are way past that Fred Flinstone era, in which only one type of pot existed for everything they ate. With so many types of pots out there, it may be a bit hard to settle on just one product. To make things easier, we have reviewed the best pots to help you cook delicious meals with ease.
Best Kitchen Pot Worth Considering
Faberware Pot
– Best Overall
Faberware pots are induction-compatible stock pots with a full-cap base, making them an excellent conductor that distributes heat evenly throughout the pot. This classic stainless steel pot with mirror satin finish is dishwasher safe for user convenience. It consists of easy-clean technology that prevents you from the intensive labor of scrubbing and shining.
Weighing only 3.8 pounds, it has convenient dimensions of 12.2 x 12.2 x 6.9 inches making it easy to store in any kitchen cabinet. The insulated handles ensure a comfortable grasp while offering an oven-safe experience up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, this 6-quart stockpot comes with a lid so you can simmer your stock and soups without any issues.
Pros
- An excellent conductor that distributes heat evenly
- Dishwasher safe
- Easy to store
- Oven-safe
Cons
- Extreme heat can cause discoloration
HOMICHEF Pot
– Runner Up
Suitable for commercial use, this 20 QT stockpot by HOMICHEF is a perfect addition to any restaurant. Based on an elegant French design, it is made from nickel-free stainless steel to promote better health. Moreover, the sleek design with a see-through tempered glass lid, matte polished interior, and a mirror-polished exterior make it a perfect kitchen and table choice.
Compatible with all kinds of stovetops, it is 7mm in base thickness and weighs only 5.7 lbs, making it a top choice for any gourmet chef. The glass lid comes with a hole to release excess vapor and regulate heat circulation. Furthermore, you can also purchase this in a 16 QT version that weighs 4.4 lbs.
Pros
- Healthy nickel-free cooking
- Compatibility with different stovetops
- Sleek design
- Regulated heat circulation
Cons
- It might discolor over time
- Lids are not safe to touch without a cloth
Cooks Standard Pot
– Honorable Mention
Cooks Standard Pot is made with brushed 18/10 stainless steel that leaves a classic silver finishing. The aluminum layering at the bottom provides an even heat distribution throughout the pot, so the meal cooks evenly with the yummy flavors.
It comes with a solid lid that creates a seal encapsulating heat and moisture inside the pot. Suitable for use on any stovetop, it is durable and oven safe for up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Moreover, it holds up to 11 quarts of liquid within 13 x 10 x 10 dimensions. Still, if you want variations, it is available in 4 different sizes as well.
Pros
- Even distribution of heat
- Sealed cooking
- Oven safe
- Durable
Cons
- The handles conduct some heat
Cook N Home Pot
– Most Convenient
Key Features
Cook N Home collection features pots with a mirror-polished stainless body that leaves a touch of finesse and promotes longevity. A heavy-duty aluminum disc is capsuled, which allows even heat distribution throughout the cooking process. Its durable and weight-resistant handles can carry this 7-lb pot with ease.
The tempered glass lid can release excess vapors while keeping in the required moisture. Other than that, this oven-safe pot can be used on any type of heat induction. You can also put it in a dishwasher for thorough cleaning without any worries.
Pros
- Even cooking due to the heavy-duty aluminum layer
- Long-lasting product
- Durable and weight-resistant handles
- Oven and dishwasher safe
Cons
- Lid doesn’t sit solidly on top
IMUSA Pots
– Also Consider
If you are looking for a large capacity durable stick pot for home or professional use, IMUSA has the right product waiting for you. This versatile stockpot made from heat-tolerant stainless steel can handle 18.93 liters (20 QT) of water with 14.76 x 14.76 x 11.02-inch dimensions.
Made in a labor-intensive industry, it comes with a matching lid to lock the heat and flavors inside while cooking. The double-sided metal handles allow easy transportation from one spot to another regardless of the quantity inside
Pros
- Has high-temperature tolerance
- The lid can lock the heat
- Large capacity
- Durable material
Cons
- The handles can get hot
Best Pots Buying Guide
To make an informed decision, you need to have well-rounded and unbiased information about the product. For that, we have gathered all the essential pointers you need to know when buying the best pots in the market.
What Are the Important Things To Keep In Mind When Buying a Pot?
Following is the list of everything you need to keep in mind when buying the best pot in 2021.
Heat conductivity
A high-quality pot circulates heat evenly throughout the pot, ensuring that each grain or soup inside it gets adequate heat and flavor. For that, you need to look for a product that is sensitive to changes in temperature. Copper is an excellent conductor, but it is highly reactive to even the slightest temperature change.
On the other hand, stainless steel is a superb conductor, but it does not react to heat immediately. Home cooks typically prefer stainless steel items because of their inexperience with temperature change, but professional chefs are confident even with high-quality conductors such as copper.
Size
Size of the pot matters in the long run because it allows you to cook specific portions. If you have a smaller family, a 9 quarts pot is enough for everyday use. However, people making larger portions must opt for a 12 or even 20 quarts pot depending on the use.
