Winco 32 qt Stainless Steel Stock Pot review: big-batch cooking, restaurant style

Winco 32 qt Stock Pot at a glance

First impressions of the Winco 32 qt Stock Pot

Some cooking jobs simply need a bigger pot.

A proper batch of stock, chili for a party or a seafood boil for a crowd will overwhelm an ordinary household pot in minutes.

That is where the Winco 32 qt Stainless Steel Stock Pot comes in.

My first impression was the size.

At 32 quarts, it is a serious piece of equipment, closer to what you see in a restaurant kitchen than in most home cupboards.

It looks the part, too: plain brushed stainless steel, a lid, two sturdy side handles and no decoration.

Winco is a well-known supplier of commercial kitchen equipment, and this pot is built for daily use in restaurants and institutions.

That practical, durable design is exactly why it appeals to me for home batch cooking.

I appreciate the practical idea behind it.

Its generous capacity makes it suitable for soup, stock, chili, pasta, seafood boils and other meals that would quickly overwhelm a smaller pot.

The stainless steel construction offers a durable, traditional cooking surface without the special handling some coated cookware needs.

And the large interior gives you room to combine ingredients and stir them without constantly worrying about spills.

It is the kind of pot you buy once and keep for a very long time.

At 32 quarts, the Winco is built for big batches.

What the Winco 32 qt Stock Pot actually is

This is a 32-quart stainless steel stock pot with a cover, model SST-32.

Winco says it is made from heavy-duty 18/8 stainless steel with thick walls and a reinforced rim.

The base is tri-ply, with an aluminum core sandwiched between layers of stainless steel.

That encapsulated base spreads heat more evenly across the bottom of the pot than thin stainless alone.

Winco lists it as induction compatible, dishwasher safe and NSF certified.

NSF certification is common for commercial kitchen equipment and relates to food safety and sanitation standards.

Size

Retailers list the diameter at about 14.25 inches and the height at about 11.75 inches.

Amazon lists the weight at about 14 pounds, empty.

That is a substantial pot before you add a single ingredient.

Handles and lid

Two side handles give you a secure grip when moving the pot.

The Amazon listing describes them as dual riveted handles.

The lid is included, which is worth confirming with any stock pot, because some commercial pots are sold without one.

Winco 32 qt Stock Pot cooking performance

Stock and broth

This is the pot's natural job.

The generous interior gives you room for bones, vegetables and plenty of water for homemade broth.

A long, gentle simmer is what makes good stock, and the thick base helps keep that simmer steady.

Soups, chili and stews

For big batches of soup, chili or stew, the wide base and tall walls give you room to combine ingredients and stir without spilling.

I can make enough for a gathering, or enough to freeze in portions for weeks.

Pasta for a crowd

Boiling substantial amounts of pasta needs a lot of water, and this pot has it.

More water means the temperature drops less when you add the pasta, so it cooks more evenly.

Seafood boils and corn

Crab, shrimp, corn and potatoes all fit with room to spare.

That makes it a natural choice for summer gatherings and family celebrations.

Heating

The tri-ply base helps spread heat, but physics still applies.

A pot this size holds a lot of water, and bringing it to a boil takes time and a strong burner.

A large burner that covers most of the base gives the best results.

On a small burner, the center heats faster than the edges, and the boil takes much longer.

The Winco works on induction as well as gas and electric.

Handling a full 32-quart pot safely

This is the most important practical point about any pot this size.

A full 32-quart stock pot becomes extremely heavy and difficult to move safely.

Water weighs a little over 8 pounds per gallon, and 32 quarts is 8 gallons.

That is more than 60 pounds of liquid before you count the pot and the food.

So I plan where to fill it and avoid carrying it when it is full of hot liquid.

My approach

• Put the pot on the burner first, then fill it there with a pitcher or a hose-style faucet.
• Do not fill it to the brim; leave room for ingredients and for the boil.
• Ladle or pour off liquid into smaller containers before trying to move it.
• Strain stock in batches rather than lifting the whole pot over a colander.
• Use both handles, oven mitts and a clear path if you must move it.

It is also worth checking that your stovetop and the grate can support the weight of a full pot safely.

This is not a criticism of the Winco.

It is simply what owning a 32-quart pot involves.

Winco stock pot design and build

The Winco has a plain commercial design.

The brushed stainless finish hides small scratches well and does not need polishing.

The walls are thick, and the reinforced rim keeps the pot from denting easily.

That durability is a big part of the appeal of stainless steel over coated cookware.

There is no special coating to look after, and you can use metal utensils without worry.

The handles sit on the sides of the pot, and they give a secure grip for adjusting its position on the burner.

On a long simmer, metal handles can get hot, so I keep a pair of oven mitts nearby.

The lid sits on top to keep steam in and speed up heating.

A plain commercial design with sturdy side handles and a lid.

Cleaning the Winco 32 qt Stock Pot

Winco lists the pot as dishwasher safe.

In a home kitchen, though, a 32-quart pot often will not fit in the dishwasher, and it may not fit easily in the sink either.

I find it easiest to clean it promptly after use, before residue dries.

A soak in hot, soapy water loosens most food, and a non-scratch scrubber does the rest.

Cleaning promptly helps keep it looking good and prevents stubborn residue from building up.

Stainless steel can show white mineral spots or a rainbow tint over time.

A splash of white vinegar or a stainless steel cleaner takes care of that.

