So, I'm shopping for the perfect stock pot

[Le Taz Hot]

a couple weeks ago and I'm trying to find one made in the U.S.A. Went to my local hardware store where I buy my cast iron pieces but all they had was crappy stuff made in China. Same problem with Sears and Penny's. So I call Williams Sonoma and yes, they have a wonderful line that is made in the U.S.A. -- All-Clad. So I go over there and she shows me the most beautiful stock pot I've ever seen. I mean, I'm JONESING for this thing. Here's a link to it (I can't post pictures):

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/all-clad-d5-stainless-steel-stock-pot/?pkey=ccookware-all-clad&

So, without looking at the price I said, "I'll take it!" She starts ringing this thing up and I'm thinking maybe $150-$200. She rings up $450.00. At this point I had to sheepishly admit that it was over my budget and said I'll have to come back another time. $450.00. for a pot. But DAMN is it a beauty! (I did manage to find it online for $319.00 but still . . .).

Just thought my fellow cooks might appreciate this story.

[ejpoeta]

1. I too am looking for a stockpot. Jeez!!! $450 for a stock pot!!! way out of my price range.

I cringed when I saw them for $80. I was looking for stainless steel stockpot so I could make distilled water.


although, we did spend 1500 for a stove. Well, 1200 because my husband is great at getting them to give us a good deal. It was made in america too. Bob said, he spends a lot for his tools without thinking anything of it. The stove is my tool. I do love that stove. Except trying to clean it. But I digress.

[Le Taz Hot]

2. Yeah, mine too but

criminee was it beautimous.

[Stinky The Clown]

3. All Clad makes beautiful stuff, but if you want serious function at a low price . . . .

. . . . go to any restaurant supply store and look at their big commercial aluminum stock pots. This one is typical: a 12 qt stock pot, all aluminum, 10 year commercial use warranty, for $42! The lid is extra, so let's say another $10. These are not particularly pretty once put in service, but they last forever and will have heating properties every bit the equal of the All Clad product.

[Major Nikon]

4. Really the only thing I look for in a stock pot is the size and how thick the bottom is

I have some all-clad sauce pans, which I think are excellent, but buying an all-clad stock pot or any stock pot that is triple layered is overkill. It also ultimately makes the stock pot heavier, which is not necessarily a good thing for such a pan.

I also like glass lids for stock pots, so you can see if your food is boiling or simmering without removing the lid. I don't use a stock pot all that often, so I opt for a pasta pot that performs multiple functions including steaming.

All-Clad makes a pasta pot which sells for about $100. It's still triple layered. It doesn't have a glass lid and it's made in China. I prefer one that looks more like this...

[noamnety]

5. You could try a beer brewing supply place

That's where we got ours. They have solid equipment without so much focus on designer name brands - it's more about function.

[Jenoch]

6. I have a solution for a good,

11 quart stockpot. It is however, made in China.

The Ikea 365 line of kettles has a disc bottom and is stainless steel. We have the 3 quart and 5 quart models and have used them for years without scorching anything, well, except for milk. They work great on our smooth-top electric stove. These happened to have been purchased at a Goodwill store for $9. We later went to Ikea to buy the big kettle for $30.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00101160/

[Le Taz Hot]

7. Thanks but I avoid buying anything

made in China if I can possibly help it. The criteria is that it has to be made in the U.S.A. But thanks for your input. I appreciate it.

[Jenoch]

8. I knew that, but I thought it was worth mentioning that

there is a budget option that isn't crap even if it is made in China. Some cannot afford the $450 for an All-Clad.

[Le Taz Hot]

9. And I appreciate your suggestion and

you're right, I can't afford $450.00 for ONE pot. A whole set maybe.

[spinbaby]

10. I have that very stock pot

I bought it for about $200 complete with pasta insert at the All Clad factory sale. If you're within striking distance, the factory sale happens the first weekend of June and December at the Washington County, PA fairgrounds.

[pengillian101]

11. I like to look at Ebay before shopping elsewhere.

Here's a link to new made in the USA pots. Hope you find something you like at a reasonable price. You can also narrow the items to just show "buy it now", located along the left-most column if you don't like the bidding process.

Good luck.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_from=R40&_nkw=stock+pot&LH_PrefLoc=1&_dcat=20628&rt=nc&LH_ItemCondition=3

[sir pball]

12. Check a restaurant supply store

I appreciate, and pay a hefty premium, for good cookware (I'm still saving for that Mauviel copper set..), but a stockpot is ideally be thin - you should never be doing any delicate simmering or any other work that needs a heavy, even bottom. You actually want something relatively flimsy for maximum heat transmission; all of ours at work are plain stainless steel. As for finding one made in the USA, while I totally appreciate it and actually have all All-Clad laminate at home, the "industrial" stuff is pretty much all foreign made on the basis of sheer economics. Doesn't make sense to pay the American premium for machine-spun sheet metal pots.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

13. I have All Clad cookware. It is the best ! But, bought it with Diners Club

points.

I never knew it was made in the US. cool.