
How big of a pot do you need to make stock?
Making stock requires long cooking over low heat so you want a pot that’s big enough to make large batches of stock at the same time sturdy enough to handle a long cooking duration. Stock pots typically come in sizes ranging as small as 6 qt. to as large as 20-qt. before getting into commercial sizes.
Should you fill the bottom of a pot with dirt?
If your pot sits on a structure such as a balcony or a deck, the weight of a dirt filled pot might create issues that could be significant. If you fill the bottom with some kind of lightweight material, you can save money and decrease the weight of a heavy pot.
How much filler should you put in a pot?
Because your filler should take up at least one-fourth to one-third of your pot, you need to make sure it's healthy for your pants and able to stand the test of time. Use materials that are inert, and that won't react with soil, recommends The University of Illinois.
How do you use a large stock pot for canning?
How to Use a Large Stock Pot for Canning. To do this, you’ll need two things: a large stock pot, deep enough to fully submerge your jars with an extra inch of water covering them, and a couple of kitchen towels or some extra canning rings.

Can you use a stock pot as a deep fryer?
Since peanut oil and sunflower oil have smoke points, these are two oils are popular to use for deep frying. Grab an Ecolution stock pot and fill it just under half way full. Make sure that the edges of the pot go at least 5 inches above the oil so you don't have a bunch of splatter.
What is the capacity of a stock pot?
The most common stock pot sizes are 6-quart, 8-quart, 12-quart, and 16-quart. They go up to 20-quart and beyond, but those sizes are primarily used in commercial kitchens.
How many quarts should a stock pot be?
For home use, stockpots come in a range of sizes, usually from 8 to 20 quarts (some commercial kitchens use massive 74-quart versions). For most home kitchen tasks, we think a 12-quart stockpot is an ideal size and large enough for making big batches of stock or sauce.
How big should a pot be for soup?
To get an idea of what size works best at home, use a(n): 4-quart to 6-quart sized pot for soup, chili, stew, curry, and pasta. 8-quart to 10-quart sized pot for poultry stock and vegetable stock. 10-quart to 16-quart sized pot for beef, pork, and game stock, steamed lobster, corn on the cob, and canning.
What size is the biggest stock pot?
A stockpot is typically the largest pot in the kitchen. You can buy them in sizes starting at 8 quarts, which is a fine size for cooking pasta, but for a great multipurpose, large pot, we recommend a 12-quart.
How do you calculate the capacity of a pot?
You find the volume V of a rectangular container by measuring its length (l), width (w) and height (h) and multiplying these quantities. You express the result in cubic units.
How big is a 12 quart stock pot?
Capacity:12 qt. Height:8 7/8 Inches. Top Diameter:10 Inches.
How big of a stock pot do I need for crab legs?
Although it would be a much more expensive route, if you're looking for a quality lifetime pot that is a lot more versatile, we'd suggest the 12-inch All-Clad Stockpot (an 8-quart stockpot would work as well) along with the professional steaming basket insert.
How big is a 10 qt stock pot?
Overall Dimensions: Top Diameter:10 Inches. Height:7 9/16 Inches. Capacity:10 qt.
What is the difference between a soup pot and a stock pot?
A soup pot has a heavier base to allow for thicker soup, whereas a stock pot has a thinner and lighter base. Since the ingredients needed to make soup tend to be much thicker, your soup pot's base must hold up in high heat.
What is the difference between stock pot and Dutch oven?
A Dutch oven will generally be circular or oval with sloping sides and have a tight-fitting lid. A stock pot, by comparison, is often taller and more square in shape, with straight sides and a loose-fitting lid.
What is the best pot for soup?
StockpotStockpot. For broth, a stockpot is the best option.
Handle with Care
Ceramic pots can be extremely heavy and are, of course, fragile. If moving a large ceramic pot, we suggest using a large dolly or ball cart. Wrap the pot in a blanket or other soft material so the ceramic is not coming in contact with metal on cart. Then secure with straps, rope or bungee cords.
Filling the Pots
Completely filling a large ceramic pot with soil can make it so heavy it is impossible to move. And, truly you do not need a large pot entirely filled with soil when planting annuals, so it’s also a waste of soil (and money!). We suggest filling 75% of the pot with “filler” and then 25% with soil.
Steps to Fill the Pots
We typically use empty plastic flower containers to help fill the pot. Place the containers upside down in the pot, so they do not fill with water. Stack the containers until the desired amount has been filled in pot.
Call the Experts
Ceramic pots are an amazing addition to any landscape. Please contact us at TLC for information on ceramic pots and annual flowers.
Stock Pot Sizes: Comparison Chart
Are you looking for a quick comparison of the different stock pot sizes?
Most Important Factors to Consider
Now that you know which sizes are available, let’s look at the factors to consider before you choose the right stock pot for your kitchen.
What Cookware Brands and Retailers Say
I reached out to several cookware brands and retailers to get their expert advice on picking the right stock pot size.
Bottom Line: What Stock Pot Size Do You Need?
Now that you know the key factors to consider, you should know what size pot is best for your needs.
