****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
I’m a long time home chef, and cook a lot! On electric burners, on induction, gas, in oven, on grills, portable burners, the rest. I’ve owned so many different good and bad cookware pieces in my 60+ years, so know at a glance when something is exceptional. And that name alone means little because quality often changes over time (like Pyrex!). This little Viking 3-ply 18/10 SS 2.4 quart saucepan with clear lid stands heads above any cookware I’ve ever owned.The saucepan and lid are SERIOUSLY commercial heavy grade. Even without the lid or anything in it, the saucepan is guaranteed to sit flat on any burner. With the lid on or food in it, it will be moreso. Often, the handles on lesser pots and pans can be so heavy, even with food in them, they tilt off the heat because of it. That may sound trivial, but any tilt impacts every sauté and other cooktop technique — just pour a tbsp of oil in it and watch where it goes, to understand.The base of this 2.4 quart matches standard size gas and exposed electric burners perfectly, with a little margin. The base is only 6”, which sounds really small, but guarantees the entire base will be in contact with pretty much any true heat source.On that, and for those whom don’t know, the circular markings on surfaces like glasstops and induction burners do NOT necessarily have ANYTHING to do with the actual heat or heat-transmitting elements underneath, and are often just deceptive make-you-buy-it marketing tactics. Even some of the higher end appliance companies are guilty. Many appliance sellers don’t even know the true burner heat output of the ranges or cooktops they sell, and ignorantly assume the markings are indicative of power. So it’s completely up to you to figure the reality. If you are ever comparison shopping for a new range or cooktop and can test them, carry your best and biggest pot (preferably a stockpot) into the showroom, fill it partway with tge same amount of water, and time exactly how long it takes to bring it to a roiling boil. Oftentimes, the ‘big burners’ will come up far short of the promises. What you find will be what you can expect at home.Back to the Viking pot — the base/side transition is curved rather than abrupt, so it will be easier to use and clean. Fractional quart markings are in easy-to-see black on the inside. The heavy handle is double-riveted to the pot (inside and out), long, arched up (helps keep the center of gravity toward the pot), and ergonometrically well-designed. The lid is beautiful — heavy so will not push off with the most roiling boil, clear, with 2 steam holes (stick chopsticks in if you don’t want), SS rim, and double riveted SS handle.Yes, this saucepan is expensive, but well worth it to give as a beautiful shower or housewarming gift or for any chef whose proved their mettle. Out of the box, it’s definitely a piece to hand down generations. I’ll post an update once I’ve actually cooked with it!EDIT: Well it’s been a great culinary year with this little Viking pot. It handles every soup, sauce, clam, and small roast I heat, sauté, steam, or braise in it with grace. Cleanup is always trivial. It’s the second best kitchen purchase I made in the past year and few months (the best was a new oven, to finally replace my 50 year old workhorse GE).
