Our Top Picks
BriSunshine 21.5QT Stainless Steel Canning Pot with Rack21.5 QT11.7 x 11.7 x 11.4 inchesCheck on Amazon
Canning Supplies-24 Qt. Water Bath Canning Pot with10-Piece Advanced14 x 14 x 12.4 inches10 poundsCheck on Amazon
Canning Pot with Rack & Lid-Canning Kit for21.5 Quarts16.5 x 16.5 x 12.4 inches8.5 poundsCheck on Amazon
For most households the best stock pot for both canning and stock making is a 21 to 24 quart stainless steel pot with a lid and a canning rack, and the 24-quart food-grade stainless canning pot is our pick for its size and included rack. A stock pot is a tall, straight-sided pot that holds a lot of liquid for simmering bones, soups and sauces; a water bath canning pot is the same shape with a rack that lifts jars off the bottom. Important safety note: a water bath canner is only for high-acid foods like jams, pickles and acidified tomatoes. Stock and broth must be pressure canned, so use these pots to simmer stock, not to can it.
Six listings follow, five large stainless sets and one small enamel pot.
BriSunshine 21.5QT Stainless Steel Canning Pot with Rack and Lid
Picked as a relevant option in this category.
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Food-Grade 24 Qt Stainless Steel Canning Pot with Rack and Lid, Large Water Bath Canner, Full Home Canning Supplies Starter Kit | All-in-One Kitchen Tools & Accessories Set | by Supa Ant
Chosen because it specifies Large Water Bath Canner and Full Home Canning Supplies Starter Kit.
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IMUSA 6 Qt Enamel Stock Pot for Canning, Blue | Ideal for Soups, Stews, And Pasta
Chosen because it specifies Blue and Ideal for Soups.
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Canning Pot Water Bath Canner with Rack and Mason Jars, 20 Quart Stainless Steel Stock Pots, Canning Supplies Starter Kit Beginners Tools Set, Jar Lifter Tongs and Pickling Kit Accessories
Chosen because it specifies 20 Quart Stainless Steel Stock Pots and Canning Supplies Starter Kit Beginners Tools Set.
View on AmazonCanning Supplies-24 Qt. Water Bath Canning Pot with Rack & Lid -Starter Kits Set for Beginners - Stainless Steel Water Bath Canner Kit & Rack-Rack, XL Ladle, Measuring Cups, Kitchen Funnel by Supa Ant
Chosen because it specifies Stainless Steel Water Bath Canner Kit & Rack-Rack and XL Ladle.
View on AmazonCanning Pot with Rack & Lid-Canning Kit for Beginners, 21.5 Quart Stock Pot | Canning Supplies Starter Kit for Beginners,Water Bath Canners for Canning,Food Grade Accessories Starter by JY COOKMENT
Chosen because it specifies 21.5 Quart Stock Pot and Canning Supplies Starter Kit for Beginners.
View on AmazonQuick List
- BriSunshine 21.5-quart stainless canning pot – best for a mid-size pot with rack and lid
- 24-quart food-grade stainless canning pot kit – best overall for big batches of stock and jars
- IMUSA 6-quart enamel stock pot – best for small batches of stock and soup, not full-size canning
- 20-quart canner with rack and mason jars – best for beginners who want jars in the box
- 24-quart water bath canning pot with rack and lid – best for a second large pot with a starter-kit set
- 21.5-quart canning pot with rack and lid – best for a mid-size starter kit
Which One Is Right for You?
| If you… | Choose |
|---|---|
| want a mid-size pot that can still handle pint and quart jars | BriSunshine 21.5-quart |
| make big pots of stock and can high-acid foods in the same season | 24-quart food-grade pot kit |
| only need a small pot for soup or a quick stock | IMUSA 6-quart |
| want mason jars included so you can start right away | 20-quart canner with jars |
| prefer a set labeled for beginners with a rack and lid | 24-quart water bath canning pot set |
| want a smaller canner that is easier to store | 21.5-quart canning pot |
Think about the jar sizes you plan to use. A tall pot with a rack is needed to cover quart jars with at least an inch of water. Then think about your stove: a very wide pot can overhang a burner or outgrow the safe size for a glass-top range, so check your manual.
