Culina 6 Qt. Tri-Ply Pot 3-Piece with pasta Set, 18/10 Stainless Steel

There is roughly 1.5" between the bottom of the insert, and the bottom of the pot. This means that you can fill the entire insert with vegetables, for example, without boiling the vegetables. This is mainly how I use the pot: steaming vegetables. It also works great for soups, because I actually put it in the oven at around 420 degrees in order to cook my soups in it. So it's definitely oven-safe.Despite the "pasta insert" title of this cook ware, I don't use it for pasta. As other reviewers have stated, if you want to use it for pasta, it's best to just use boil the pasta without the insert, and use the insert to strain the pasta. Otherwise you'd likely have to fill the entire pot with water, just to have all the pasta covered by the water.It's heavy (I'd estimate between 3-4 lbs). It's gorgeous and easy to clean. When cooking on the stove top, the handles do not get hot, and nor does the top of the lid. No noise when boiling. Water does not escape from the lid and the lid doesn't get shaky and rumbly. You can tell this is quality cookware that will sustain daily use for years.Update: I've had this now for over a year, and it's still by far the best investment I ever made for cook ware. I use it every single day to steam vegetables, and when I'm not doing that, I'm using it to make my favorite soup in the oven. So I've been using it heavily, and I have not noticed ANY decrease in quality or even any stains. Handles are still just as strong, not even budging. It's amazing.2nd update: Almost 3 years later, and I can say exactly the same -- incredible quality. It's seriously just as nice as the day I bought it. Wow!!

I was looking for either a 4 or 5 quart (nominal) pasta pot -- in short a little bit smaller than this one which is classified as a 6-quart-er. I was unable to find anything I thought wasn't cheap or part of a set that fit the bill. I got this one today and cooked pasta (what else?) for dinner. The pot is a thing of beauty it is "medium heavy" -- certainly lighter than the cast iron pots I typically use (without a strainer/insert), but much more substantial than most of the pots on the market that are able to be afforded by mere mortals. If I have any complaint, it would be that I would prefer a glass lid with a small vent hole in it. Since I cook the pasta with the lid off, however, it is not THAT big of a deal. The pot heated quickly (I have a gas stove top), reboil came quickly too.I put it in the dishwasher before using and immediately after with the rest of the dinner dishes. Seems to be likely to remain a thing of beauty -- but that will take some time to be 100% sure.It would be the perfect size for up to four folks dinner needs even if pasta was the main course.At this point, it would be easy for me to recommend it for your consideration.

Nice shiny marked 18/10 on bottom as it should. Nice bottom encapuslated disc. Mine I used a fork to stir and scratched inside. The problem I had was with the pitt marks or "small gash" or disccoloration which I don't know how occurred as I do not put salt in water until hot, etc. and used all the special cleaning material, scrub daddy, earth brite cleaner etc. HOWEVER THE POT WORKS AS IT SOULD AND WILL LAST LONG TIME HAS ROLLED RIM SO IT POURS WITHOUT SPLATTERING. IT IS A COOKING TOOL AND NOT A PIECE OF ART TO REMAIN WITHOUT USUAL WEAR AND TEAR. I WOULD PURCHASE AGAIN AND HAVE DONE SO. SENT ANOTHER ONE TO A NEPHEW FOR A ENG. PRESENT. WITH INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO USE. IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO INFORM PEOPLE ON HOW TO BE CAREFUL WITH POTS.

Finally got around to replacing our old stained pasta pot. This pot is smaller, but just right for us now. It works great for us now and can only hope it will last for years to come. However, after washing in dishwasher the bottom of the pot came out speckled which could not be wiped off.

Smaller than I imagined...OK, 6 quart is 6 quart...sure looks big in the picture. Weight of the material is lighter than I expected from the high end products I have touched. Proportionally, if the pot was bigger, the handles would be beefier. This is a nice dainty set. I bit on the big discount. But, a good value all in all.

Really nice well-made pot! I is used on a consistent basis, is easy to clean, is a real nice solid piece with a nice thick bottom. Very happy with it and it's large enough to handle much of waht we cook. Even use it as a steamner for broccoli and cauliflower. Top fits reall well, it's just a nice solid piece that I would recommend to anyone.

I shopped for a pot with an insert and hoped this would be it. When it arrived, I could see that it was very substantial, had a heft to it, and all the pieces fit well. A great buy at this price and well made, so it exceeded my expectations.

This was a replacement for a defective pot. Although it has spotted, the size is good, the pot attractive and well balanced. Would buy again.

Good pot. Sturdily made. Takes about 20 mins to boil water in it. I wish Culina would make a 1 quart as this one. Smaller would take less to boil. it stays shiny and is induction ready. I cannot use non induction cookware so this is reasonable for its price. I would recommend culina to any out there who wants serious cookware without too much expense. I would recommend it to family and friends.

Fabulous looking pan with the name on the handles and looks very impressive on the hob. I looked at similar pans and they were thin and cheap looking. It is worth spending the extra money as you can see the quality. It is just the right size too, not too big and not too small and has a clear indication of where to fill the water up to. Discovered this type of pan when we were cooking in Italy and was so glad to see that we make them too. This design is much better than running the risk of scalding yourself tipping the water out of the old pans.

Good

This is a strong well made pot for pasta preparation. I am very happy I bought it, as it is perfect for cooking and straining. Good thick base and the lid and strainer fit very well. Nice finish too.

perfection do not know how I managed without one of these before