Stock Pot Sizes
Stok pots have a long list of functions in commercial kitchens, including cooking soups, broths, stews, braised meats, grains, and sauces. They're ideal for simmering, boiling, steaming, and more. Measured by their total capacity, stock pots range from 3 to 200 quarts, offering nearly as many different sizes as they do applications.
Stock Pot Size Chart
| Size | Capacity (qts.) | Best Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 3-8 | Reducing sauces and glazes, small soup portions |
| Medium | 9-12 | Making soups, jams, stock; braising meat |
| Large | 13-20 | Cooking grains, soups and stews in bulk |
| Extra large | 20+ | Boiling seafood, blanching vegetables, meal prep |
Stock Pot Sizes Explained
Small Stock Pots
Compact for precise recipes
Stock pots between 3 and 8 quarts are often found in both high-end restaurants and small operations. Holding up to 2 gallons, these pots are best for reducing sauces, glazes, and cooking small soup batches in sandwich shops or cafes.
Medium Stock Pots
Everyday use at small scale
Medium stock pots range from 9 to 12 quarts and are useful for routine tasks like making daily soups, pasta batches, and braised meat. They also work for ingredient prep tasks, including cooking jams, vegetables, and stock.
Large Stock Pots
Ideal for high-volume operations
Stock pots holding 13 to 20 quarts are typical in busy restaurants and cafeterias. They're great for cooking bulk portions of grains, soup, stew, and more.
Extra Large Stock Pots
Best for catering, large events, and soup kitchens
Extra large stock pots hold 20 quarts or more, with some accommodating up to 200 quarts. These pots are usually heated on dedicated stock pot burners to cook large soup or broth batches, seafood boils, or bulk vegetables.
How to Choose the Right Stock Pot
Types of Stock Pots
Most stock pots share a common design, but a few factors set some stock pots apart:
- Induction Pots: Enable operation on efficient induction burners
- Stainless Steel Pots: Durable with excellent heat retention
- Aluminum Pots: Provide fast conduction for high-heat cooking
- Mixed Metal Pots: Stainless steel with an aluminum core for durability and heat transfer
- Pot Lids: Ensure proper steaming and braising
- Faucet Pots: Pour liquids from the bottom for simple drainage
Stock Pot Shopping Factors
Look at the following factors when considering which stock pot size to buy:
- Cooking Volume: High-volume establishments require larger stock pots
- Menu: Operations serving soups, scratch-made items, and dishes with sauce will need several stock pots of various sizes
- Special Occasions: Extra large stock pots are useful for lobster boils, soup kitchens, and large events
Stock Pot Sizing FAQ
What is the standard stock pot size?
Standard stock pot sizes in commercial kitchens range from 8 to 20 quarts. These pots handle most simmering, boiling, and reducing tasks.
Is a 12-quart stock pot too big?
Typically the largest size found in residential kitchens, 12-quart pots can handle most commercial tasks. While too large for certain sauce cooking, glazing, and reducing tasks, they're too small for bulk boiling and other large-scale prep tasks.
What is a 12-quart stock pot used for?
12-quart stock pots are versatile cookware used for making soups, braising meats, cooking pasta, and more.
What size pot is best for making bone broth?
The best pot for making bone broth depends on how much you want to make. For large, multi-gallon batches, choose pots 12 quarts or larger. If you only need about a gallon, choose a pot between 5 and 8 quarts.
How can I tell what size my stock pot is?
You can tell the size of your stock pot with several methods:
- Fill it to the top with a quart measuring cup to determine its volume
- Measure its dimensions, calculate volume (volume = π x r2 x height), and convert cubic inches to quarts (1 quart = 57.75 in.3).
- Check the pot itself; some stock pots have their size written on them
Shop Stock Pots at KaTom
Whether you need to replace a 12-quart stock pot or are looking for a new set, KaTom offers top brands in every stock pot size. Browse our stock pots to find one that meets your needs.