All 6 Picks in Detail
1. BriSunshine 21.5-Quart Stainless Steel Canning Pot – Best for a mid-size pot with rack and lid
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Who it suits: cooks who put up a few batches of jam or pickles each season and also make stock in the cooler months. If you have a standard range, a pot in this size class is easier to heat than the 24-quart models, since the water reaches a rolling boil sooner. Remember that the pot must hold the rack, the jars and an inch or two of water above them.
The BriSunshine is a 21.5-quart stainless steel pot sold with a rack and lid. That is enough depth for water bath canning of pint jars and, in many cases, quart jars, and enough volume to simmer about 10 to 12 quarts of stock with room to skim. Stainless steel does not react with acidic foods, which is why it is the standard material for canning.
A rack matters because jars set directly on the bottom of a pot can crack from direct heat.
- Capacity: 21.5 quarts
- Material: stainless steel
- Included: rack and lid
- Interior height and diameter: confirm on listing
- Induction compatibility and handle type: confirm on listing
Pros
- Large enough for both stock and jars
- Rack and lid included
Cons
- Rack capacity per layer is not stated in the title
- Big for a small kitchen
It sits between the 20-quart kit and the 24-quart options in capacity.
2. 24-Quart Food-Grade Stainless Steel Canning Pot with Rack and Lid – Best overall for big batches
Who it suits: serious preservers and anyone who cooks stock for the freezer in bulk. Because the pot is so large, fill it partway with water and put the rack in before lifting it onto the burner, then add jars. A full 24-quart pot is a lot of weight, so keep a clear path from stove to sink.
This 24-quart pot is described as food-grade stainless steel with a rack and lid, a large water bath canner and a full home canning supplies starter kit. The extra capacity is the main reason it ranks first: it clears quart jars with room for water above them and also makes a good vessel for 12 to 14 quarts of stock.
The starter-kit wording suggests extra tools are included, but the list is not in the visible title, so confirm contents on the page.
- Capacity: 24 quarts
- Material: food-grade stainless steel
- Included: rack, lid, starter-kit accessories (exact items: confirm on listing)
- Use named: water bath canning
- Induction compatibility: confirm on listing
Pros
- Highest capacity in the list
- Kit may include tools for first-time canners
Cons
- Heavy when full and hard to lift off the stove
- May be too wide for some burners
It is nearly identical in role to the other 24-quart pot, so compare their kit contents before deciding.
3. IMUSA 6-Quart Enamel Stock Pot – Best for small batches, not full canning
Who it suits: students, small households and cooks who want a lightweight pot for broths, chili or pasta. For anything involving jars, treat it as the wrong tool: even half-pint jelly jars need the water level to rise an inch or more above the lids, and a small pot cannot manage that safely with a rack.
The IMUSA is a blue enamel stock pot of 6 quarts, listed as ideal for soups, stews and pasta and with canning in its title. At 6 quarts it is far too small to cover standard jars with water, so treat it as a soup or stock pot rather than a full-size canner. It can make a quick chicken stock or a pot of soup, which is its sweet spot.
It is the one listing here that does not match the canning half of the topic well, so this is a runner-up. Enamel-on-steel pots are light, but a chip in the enamel can expose the steel underneath.
- Capacity: 6 quarts
- Material: enamel (enameled steel); confirm on listing
- Color: blue
- Uses named: soups, stews, pasta
- Rack and lid: confirm on listing
Pros
- Light and easy to store
- Handy for small batches of soup or stock
Cons
- Too small for most water bath canning
- Enamel can chip
For real canning, step up to the 20 or 21.5 quart pots.
4. 20-Quart Canner with Rack and Mason Jars – Best for beginners who want jars included
Who it suits: first-time canners who want to try a small batch of strawberry jam or dill pickles before buying more equipment. Wash the jars before use, check the rims for chips, and follow a recipe from a reliable extension source for processing times, which depend on the recipe and your altitude.
This listing is a 20-quart stainless steel water bath canner with a rack, sold with mason jars and described as a canning supplies starter kit for beginners. Having jars in the box removes one step for a first batch of jam or pickles. A 20-quart pot is large enough to hold several pint jars at once and still doubles as a stock pot for stews and broth.
Check how many jars come with the set, their size and whether lids and rings are included.
