cheap stockpots

[panoz]

I'm looking for a stock pot that has a few simple requirements: boiling pasta (easy enough), handle a light sauté of mirapoix before adding stock to make soup, less than $30. I'm thinking 8 quart or so? Anything fit the bill? Alanons and Circulons are too expensive.

Is using the stockpot to sauté even unthinkable? I did that all the time in a Le Creuset and All-Clad, but those can certainly handle the job. I'm wondering because I destroyed the nonstick surface on the cheap set stockpot I had, when the surface looks the same as the frypan that came with the set.

[Jack_]

I've been using my Farberware stockpots for probably 30 years now. The new one have a nice thick aluminum bottom

[Kelli2006]

I have 16-20 qt commercial anodized aluminum stockpots, but I bought my mother a 12 qt Revere-ware stock pot, and it is a amazingly nice piece for less than $20.00.

You should not be simmering a mireproix over anything but a low heat and the same goes for a roux. I will occasionally use a flame tamer under my stockpots, but the idea of spending $150+ for a All Clad stock pot is beyond me. The concept of a Teflon coated stockpot is the victory of marketing/hype over need and food safety.

RShea, The Royal industries SS stock pots in the link you provided are excellent and are very common sight in the commercial kitchen. $43.00 is a excellent price.

[Hungry Celeste]

I bought a heavy stainless steel 16-quart ("Roshco" brand) at my local Corning/Revere outlet store for $30. Came with a glass lid, plenty heavy enough for sauteeing (you could even make a roux, but the pot is too tall for me to reach into the bottom without a ladder!).

[kayakado]

Try Target, they've got a Le Crueset that rated best by Cooks Illus for under $40 and some copper bottomed and tri-ply cookware that has received rave reviews from the egullet folks.

[cheryl_h]

Costco sells a heavy stainless 12 qt stockpot with removable insert for around $45. It's a great buy. I use mine for stocks, soups and even making big batches of pasta, ragu and chutney. They may have a smaller size if 12 qt is too big for your needs.

[RShea78]

I would look over InstaWares for a brand called Royal Industries. I have 2 links below for you to check over. (top general brand/second an 8 qt SS model) I chose them because of their halfway decent utility grade and it comes with the lid. They are thin grade of SS with a 4mm Al-clad bottom to them.

Beyond these you may find Revere, Tramontina or Betty Crocker Al-clad-SS close in comparison. (check @ Walmart or Favorite Discount chains)

http://www.instawares.com/royal-industries-inc.0.1865.0.0.htm
http://www.instawares.com/nsf-stainle...

It maybe an advantage not to try the mirepoix in the confines of a stock pot or expecially one of SS. Not that I haven't done so myself, but it is that education from the "School of Hard Knocks", when I spoils me broth. I just hate that when it happens!

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[andreas]

Shea, I use my (admittedly heavy - I got an excellent deal on a 12 qt AllClad) stockpot all the time to saute my mirepoix with no ill effects. What do you recommend to keep an eye open for?

[RShea78]

Anything that may glaze or stick becomes a later burnt spot, even though the water is added to help prevent that, it still can happen. I am not getting any younger so my reflexes were not like they once was.

I also can get an advanced start with the water simmering in my stock pot by doing the other from the confort of my side pan.

[will47]

I wouldn't get a non-stick stockpot. But you should be able to sauté in one... the problem is that at your price range, finding one with a heavy bottom is going to be tough.

I would look in commercial kitchen supply stores in your area and see if they have a stainless steel stockpot in your price range.

If you're not anti-aluminum, you can pretty definitely find an aluminum stockpot at a kitchen supply store in that price range.

Either way, look for something with a nice heavy bottom.