This All-Clad Stockpot Is the Best Non-Toxic Kitchen Swap

After learning more about microplastics and PFAS in nonstick cookware potentially leaching into my food, I started to rethink some of my cookware essentials. For help, I turned to my friend and former chef at Ho Foods in New York City, Ed Du, for recommendations. The stockpot — that workhorse piece we all use for soups, stocks, and holiday feasts — seemed like the perfect place to start making a healthier swap. After all, these pots simmer away for hours at high temperatures, creating the ideal conditions for any nonstick coating to break down and migrate into whatever we’re cooking. He steered me away from my old, already-chipping nonstick pot and towards my new favorite All-Clad Stockpot, and I haven’t looked back since.

All-Clad D3 Stainless Steel 12-Quart Stockpot

The All-Clad D3 Stainless Steel Stockpot checked off all my boxes, eliminating questionable materials while still delivering chef-worthy performance. The All-Clad D3 line features three-ply stainless steel construction, with an aluminum core bonded between two layers of stainless steel for even heat distribution — no nonstick coatings, plastics, or PFAS chemicals here. And with a 12-quart capacity, it’s the ideal size for making large batches of chicken bone broth during the colder winter months, or cooking pasta for a big crowd. 

But what really sold me was hearing how my friend plans to use the All-Clad during his Thanksgiving dinner: “This Thanksgiving, I’ll be foregoing a turkey for a full Peking duck instead, using this stockpot. And after dinner is over, I toss the carcass into the pot with ginger, Sichuan peppercorn, and white pepper. Soup at the end of a meal is good for digestion,” Du says, “but nobody wants to be stuck digesting PFAs from poor-quality nonstick pots.”

The timing couldn’t be better for my upgrade, either. Studies finding microplastic contamination everywhere have people scrutinizing all potential sources of plastic exposure, and replacing toxic cookware has emerged as a major concern. Research has shown that nonstick coatings can break down at high temperatures, with some nonstick pans releasing thousands of microplastic particles during normal use. And since the holidays are when stockpots arguably get their heaviest workout, swapping to a completely inert material like stainless steel eliminates one more avenue for these little contaminants to roam free.

This 12-quart pot works on all cooktops, including induction, and the tall, narrow shape minimizes evaporation while maximizing precious stovetop space (super important in my tight NYC apartment). Although I always use my never-ending potholder collection, Du says the riveted stainless steel handles stay relatively cool. The pot can handle up to 600°F, though. And at just over seven pounds empty, it’s substantial, but not unwieldy. All-Clad even backs it with a lifetime warranty.

The main con? Stainless steel requires more attention than nonstick. Foods can stick if you don’t preheat properly, and you’ll need to deglaze the bottom to loosen any stuck-on bits. And while the pot is technically dishwasher-safe, hand-washing is recommended to keep it pristine. The exterior can also show water spots, but a quick wipe will keep it shining.

For anyone prioritizing clean cooking this holiday season, this All-Clad D3 Stainless Steel Stockpot is one of the most straightforward solutions I’ve seen, so don’t hesitate to get one to see you through the rest of the holiday cooking gauntlet. 

More Stainless Steel Stockpots to Shop Now

All-Clad D3 Stainless Steel 8-Quart Stockpot

Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Stainless Steel 12-Quart Stockpot

Caraway 12-Quart Ceramic-Coated Stock Pot 

Calphalon Stainless Steel 6-Quart Stock Pot

KitchenAid 8-Quart Brushed Stainless Steel Stock Pot 

At the time of publishing, the price was $180.