- Capacity: 20 quarts
- Material: stainless steel
- Included: rack, mason jars (count and size: confirm on listing)
- Use: water bath canning for high-acid foods, plus stock making
- Lid and tools: confirm on listing
Pros
- Jars included for a ready-to-use kit
- Good size for a first canning season
Cons
- Slightly smaller than the 21.5 and 24 quart pots
- Kit contents vary, so check what you actually get
It is the only listing here that is jar-first, so it suits a total beginner more than the larger pots.
5. 24-Quart Water Bath Canning Pot with Rack and Lid Starter Kit – Best second large pot
Who it suits: households that already own a canner but want a second large pot, or families who preserve a lot of produce in a short window. Two pots running on separate burners double the output on a busy harvest weekend, as long as your stove has the burner space and your ventilation can handle the steam.
This second 24-quart listing is a stainless steel water bath canner with a rack and lid, marketed as a starter kit for beginners that includes a canner kit and rack. It has the same capacity as the other 24-quart pot, so the decision comes down to which kit contents, handles and lid you prefer.
As with the other large pots, the volume is enough for quart jars and a big batch of stock, but the weight when filled makes it a two-person lift for some cooks.
- Capacity: 24 quarts
- Material: stainless steel
- Included: rack and lid, plus starter-kit items (confirm on listing)
- Use named: water bath canning
- Induction compatibility: confirm on listing
Pros
- Large capacity for jars and stock
- Starter-kit setup for new canners
Cons
- Heavy and large to store
- Kit contents are not itemized in the visible title
Compare it directly with the first 24-quart listing before buying.
6. 21.5-Quart Canning Pot with Rack and Lid Kit – Best mid-size starter kit
Who it suits: cooks who want the same capacity as the BriSunshine in a starter-kit format. If the kit includes a jar lifter and funnel, they will make filling and removing hot jars much safer than using kitchen tongs. Make sure any tools are heat-safe and fit the jar mouth sizes you plan to use.
This listing is a 21.5-quart stock pot sold as a canning kit for beginners with a rack and lid. It has the same size as the BriSunshine and is positioned as a starter kit for water bath canners. At this size you can can pints, many quarts and also simmer a large batch of stock.
Confirm the included tools, such as jar lifter or funnel, on the product page.
- Capacity: 21.5 quarts
- Material: stainless steel, per the product type; confirm on listing
- Included: rack and lid, starter-kit accessories (confirm on listing)
- Use named: water bath canning for beginners
- Induction compatibility: confirm on listing
Pros
- Reasonable size for many stoves
- Rack and lid included
Cons
- Specific dimensions and weight are not stated in the title
- Kit items vary
It is the closest match to the BriSunshine pot.
Specs Compared
| Pot | Capacity | Material | Rack | Lid | Extras per listing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BriSunshine 21.5-quart | 21.5 qt | Stainless steel | Yes | Yes | Confirm on listing |
| 24-quart food-grade pot | 24 qt | Food-grade stainless steel | Yes | Yes | Starter-kit supplies; confirm items |
| IMUSA 6-quart | 6 qt | Enamel (confirm base metal) | Confirm on listing | Confirm on listing | None stated |
| 20-quart canner with jars | 20 qt | Stainless steel | Yes | Confirm on listing | Mason jars; confirm count |
| 24-quart water bath set | 24 qt | Stainless steel | Yes | Yes | Starter-kit items; confirm |
| 21.5-quart canning kit | 21.5 qt | Confirm on listing | Yes | Yes | Starter-kit items; confirm |
How We Chose These
This guide comes from the listings in the current catalog and from published food-safety and cookware information, not from canning sessions of our own. We compared capacity, material, whether a rack and lid are included and what extras the listing names. We then checked general home-canning guidance from extension and food-preservation sources to explain what a water bath pot can and cannot do. Where a listing leaves out details such as dimensions, rack design or induction compatibility, we ask you to confirm them on the product page. The IMUSA 6-quart is included because it appears in the set, but we flag it as a small pot rather than a full canner.
What to Look For
Water bath canning versus pressure canning
This is the single most important point on this page. Food preservation guidance says a boiling-water canner is appropriate only for high-acid foods such as jams, jellies, fruit, pickles and tomatoes with added acid, because boiling water reaches only about 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Low-acid foods, including meat, vegetables and stock, need the 240 degrees Fahrenheit that only a pressure canner can reach to control botulism spores. None of the pots here is a pressure canner. Use them to make stock, then refrigerate or freeze it, or use an approved pressure-canning process with proper equipment.
