Calphalon D812 Commercial Hard Anodized 12-Quart Stockpot with Lid

I have owned this pot for over 6 years, er now over 9 years and it gets used all the time. Coming from a professional resturant family, I knew about the Calphalon Commercial Hard Anodized line we used in the resturant-- and how they perform. So buying one for home use just meant saving up enough $$ to purchase it, but at this price I'm buying another one! They are well worth the money.

This pot is very user friendly as it can do everything from Soup, spagetti sauce to large batches of jelly and jam, or corn on the cob for a small army of diners. We've even used it to boil 2-3 small lobsters without a hitch.

THE FOLLOWING IS SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR CALPHALON'S HARD ANODIZED COOKWARE-- Not the non-stick.

A few other reviewers have mentioned a couple things I'd like to set straight.

1. NEVER EVER put this pot in the dishwasher. It will void the warranty. Calphalon tells you wash it by hand in the sink with hot water. Calphalon...Read more

I recieved this item as a wedding gift, and have found it to be the greatest stockpot in the world for so many things: from huge batches of pasta to ham-hock soup to turning my tomato harvest into several gallons of sauce, this pot has never let me down. Why? the thick, anodized aluminum ensures even heat. It stands up to all day slow cooking of highly acidic tomatoes without staining. The handles are large and sturdy enough even for my huge, sometimes clumsy hands to grip. The lid stays on but allows steam to vent; I never have to worry about a kitchen "explosion" onto the stove. And the whole thing is so sturdy it stands up any abuse I dish out: dropping, stabbing, three day soaks, without a stain, dent or complaint. I highly reccomend this product for anyone from beginning cooks to experienced chefs.

This stockpot is the last one you'll ever buy. It is so well-constructed, so solid, and so well crafted it will last for generations. The cooking performance is superb. It conducts heat well (it's made of aluminum) and distributes it evenly to ensure good results even on high heat. I've used it for soups, stews, cassoulets, and canning and in every instance it outperforms every other pot of its kind I've ever tried.

People may question the price, but trust me, the four other stockpots I've owned collectively cost a lot more and did a lot less. Spend the money and get yourself a once-in-a-lifetime pot that will serve your needs for good. This is a true bargain in every regard.