For burnt-on food, simmering water with a little baking soda helps lift it.

Dry it fully before storing to avoid water spots.

What to check before buying

Before ordering a pot this big, I would check a few things.

Your cooktop

Make sure your largest burner can heat a 14-inch base.

For induction, the Winco is listed as compatible, but check that your hob's zone suits a pot this wide.

Storage

At about 14 inches across and nearly 12 inches tall, it needs a big cupboard or a shelf in the pantry or garage.

Your sink

Measure your sink if you plan to wash it there.

The lid and handles

This listing includes a cover.

Check that the handle design suits how you plan to lift and move it.

Who will lift it

Think about who in your household will handle it, and whether a smaller pot would be safer for everyday use.

Check your burner, storage and sink size before buying a pot this large.

How I make a big batch of stock in it

Stock is the job that justifies a pot this size, so here is the routine that works for me.

Roast first

Roasting bones and vegetables in the oven before they go in the pot adds deep color and flavor.

Chicken carcasses, beef bones, onions, carrots and celery are the classic base.

Cold water start

Put the bones in the pot on the burner, then cover them with cold water.

Starting cold helps draw out flavor and gives clearer stock.

Gentle simmer

Bring it up slowly and keep it at a lazy simmer, not a rolling boil.

Skim off foam in the first hour.

The thick base of the Winco helps keep that simmer steady over many hours.

Add vegetables later

Vegetables and herbs go in for the last couple of hours so they do not turn bitter.

Strain in stages

Ladle the stock through a sieve into smaller pots or containers, rather than lifting the whole pot.

Cool quickly

Divide the stock into shallow containers and cool it fast before refrigerating or freezing.

A large pot of hot stock takes a long time to cool on its own, which is not ideal for food safety.

Home kitchen or commercial kitchen?

The Winco is built for commercial use, and that shows in its design.

In a restaurant, a 32-quart pot is a workhorse that gets used every day.

In a home kitchen, it is more of a specialist tool for big occasions and batch cooking.

That is not a bad thing.

Commercial-grade construction means it will handle years of use without denting, warping or wearing out.

It also means the design is plain and practical rather than pretty.

For hosts, caterers, community cooks and anyone who regularly cooks in larger quantities, it is a practical choice.

For people who prefer straightforward stainless steel equipment over smaller, more specialized pots, it fits well.

For everyday family meals, it is simply more pot than most people need.

Is the Winco 32 qt Stock Pot worth the money?

At the time of writing, the pot costs about $147 on Amazon.

For a commercial-grade 32-quart stainless pot with a tri-ply base and a lid, that is a fair price.

On Amazon, it has an average rating of about 4.6 out of 5 from more than 600 ratings at the time of writing.

The value depends entirely on how often you cook in large quantities.

If you host family gatherings, run a catering side business, cook for community events or batch cook for the freezer, it will earn its place.

If you cook for two on weeknights, it will sit in a cupboard most of the year.

For most home cooks, a 12 to 16-quart pot is a more practical everyday size.

The 32-quart is for people who already know they need a big pot.

Prices move, so check the current price on Amazon before you buy.

My tips for big-batch cooking

• Fill the pot on the stove, not at the sink.
• Use the lid to bring large volumes of water to a boil faster.
• Use your largest burner, centered under the pot.
• Brown meat and vegetables in batches in a frying pan, then add them to the pot.
• Cool stock quickly before refrigerating by dividing it into smaller containers.
• Ladle out portions instead of lifting the full pot.

What to cook in a 32-quart pot

Once you own a pot this size, it is surprising how many uses you find for it.

• A double batch of chili or bolognese for a party, with leftovers to freeze
• Chicken or beef stock for a month of soups and risottos
• A low-country or Cajun-style seafood boil with shrimp, sausage, corn and potatoes
• Several pounds of pasta for a family gathering
• Corn on the cob for a summer barbecue
• Large batches of tomato sauce at the end of summer
• Blanching big batches of vegetables before freezing
• Soup for a school, church or community event

It is also handy outside the kitchen for big jobs such as cooling drinks with ice at a party.

The common thread is volume.

If your cooking regularly involves feeding a crowd or filling the freezer, this pot will get plenty of use.

Winco 32 qt Stock Pot alternatives

If 32 quarts is more than you need, Winco makes the same style of pot in smaller sizes, such as 16 and 24 quarts.

If you mainly do seafood boils outdoors, an aluminum stock pot with a strainer basket and a propane burner is lighter and cheaper.

If you want a stock pot that matches a home cookware set, many tri-ply sets include an 8 to 12-quart pot.

And for very long simmers with less attention, a large slow cooker is another option, though at a much smaller capacity.

Winco 32 qt Stock Pot specifications

From Winco, retailer listings and the Amazon listing.

How I tested and scored the Winco 32 qt Stock Pot

I used the Winco 32 qt Stainless Steel Stock Pot for big-batch home cooking: stock, soup, chili and large pots of pasta.

I paid attention to four things, and each one gets its own subscore.

• Capacity (9.4): how much it holds and how well it handles big batches.
• Heating (8.2): how evenly the base spreads heat and how it behaves on different burners.
• Build quality (8.8): steel, walls, rim, handles and lid.
• Handling (6.8): weight, moving, storing and washing.

The overall score of 8.3 is an editorial rating. I also checked Winco's published specifications and retailer listings. BrasQ editor-in-chief Ryan Mitchell reviewed the facts and figures before publication.