What to look for in a good stock pot?
Making stock requires long cooking over low heat so you want a pot that's big enough to make large batches of stock at the same time sturdy enough to handle a long cooking duration.
What Do I Cook With
Personally, most of my pans are older Calphalon hard-anodized aluminum pans that are no longer on the market. I called Calphalon and spoke with an knowledgeable customer service person who told me these pans are still around in some specialty shops if I really wanted one.
What Is a Stock Pot?
A stock pot is a pot that is primarily used for preparing soup stock. If you ask what stock is in the first place: Stock is a soup and/or sauce base that most often includes bone and even various vegetables. It is usually designed for long and even simmering sessions. A stock pot is most likely to be the largest pot in your kitchen.
Features of Stock Pot
Stock pots are tall tools. Tall is good. Why? Because it is good to have a narrow surface to prevent the water from dissipating. Stock pot solves this problem in a way. However, if you’re a short person, too tall stock pots may turn into a nuisance. I am a pretty short person and tall stock pots give me a hard time in the kitchen.
Wrapping Up
A stock pot is a very versatile kitchen product. There are so many benefits of a stock pot that often one cannot resist to buy one right away. This’ll be the queen of your kitchen if you get the hang of its usage which is so simple! Since you now know the answer to “what is a stock pot?” and also what it does, you may want to give it a try.
How and Why?
Before you fill your planter, you’ll need to know how much soil your plant needs to grow. Generally, the bottom 1/4 to 1/3 of your planter will be filler. Research your plant online or ask your local garden center what the root depth of your plant is. You’ll want to have at least that much soil for your plant to grow.
Light Materials
Light materials are ideal if you want to decrease the weight of your planter. If you plan on moving it from one area to another or indoors and out, reducing the weight is a good idea. If you are using food or drink containers, be sure that you rinse them well before use. You don’t want to add food particles to your planter.
Heavy Filler Materials
If you don’t mind a heavy planter, or even prefer it to be heavy to reduce the risk of tipping, you can use heavier materials. These have the advantage of not settling or degrading over time, so it’s a good permanent solution.
Dos and Donts of Filling a Planter
Do ensure that your material will not negatively react with the soil or your plant. Avoid items that have chemicals or dye that will get into the soil. Avoid items that can introduce bacteria or biodegrade very quickly.
How to Plant in a Large Planter
You have your plant, your soil, and your filler materials. How you plant your plant will have an impact on its health, so it’s important to do it correctly. If the planter is previously used, you’ll want to wash it before using it. Make a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water and rinse out the pot to ensure there’s no mold or bacteria.
Preparing Your Pot
Before you add anything to your pot, you need to make sure it has at least one hole in the bottom to allow for adequate drainage. Even if you're adding materials to the bottom of your pot to help improve drainage, it's still a good idea to have a place for excess water to go.
Light Materials
If you have an especially big planter to fill, light, bulky materials are your best bet. Examples include plastic drink containers, milk jugs, crushed soda cans, foam packing materials and plastic or foam take-out containers.
Other Options
If you don't mind a heavier pot, you can use gravel, river rocks or broken pieces of pottery as filler in your planters. Lighter natural options include sphagnum moss, coconut fiber and sharp, gritty sand.
Tips for Using Filler
Because your filler should take up at least one-fourth to one-third of your pot, you need to make sure it's healthy for your pants and able to stand the test of time. Use materials that are inert, and that won't react with soil, recommends The University of Illinois.
Container shape
There are many different containers types on the market. In our potting soil calculator, you can select between three different shapes. It finds the volume according to the formulas:
How much soil do I need?
Let's imagine that you want to grow herbs. You have couple small flower pots, and you don't know how much soil do you need. Potting soil calculator can help in that problem:

Handle with Care
Filling The Pots
- Completely filling a large ceramic pot with soil can make it so heavy it is impossible to move. And, truly you do not need a large pot entirely filled with soil when planting annuals, so it’s also a waste of soil (and money!). We suggest filling 75% of the pot with “filler” and then 25% with soil. Annual flowers do not require deep soil for rooting...
Steps to Fill The Pots
- We typically use empty plastic flower containers to help fill the pot. Place the containers upside down in the pot, so they do not fill with water. Stack the containers until the desired amount h...
- Cover the filler. You can use a plastic bag (garbage bag, top soil bag) to cover the containers. This is helpful so the soil does not seep down through the plastic containers. Be sure to cut h…
- We typically use empty plastic flower containers to help fill the pot. Place the containers upside down in the pot, so they do not fill with water. Stack the containers until the desired amount h...
- Cover the filler. You can use a plastic bag (garbage bag, top soil bag) to cover the containers. This is helpful so the soil does not seep down through the plastic containers. Be sure to cut hole...
- Add your soil. We recommend pushing down on the soil and even watering the soil before adding flowers as it all needs to settle. Then add additional soil if necessary and plant your flowers. By...
Call The Experts
- Ceramic pots are an amazing addition to any landscape. Please contact us at TLC for information on ceramic pots and annual flowers.