Buying a stockpot (quality, but best value)

blizeH

Hi guys,

I'm after a stockpot and have had my head turned by the Le Creuset ones - very costly, and very heavy, but a lot of people swear by them and it seems they'll last you for life.

But in an attempt to avoid the cost, I'm looking around at alternatives, the Circulon Infinite in particular looks fantastic, a lot lighter than Le Creuset, half the price, has great reviews and also comes with a life time warranty.

Tesco do one for half the price again which is also tempting, especially when you consider the reviews, but I'm very wary having been caught out by Tesco's cookware before, and it needing to be replaced very shortly after buying - the idea that the other two come with a warranty for life leads me to believe they're going to last a lot longer.

Would really welcome any feedback and opinions before I potentially waste a lot of money on something that I could get a much cheaper but similar product, or before I spend money on something that won't last and I'll end up buying the expensive one anyway

Thanks

hilstep2000

I have Le Creuset casseroles, and wouldn't use anything else. You can get them on Ebay too.

jaybee

I'll second Le Creuset. They are expensive but Amazon and other places have them at good prices if you keep looking. A few years ago I went to a shopping outlet village (in Somerset) where there was a Le Creuset shop. They had both new and 'seconds' - wish I'd had enough money then!

Harts of Stur is another place where they have regular bargains in Le Creuset.

Mayflower10cat

I'd hazard a guess that the weight of a Le Creuset stockpot must be quite considerable, especially when filled with liquid! I've got a mixture of Circulon and Meyer stainless steel pots and pans and I could do with a bigger casserole or stockpot, maybe this one
http://www.tesco.com/direct/meyer-select-stainless-steel-24cm-stockpot/210-6449.prd?skuId=210-6449&pageLevel=&sc_cmp=pcp_GSF__210-6449 Not so heavy as Le Creuset and with my ceramic tiled floor, I think I'll go for this!
Drooling - kitchen eyecandy!!!

PixieDust

We have one which was bought off our local market. It was ordered in specially, and is made entirely of stainless steel. We've had it for about four years and not a mark on it; it cost around £20.

The Le Creuset pot is beautiful but very heavy, and I think that when full of hot stock or soup I would find it unwieldy.

joedenise

I have the Meyer stockpot, in fact I think mine is a 26cm one rather 24cm. Had it for 10 years + now and still in very good condition, although not as well used as the normal sized saucepans.

Denise

Mayflower10cat

joedenise wrote: »

I have the Meyer stockpot, in fact I think mine is a 26cm one rather 24cm. Had it for 10 years + now and still in very good condition, although not as well used as the normal sized saucepans.

Denise

Denise, would you recommend it? I'm really keen to buy one but have to convince DH that it's worth it!

blizeH

Thank you all very much for the responses! There is a Le Creuset outlet very nearby which is tempting, but reading about how heavy they are (both on here and other reviews) it's somewhat off-putting...

The Meyer one looks very good too, although it doesn't have the good reviews that the similar Circulon one has, nor the lifetime warranty (by the way, the Meyer one you linked is a lot cheaper on Amazon!)

kitschy

I was lucky enough to be given a Le Creuset one as a wedding gift, and I loved it.......until I used it! I might be a total weakling, but I couldn't lift it at all when it was full, let alone tilt it to pour or drain anything! So it became a bit ornamental really, and I ended up getting a stainless steel one.

I must confess to occasionally decanting into the Le Creuset if we were entertaining and making my ex-hub carry it through to the dining room as it was so pretty!

angeltreats

I use a 6 litre pressure cooker for a stockpot, and my big jam pan if I need something bigger.

If I was going to buy one, I definitely wouldn't be looking at Le Creuset. As lovely as they are, it would be a nightmare to lift when full! Something good quality and stainless steel with a good heavy base would be ideal - that Meyer one looks very nice.

babyshoes

As much as I love my Le Creuset casserole, I wouldn't consider it for a stock pot - even the casserole when full is pretty heavy!

Definitely go for something lighter like good quality stainless steel. My current stock pot is a cheapy and I have managed to burn soup in the past... One day I will get a decent quality one!