Handles
Handles are a mandatory part of any pot as they need to be tilted for liquid separation most of the time. Whether making soup or simply boiling potatoes, make sure that the pot you use has sturdy handles fixed tightly without an inch of movement. Most labels say heat-resistant, but metal handles are bound to get hot, so make sure to wear insulated mittens or cloth before touching them.
Durability
Cookware like pots is not something that you would buy again and again. Most of them even last for decades if appropriately used. If you are looking for a one-time investment, go for materials that maintain their look while you cook delicious meals in them. Stainless steel products are known to go a very long way in terms of durability and longevity.
Reactivity
Not all metals are reaction-proof. Some can cause allergies and toxic infections after reacting with food. For instance, aluminum has a history of reacting with acidic foods like vinegar and tomatoes, while nickel in cookware can cause allergies. Stainless steel has proven to be non-reactive and reliable in this case.
Structure
The thickness of a pot matters a lot because it may show different results when cooking. Pots are usually used for making stocks and soups, which take hours to cook perfectly; hence a thin pan may scorch the ingredients before you even know it. A high-quality pot has an adequate thickness of around 7 to 10mm that becomes a barrier between heat and food, ensuring delicious meals.
Maintenance
Every product requires maintenance, but certain materials need more care than others. Pots made from copper and cast iron need to be maintained more than their aluminum and stainless steel counterparts that only require a regular wash.
What Are Kitchen Pots Made Of?
When buying a pot, you can make a sound decision by understanding and comparing the materials.
Stainless steel
The most commonly used material in pots, stainless steel, is an alloy of carbon, steel, and chromium. Highly resistant to corrosion, it offers a durable pot that does not cause a reaction with the food. Stainless steel requires aluminum layering at the bottom to ensure even cooking but is slow to temperature change. It is one of the most long-lasting and warp-resistant products available in the market.
Aluminum
An excellent conductor used in 50% of the world’s cookware, aluminum pots are reasonably priced and allow quick temperature rise. It is a soft metal prone to easy dents and scratches. Other than that, it also tends to react with food and heat. However, aluminum pots are coated with a non-stick material, so the food is unburned, and the intensity of the reaction is reduced.
Copper
Although copper pots are not a common choice among home cooks because of their ability to quickly change temperature and high price, they are a classic preference for gourmet chefs. But if not maintained properly, copper pots are prone to corrosion and react abundantly with food.
Why Should Every Kitchen Have a Pot?
There are certain benefits of pots that make them a worthwhile addition to your cookware.
Excellent performance
Whether you are making soup for 10 people or 50, a premium-quality pot performs wonderfully when the food is left to simmer. They allow you to incorporate as much flavor as you want with no limitations of time. All in all, pots help you produce delicious flavors.
Retain nutrition
A pot is designed to cook food while retaining heat and moisture inside. Other than concealing the flavors properly, it also helps the food retain more nutrition. This is possibly one of the major reasons why food cooked longer tastes delicious and wholesome.
Prevent splatter
Pots are generally designed for recipes that require pouring and draining liquids. Their large walls prevent liquid splatter, and the small handles help you reduce splashes when draining water.
How To Maintain Your Pots
To ensure durability, one needs to maintain the quality of the pots. A few steps are involved in this process.
Cleaning method
Using improper sponges or harsh wires when cleaning a pot may deteriorate its quality leading to a poor product in no time. Keep the material in mind when cleaning your product.
- Aluminum pots should be washed with dish soap, warm water, and the prickly side of your sponge to clean it thoroughly. A mild soap is recommended to avoid any harsh reactions.
- Copper pots are preferred to be cleaned with natural ingredients like vinegar and lime juice.
- Use the soft side of the sponge to clean stainless steel. Although it is dishwasher safe, you may have to run it through another round by hand.
Scratching
Metal utensils like ladles can scratch the base of your pot once they get in touch with them. It is always recommended to use nylon, wooden, or silicon materials to prevent scratching the pots.
Water temperature
Water temperature helps you get rid of things stuck in the pan. For instance, if you burn some food, rinse it with hot water until the caramelized food and spots become soft and easy to scrub. Soaking pots in water or consistent scrubbing is not a good idea as it may cause scratching or discoloration.
Final Thoughts
Pots are an essential requirement in every kitchen. To make the right purchase, you need to have pointers like size, conductivity, temperature control, and durability in mind. Other than that, the material of your product matters a lot.
Make sure you have everything covered, including the tips to maintain pots, so that the product you buy is perfect for its intended use. We hope that our buying guide was a useful resource to help you pick the best spots.
Mini Greenhouse FAQ
Q: Can I buy kitchen pots separately?
A: Even though pots are often available within a complete cooking set, you can purchase them separately as well.
Q: Are cooking pots safe for induction cooking?
A: Most pots made from stainless steel have no reaction to induction cooking and hence, are safe to use.
Q: What is the ideal size of a pot for home use?
A: It depends on how many you’re cooking for regularly. An 8 quarts pot is enough for a small family, while others may require a 10 or 12 quarts version.
