The Budget-Friendly Stainless Steel Stockpot I’ll Be Using All Fall and Winter
When you’re whipping up a delicious meal, you want to work with the best ingredients, of course, but the vessel you cook in matters just as much. I’ve tested cookware professionally for years (in restaurants, with my own doughnut business, and here at Kitchn), so trust me when I say that if you invest in some pieces that promise quality and durability, it’ll make all the difference in your cooking experience. Personally, I save up and purchase top-notch items even if it means I wince a little at the price tag (and I always have my eyes open for good deals!). While I may have fewer total pieces in my cookware arsenal, I rejoice in the fact that I can trust them to get any and every job done.
When I stumbled across the DTC cookware brand Goldilocks, I thought it must be too good to be true. The products are simple in design just like the tried and true cookware I’ve used for decades, but they cost a mere fraction of the price (which, at risk of sounding bougie, is why I was skeptical). The company crafts a wide selection of tri-ply stainless steel pots, pans, and sets that are safe for induction ranges, conventional ovens, and dishwashers. I tested the 8-Quart Stock Pot to see if it lived up to the hype. The verdict? Aptly named, Goldilocks is just right (for all my cooking needs, that is).
In true direct-to-consumer fashion, Goldilocks can sell its wares at an incredibly affordable price point just by cutting out the middlemen. The company makes premium pieces using superior techniques and without any mysterious coatings or materials. All of their cookware is comprised of three layers: an aluminum core sandwiched between stainless steel. The body is lightweight and easy to maneuver, and the surface quickly and efficiently distributes and retains heat.
I recently moved, and in doing so, I abandoned my gas stovetop for an induction. Because of my background in restaurants, I’ve always felt iffy about electric stovetops, but having my Goldilocks with me made the transition much easier. Unlike some of my other pots and pans, my trusty Goldilocks stock pot heated up quickly and evenly, without scorching the bottoms of my caramelized onions. Water boils beautifully, and soups have a consistent temperature all the way through, two things I found hard to achieve on induction in other pots. Thanks to this beauty, I’m ready for fall and winter cooking.
The pot is simultaneously large enough for me to make a huge batch of plum jam and compact enough to stow it away in my cabinet. Its handles are wide and easy to hold — a total lifesaver when draining pasta — and the lid fits tightly, retaining moisture when I use it in the oven (it’s safe up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit) for braises and the like.
Now, while a similarly sized stock pot from another brand may cost around $200, this one is just $75 — and I can not find one bad thing to about it! Whether you follow my lead and opt for their stock pot or go all in on the Cookware Set Plus (eight pieces for $225), I have a hunch that you’ll have your true Goldilocks moment, just like I did.
Buy: 8-Quart Stock Pot, $75