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    Learn More About Cooking Pots

    Pots are an essential piece of home cookware that come in a range of options and sizes for all your cooking needs. The two main types of pots that will allow you to make almost any recipe are sauce pots and stock pots.


    • Sauce pots: Small and versatile, sauce pots (also called saucepans), feature a wide bottom for excellent heat conduction and tall sides for holding large quantities of food. They are ideal for slow cooking and simmering sauces and soups.
    • Stock pots: The workhorse of the kitchen, large stock pots are used to prepare large amounts of stock, soups, vegetables, pasta, seafood, and more. Many avid entertainers swear by a stainless steel stock pot when they need to cook for a crowd.

    Some specialty pots are designed for specific cooking tasks. Here are a few common ones that come in handy in the kitchen.


    • Dutch oven pots: Dutch ovens are wide and shallow pots used for simmering, searing, and braising. They are also oven-safe for baking.
    • Double boiler pots: A double boiler has an inner and outer pot. The outer pot boils water while the inner pot cooks food using the steam. Double boiler pots are often used for melting chocolate.
    • Fondue pots: Fondue is a communal pot of melted cheese (or sometimes chocolate) for dipping bread and fruit into. Fondue sets include the pot and long-handled forks for each guest to use.

    Pots are made of many different materials, each with its own unique benefits.


    • Copper: Copper pots are an enduringly popular option for their fantastic heat conduction and distribution, which ensures that the food heats evenly with less sticking and burning. They also have an attractive reddish color.
    • Cast iron: Cast iron pots are known for their superior heat retention, which cooks food evenly and helps it stay warmer for longer. They are often used for oven-to-table serving.
    • Enamel: Enamel pots come in many colors you can match to your kitchen design. They are also naturally non-stick, easy to clean, and highly resistant to scratches and stains.
    • Stainless steel: Stainless steel pots are lightweight, versatile, and easy to clean. Their affordability makes them great for stocking a kitchen and their durability ensures long-term use.

    Vintage pots are as decorative as they are functional. Many cooks like to store them on open shelves when not in use to give their kitchens some extra character. Etsy shops sell vintage pots in every style, from chic ceramic pots in mid-century modern designs to beautiful vintage copper pots that have long been a favorite of home and professional cooks.

    Camping pots, also known as bush pots, are a great addition to your camp kitchen. These heavy-duty pots are designed to be held directly over the flames of your campfire, and many come with their own stands to give your arms a break. Use them to heat up water for your morning coffee or to make delicious soups and stews to feed your hungry fellow campers after a day of outdoor adventuring.