OK - stupid question for the day.
My pot and pans are are not marked with how big they are. My thought is that I can measure how much water fits in the pot... but that seems ridiculously simple. Is that how you do it? For skillets you just measure across, right? So, 8" across would be an 8" skillet???
Or is there some sort of tricky formula.... like with a TV where you have measure from corner to corner.... except pots don't have corners!!!!!!!!!!!!
On a side note..... I want to buy a stock pot. Specifically will be for cooking pasta. The one I have is too small (I'd tell you how big the one I currently have is, but, well... I don't know!!!!!!) It's pretty small, though.
What size stockpot is best? I've seen a few on Amazon for good prices, but without knowing what size they are compared to what I have... I'm scared to order!!!!!
Oh you would love my husband. He got out his CAD program to determine the size of a pot he bought. Granted that sucker is 68 gallons and doesn't fit on a stove (brewing).
Are you good at math? Volume is pi times radius squared times height. :)
So, for measuring the sizes of pots and pans:
Pots are measured by the amount of fluid they can reasonably hold; pans are measured by the diameter of the surface of the bottom of the pan. Volume for the former, diameter for the latter.
If you want to buy a pot for cooking pasta, may I suggest a pasta cooker? I love mine and I've had it for years. You can buy a stock pot and a pasta insert, or for an inexpensive option, I've got something like this:
http://www.wayfair.com/Vinaroz-4-Piece-Steamer-Pot-Pasta-...
That one is about $60 and cheap, which mine was as well (I've had it for 20 years BTW). There are more expensive ones too. I like the extra steamer basket as well and have used it many times for artichokes or lots of veggies. I've made pasta for up to about 6 people in it... it gets a bit cramped, but does turn out. Plus, if you put the insert in before filling, you can add in a couple more quarts than you might otherwise. The best thing is that if you need to make a lot of pasta, set a kettle of water on to boil while you boil your first batch of pasta. Strain pasta, dump into a warm bowl, return insert to still-boiling pot and then add any extra water you need from the kettle so you don't lose your boil and voila! ready for round two (or three, or four)... Don't forget to salt the water as well.
Go to Target or Walmart and just buy a "stock pot." That is what they are called. One size around $15.
Thanks for the question, if only to get a mathematical answer on here! I've only heard of measuring by the name of the pot, like a quart or 2 quart pot.
I should have remembered that pi would be good for SOMETHING other than at school!
I have poured water into pots and then measured how many cups of water. I also have used a ruler for the skillets.
We cook pasta in a small pot. I know you aren't supposed to, but we only cook tiny amounts of pasta and I hate wasting the gas to heat up a gallon of water when 2 pints will do.
I fill measuring cups with water and see how many fill the pot.
There are 3 sizes that are used most. One is the 1 gallon, it's okay for a smaller family. The next common size is 3 gallons. I think this size is plenty big for any size family that has less than 15 people.
Just fill about half to 2/3's full and get it boiling. That takes some time since there is so much water but the water will cover the pasta and allow it to move round while cooking and not stick together.
The other size is 5 gallons. That's huge. I've made Onion Soup in them for some of the dinners I have made for over 100, so as you can see they hold a lot of fluids....lol.
They're not very effective for home use.
So if I were going to go and look for a new stock pot I'd buy the 3 gallon and the 1 gallon sizes. Then for smaller jobs use the 1 gallon size and for pasta that you want to have a lot of room use the larger one.
Also if I were looking for a stock pot I'd buy one that had rubber type material on the handles. Since foods in this size pot takes longer to boil then cook the handles get super hot. If you'd rather not have to hunt up the pot holders get the handles that are coated with a rubber like substance so they are not too hot.
Stock pots are usually marked in quart size so if you get
4 quart = 1 gal
8 quart = 2 gal
12 quart = 3 gal
Anything over 12 quart size gets hard to work or handle by yourself.
I have one that is bigger and when it is full it is very hard to move about (I use it to make soap) and have to make sure nothing and no one is in my way when I pick it up and pour its contents out.
A good stainless steel pot will get you through much. An aluminum one might pit and leave small holes in the pot over time and use with acids like spaghetti sauce and such.
Good luck in your search. You might pay a bit more but you will have the pot for many years to come to make soups as well as cook spaghetti noodles.
the other S.
