Stockpots are some of the most important and most frequently used items when cooking outdoors so it really makes sense to buy a good one. See it as an important long term investment in your outdoor cooking equipment kitchen.
Stockpots come in various sizes from smallish to huge, regrettably they come in highly variable levels of quality and just to confuse us they are available in both stainless steel and aluminum. Before progressing you must decide which type of stockpot will best suit you.
With stockpots the idea that one size fits all doesn't apply. You will need a few stockpots when cooking outdoors so buy with that in mind. If you can't afford a full set now buy the size that youre going to use the most and then buy more later.
Stockpots typically come in a domestic format ranging from 8 quarts, okay for small scale cooking to 12 quarts for everyday bigger scale cooking inside; but if youre looking to stock up your outdoor cooking equipment then youre going to need larger pots.
And if a big stockpot is what you are after then youll find stockpots ranging in size, for example in the Bayou Classic range, from: 24 to 36 to 44 to 62 to 82 quarts going right up to a 162 quart stainless steel stock pot. The choice is up to you.. But remember, the larger the pot the more powerful the burner that is needed to heat it up with.
So you want to buy a stockpot? Here are ten essential tips:
1. Aluminum is lighter in weight; it provides even heating without heat spots; it costs less size for size than stainless steel but it easily dents, is harder to clean, doesn't last as long, and certainly doesn't look as good as stainless steel;
2. By contrast stainless steel is easy to clean; lasts longer; doesn't dent easily, and it looks nice as a piece of cookware. However it does suffer from heat spots, it is heavier and it is more its more expensive;
3. Go for 'quality' whether buying aluminum or stainless steel. Do take seriously the fact that there is a lot of 'rubbish' in the marketplace at the present. I warn you, if you buy cheap then you'll soon come to regret it!
4. When selecting your stockpot, basket and lid, especially if you're buying a large pot, ensure that its made from the highest standard of commercial grade stainless steel or aluminum appropriate for that size of pot;
5. Go for a stock pot that has an indention just short of the top of the pot; this holds the basket off the bottom of the pot for when steaming;
6. Its important that your stockpot has a thick base; this is where you'll get wear, especially with poorer grade aluminum pots;
7. Ensure that the lid fits well, i.e. snugly and tightly and that the pot has a tidy rim that makes pouring from it easy;
8. Go for pot with well designed, good quality spacious handles that are secure. Poor quality rivets and small handles are an absolute no-no as you're going to be lifting some very hot liquids bearing considerable weight!
9. Don't be concerned about the width versus height argument. Some say the height has to be greater than the width but, in all my outdoor cooking, with every conceivable size of stockpot, including the largest of pots, which typically have a wider base than depth, I don't find any difference whatsoever in respect of the taste of the food that is served up. Indeed I would go for the counter argument for practical reasons. If you have a wider base, especially when you're cooking over a big flame outdoors you'll find it far easier to brown and to stir in a wider pot rather than in an overly tall pot;
10. Finally don't expect to find a good range of quality stockpots in the local hardware store. You might find one or two pots from the odd one or two good brands but you're much better off going online and investigating the many great offers across the whole range of sizes that you'll find there. And whilst you might find some great brands at a cookware specialty store you're very likely to be paying far, far more than if you buy online; a lot more.
Stockpots come in various sizes from smallish to huge, regrettably they come in highly variable levels of quality and just to confuse us they are available in both stainless steel and aluminum. Before progressing you must decide which type of stockpot will best suit you.
With stockpots the idea that one size fits all doesn't apply. You will need a few stockpots when cooking outdoors so buy with that in mind. If you can't afford a full set now buy the size that youre going to use the most and then buy more later.
Stockpots typically come in a domestic format ranging from 8 quarts, okay for small scale cooking to 12 quarts for everyday bigger scale cooking inside; but if youre looking to stock up your outdoor cooking equipment then youre going to need larger pots.
And if a big stockpot is what you are after then youll find stockpots ranging in size, for example in the Bayou Classic range, from: 24 to 36 to 44 to 62 to 82 quarts going right up to a 162 quart stainless steel stock pot. The choice is up to you.. But remember, the larger the pot the more powerful the burner that is needed to heat it up with.
So you want to buy a stockpot? Here are ten essential tips:
1. Aluminum is lighter in weight; it provides even heating without heat spots; it costs less size for size than stainless steel but it easily dents, is harder to clean, doesn't last as long, and certainly doesn't look as good as stainless steel;
2. By contrast stainless steel is easy to clean; lasts longer; doesn't dent easily, and it looks nice as a piece of cookware. However it does suffer from heat spots, it is heavier and it is more its more expensive;
3. Go for 'quality' whether buying aluminum or stainless steel. Do take seriously the fact that there is a lot of 'rubbish' in the marketplace at the present. I warn you, if you buy cheap then you'll soon come to regret it!
4. When selecting your stockpot, basket and lid, especially if you're buying a large pot, ensure that its made from the highest standard of commercial grade stainless steel or aluminum appropriate for that size of pot;
5. Go for a stock pot that has an indention just short of the top of the pot; this holds the basket off the bottom of the pot for when steaming;
6. Its important that your stockpot has a thick base; this is where you'll get wear, especially with poorer grade aluminum pots;
7. Ensure that the lid fits well, i.e. snugly and tightly and that the pot has a tidy rim that makes pouring from it easy;
8. Go for pot with well designed, good quality spacious handles that are secure. Poor quality rivets and small handles are an absolute no-no as you're going to be lifting some very hot liquids bearing considerable weight!
9. Don't be concerned about the width versus height argument. Some say the height has to be greater than the width but, in all my outdoor cooking, with every conceivable size of stockpot, including the largest of pots, which typically have a wider base than depth, I don't find any difference whatsoever in respect of the taste of the food that is served up. Indeed I would go for the counter argument for practical reasons. If you have a wider base, especially when you're cooking over a big flame outdoors you'll find it far easier to brown and to stir in a wider pot rather than in an overly tall pot;
10. Finally don't expect to find a good range of quality stockpots in the local hardware store. You might find one or two pots from the odd one or two good brands but you're much better off going online and investigating the many great offers across the whole range of sizes that you'll find there. And whilst you might find some great brands at a cookware specialty store you're very likely to be paying far, far more than if you buy online; a lot more.
About the Author:
Stephen Kember is an expert on outdoor cooking . He runs The outdoor cooking equipment Store. Before purchasing any stockpots take a look at the Bayou Classic range of Aluminum stockpots, lids & Baskets and stainless steel stockpots, baskets & lids stockpots, where at the moment, for a limited period prices across the range are greatly reduced.
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