One of the most important and most frequently used items of all your outdoor cooking equipment is your stockpot. It therefore really makes good sense to buy a good one and to see it as an important investment in your outdoor kitchen.
The size and quality of both stainless steel and aluminum stockpots vary enormously . Deciding which to go for and what sizes you want to buy are the 2 key questions needing answering first off.
You are going to need a few stockpots so buy with that in mind. Don't go with the idea that one size fits all. If a set of 2 or 3 stockpots is going to be too expensive today buy the size that you think that you are going to use the most and then buy more when funds permit.
Stockpots come in an extensive range of sizes starting at 8 quarts, okay for small scale cooking going up to 162 quarts! If youre looking to do some serious outdoor cooking for friends and family then youre going to need larger pots.
If its a larger stockpot you want then you have plenty to chose from. For example in the Bayou Classic range pots range from: 24 to 36 to 44 to 62 to 82, 102, to 122, to 142 quarts going right up to a 162 quart stainless steel stock pot. Do remember when cooking outdoors that the larger your stockpot the more powerful the burner you'll need.
So you want to buy a stockpot? Here are ten essential tips:
1. Aluminum is lighter in weight; it heats evenly & quickly without heat spots; it will cost less size for size than stainless steel;but on the down side it easily dents, is harder to clean and doesn't look quite 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 a stockpot, particularly if buying a large one, ensure that its made from the highest standard of commercial grade stainless steel or aluminum appropriate for that size of pot; also make sure the same applies to the basket you buy to go with it;
5. Your stock pot should have an indention just below the top of the pot to hold the basket off the bottom of the pot when steaming;
6. Make sure you select a pot with a thick base; this is where you'll get wear, especially with poorer grade aluminum pots;
7. Make sure the lid fits well, which means snugly and tightly; and make sure the pot has a tidy rim that makes pouring easy;
8. Chose a stockpot with well designed, secure, good quality, spacious handles. Poor quality rivets & small handles are no good as you'll be lifting some very hot liquids bearing considerable weight!
9. Worry not 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 very 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 stockpot;
10. Finally you won't find a good quality range of stockpots in the local hardware store. You might find one or two pots from 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 and a good selection from each at a cookware specialty store you're likely to be paying far more than if you buy online.
The size and quality of both stainless steel and aluminum stockpots vary enormously . Deciding which to go for and what sizes you want to buy are the 2 key questions needing answering first off.
You are going to need a few stockpots so buy with that in mind. Don't go with the idea that one size fits all. If a set of 2 or 3 stockpots is going to be too expensive today buy the size that you think that you are going to use the most and then buy more when funds permit.
Stockpots come in an extensive range of sizes starting at 8 quarts, okay for small scale cooking going up to 162 quarts! If youre looking to do some serious outdoor cooking for friends and family then youre going to need larger pots.
If its a larger stockpot you want then you have plenty to chose from. For example in the Bayou Classic range pots range from: 24 to 36 to 44 to 62 to 82, 102, to 122, to 142 quarts going right up to a 162 quart stainless steel stock pot. Do remember when cooking outdoors that the larger your stockpot the more powerful the burner you'll need.
So you want to buy a stockpot? Here are ten essential tips:
1. Aluminum is lighter in weight; it heats evenly & quickly without heat spots; it will cost less size for size than stainless steel;but on the down side it easily dents, is harder to clean and doesn't look quite 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 a stockpot, particularly if buying a large one, ensure that its made from the highest standard of commercial grade stainless steel or aluminum appropriate for that size of pot; also make sure the same applies to the basket you buy to go with it;
5. Your stock pot should have an indention just below the top of the pot to hold the basket off the bottom of the pot when steaming;
6. Make sure you select a pot with a thick base; this is where you'll get wear, especially with poorer grade aluminum pots;
7. Make sure the lid fits well, which means snugly and tightly; and make sure the pot has a tidy rim that makes pouring easy;
8. Chose a stockpot with well designed, secure, good quality, spacious handles. Poor quality rivets & small handles are no good as you'll be lifting some very hot liquids bearing considerable weight!
9. Worry not 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 very 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 stockpot;
10. Finally you won't find a good quality range of stockpots in the local hardware store. You might find one or two pots from 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 and a good selection from each at a cookware specialty store you're likely to be paying far more than if you buy online.
About the Author:
Stephen Kember is an expert on outdoor cooking . He operates 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 hugely reduced.
No comments:
Post a Comment