Capacity, height and rack
The canner must be deep enough that filled jars sit on a rack with 1 to 2 inches of boiling water over the tops. A quart jar is about 6.5 to 7 inches tall, so the pot needs roughly 9 to 10 inches of interior height with the rack, and the lid has to close. A 20 to 24 quart pot generally provides that. A rack keeps jars off the bottom, lets water circulate and prevents jars from breaking. A 6-quart pot cannot meet this requirement for most jars. Before you buy, compare the interior height with the tallest jar you plan to use, add the rack height, then add 1 to 2 inches for the water and a little headroom so the pot does not boil over. If the listing does not state the interior height, ask the seller or check the maker site, because capacity in quarts alone does not guarantee enough depth.
Material and stove fit
Stainless steel is non-reactive and long-lasting. Enamel on steel is lighter but can chip, and chips expose metal. For induction, the base must be magnetic, which many stainless pots are not, so confirm on the listing. On glass or ceramic cooktops, follow the range manual. Home-canning guidance commonly suggests the base of the pot extend no more than an inch beyond the burner, and a very large pot can be hard to bring to a boil on a single element.
Altitude, lids and jar handling
Processing times for water bath canning go up as altitude increases, because water boils at a lower temperature higher up. Look up your elevation and follow a recipe from a reliable extension source. Use a jar lifter rather than tongs to move hot jars, keep jars upright, and leave them to rest on a towel for 12 to 24 hours after processing so the lids can seal. Never stack jars in a pot without a rack or a separate layer rack, and never process jars that touch each other so tightly that water cannot circulate.
Making stock: size and technique
For stock, a pot that holds twice the volume you plan to make gives room for skimming and prevents boil-overs. A rule of thumb is about 4 pounds of bones to 5 or 6 quarts of cold water, covered by an inch or two, simmered gently for several hours. Skim foam early, keep the simmer low, and strain through a fine mesh. Cool the stock quickly in shallow containers or an ice bath and refrigerate within two hours.
Cleaning, storage and care
Stainless steel pots clean up with hot soapy water and a non-scratch sponge. Hard water leaves a white mineral film on canners; a splash of white vinegar in the water on the next boil removes it. Dry the pot fully before storing it with the lid slightly ajar so no musty smell builds. Nesting the rack inside the pot saves space. Enamel pots need gentler handling: no metal scrapers, and avoid sudden temperature changes that can craze the coating.
Worked example: a weekend of stock and tomatoes
Say you want to simmer 6 quarts of stock on Saturday and process pint jars of salsa or acidified tomatoes on Sunday. A 21.5 to 24 quart stainless pot handles both: the stock fits with room to skim, and the same pot with its rack holds 7 pint jars with 1 to 2 inches of water over them. The stock then goes to the fridge or freezer, not into the canner.
Questions
Can I can stock in a water bath canner?
No. Stock and broth are low-acid foods that need a pressure canner to reach a safe temperature. A water bath pot is only for high-acid foods such as jams and pickles.
Can I use a regular stock pot for water bath canning?
Yes, if it is deep enough to cover the jars by 1 to 2 inches of water, has a lid and has a rack in the bottom. A pot without a rack risks jar breakage.
What size pot do I need for quart jars?
A pot of about 20 quarts or more, with interior height for a rack, jar and 1 to 2 inches of water. Confirm the interior height on the listing.
Is stainless steel or enamel better?
Stainless steel is more durable and non-reactive. Enamel is lighter, but chips can occur, so inspect the surface regularly.
Do these pots work on induction?
Some stainless pots do and some do not, depending on the base. The listings here do not state it, so confirm before buying.
How do I cool stock safely?
Divide hot stock into shallow containers or use an ice bath, then refrigerate within two hours. Do not leave a large pot to cool on the stove.
Update History
- October 20, 2026 – Initial publication; product set drawn from current catalog listings.
- Check the product page for current specifications and availability before buying.
Sources
- Retailer listing titles and specification fields for each product named
- National Center for Home Food Preservation and university extension guidance on boiling-water canners and low-acid foods
- Manufacturer home-canning guidance on using a stock pot as a water bath canner
