A lot of factors come into play when determining what is considered a heavy bottom pot.
A heavy bottom pot is weighty and made of different materials such as stainless steel, copper, and aluminum. The heavy base enables it to absorb and distribute heat evenly. This means a heavy bottomed saucepan is perfect for making foods with dairy content like fudge.
Here we give you our honest reviews of the top 5 heavy bottomed pots:
- 5-Quart Stainless Steel Stock Pot
- Misen 8 QT Nonstick StockPot
- Le Creuset Toughened Nonstick PRO Saucepan With Glass Lid
- Le Creuset Toughened Nonstick PRO Stockpot With Glass Lid
- Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Dutch Oven
So keep reading to find out more about what defines a saucepan as having a heavy base, as well as what this type of pot is suitable for.
What types of material are heavy bottomed pots made from?
For heavy bottomed pots to work efficiently, certain types of material are considered in their construction. One of these types of material is cast iron, which enables these saucepans to handle high heat with ease leading to superior heat retention. Others are stainless steel or those with an enamel coating.
Most heavy bottomed pans come with glass lids and are recommended for cooking delicate dishes on a medium heat.
Stainless steel cookware
Cookware made of stainless steel is arguably the most versatile. That is because it does not react to acidic and alkaline foods.
Also, the fact that stainless steel is a tasteless cooking material means that by using a stainless steel pot, you will not alter the flavor of your food.
Plus, this material is resistant to dents and scratches not to mention being both dishwasher-friendly and oven-safe -so perfect for home chefs who like to whip up a storm in the kitchen.
Enamel
A heavy bottomed pot made of enamel is a good buy. But, unlike stainless steel, the enamel is not a type of material used to make pots.
Instead, it is a coating applied to a heavy bottomed saucepan once it (the saucepan) has been made.
This explains why there are enameled cast iron, enameled stainless steel, and enameled aluminum pots, among others.
The reason why enamel is universally accepted is that it makes heavy bottomed pots extremely easy to clean. Enamel also offers high heat resistance, plus it is versatile.
In a nutshell, an enameled heavy bottomed saucepan is super convenient to use.
How thick should a saucepan be?
The general rule of thumb when it comes to determining the thickness of a heavy bottom pan is that “the thicker, the better”.
However, you do not want to settle on an overly thick heavy bottomed saucepan that will take ages to heat and get ready for cooking.
You always want to find the right balance, which is to say, a cooking pot that is neither too thick nor too thin.
With that said, you should pick a heavy bottom pan whose thickness is roughly 5mm. Such a cooking pot is of high quality, meaning it is somewhat resistant to dints.
This pan also heats evenly, thereby, making it very much possible to make super delicious meals.
Differences between light saucepans vs heavy bottomed saucepans
The difference between a lightweight saucepan and a heavy bottom pan is brought about by the construction of these pans.
You see, there are three-ply, five-ply, and seven-ply cooking pans.
A three-ply saucepan has three layers that comprise a layer of aluminum or copper sandwiched between stainless steel.
Five-ply is made of two additional interior layers of a metal that conducts heat, while seven-ply has four extra layers of the same metal and is noticeably thicker.
Most heavy bottomed pots are in the categories of five-ply and seven-ply. Well, this comes with lots of advantages, especially when you look at the distribution of heat.
While light saucepans offer better heat conduction than their heavy-duty counterparts, they are not so good at distributing it and normally have hot spots.
Heavy bottomed pots, on the other hand, distribute heat uniformly.
When should you use a heavy bottom pot?
Whether a heavy bottomed pot is made of stainless steel, copper, or aluminum, its uses always remain unchanged.
That is because, despite the material used, these cooking pans and pots are always thicker at the base, which means they absorb and then distribute heat uniformly.
It is this even distribution of heat that makes a heavy bottomed saucepan ideal for cooking delicate items such as custards, sugar, and eggs.
Besides, heavy bottomed pots come in handy for cooking fine sauces (such as hollandaise sauce) or when you want to use dairy in your cooking.
Why are Heavy Bottomed Pots Best for Making Fudge?
As mentioned earlier, a heavy bottomed saucepan distributes heat evenly; hence, it has no hot spots. This also means the chances of your food burning are down to zero.
Fudges can be made in nearly any kind of cookware. However, if you use the wrong pot, then you should expect to have a hard time making a wonderful fudge.
As opposed to heavy bottomed pots, lightweight pans tend to produce high heat. Now, you will not have the easiest of times dealing with sugar at such high temperatures.
That is why you need a heavy bottomed pan as opposed to a thin pot, that keeps the temperature stable, thereby, preventing chocolate and sugar from reacting poorly.
Top 5 heavy bottom pots
So let’s take a look at the best heavy bottomed pots on the market today.
5-Quart Stainless Steel Stock Pot
The Newraturner Stainless Steel Cookware not only has a large capacity of five quarts, but also weighs 4.5 pounds. Combine both of these features and you have a wonderful heavy bottomed saucepan for making fudge.
Moreover, this stock pot comes with a lid that further improves its versatility. The lid is made of solid tempered glass; therefore, expect it to stand the test of time. The pot also has ergonomic handles made of stainless steel.
Misen 8 QT Nonstick StockPot
The large capacity makes this heavy bottom pan perfect for making liquid-based foods in large quantities. But that is not the only reason to buy this pan.
Also, we find the premium nonstick coating amazing. The DuPont Platinum Coating is three-layered and contains no PFOA.
Needless to say, the pan is the best for making fudge.
The ergonomic handle is another feature worth talking about. It offers a comfortable, more secure grip, plus it remains cool to the touch during cooking.
Le Creuset Toughened Nonstick PRO Saucepan With Glass Lid
This Le Creuset Heavy Bottomed Saucepan is equipped with a new, exciting feature; the triple-reinforced surface.
The surface is four times stronger compared to what used to be there.
It is also PFOA-free for peace of mind when making fudge.
The saucepan also boasts a textured interior that makes it suitable for searing and browning. Plus, the well-thought-out interior is easy to wipe clean once you are done using the pan, making it easy maintenance.
Le Creuset Toughened Nonstick PRO Stockpot With Glass Lid
The stay-cool ergonomic handles of this heavy bottom pot provide unparalleled comfort during cooking.
Another reason why this nonstick stockpot is considered one of the best is that it is compatible with all cooktops.
The stockpot is also oven-safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, while its lid is oven-safe up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
What’s more, this cookware is dishwasher-safe for quick, easy cleaning. Plus, it is designed in such a way that metal utensils cannot damage it.
Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Dutch Oven
Heavy bottom pots made of cast iron are as good as those made of stainless steel. That is why we highly recommend the Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven. It distributes heat evenly and retains it beautifully to ensure outstanding results.
Besides, this round Dutch oven requires no seasoning, which makes it a great purchase for someone that is always busy.
Conclusion
Thicker is always better when it comes to a heavy bottom pot.
The heavy base ensures even heat distribution. And this is great, especially if you love to make fudge at home.
Thinking of upgrading your fudge making equipment? Read our product recommendations here: