"Tools of the Trade" 8 quart pot question

[philcobendixduo]

A friend is downsizing and gave me a "Tools of the Trade" 8 quart stainless steel pot with glass lid, pasta basket and steamer insert.
There is a notice on the bottom of the pot that states "use low or medium heat" and "oven safe to 450f".
I have never come across a cooking vessel that states it can only be used on low or medium heat.
How would one boil pasta on low or medium heat (i.e. - heat the water to a boil)?
I Google searched the topic but can find only that "Tools of the Trade" was sold by Macy's.
Any ideas?

 

[combo52]

Most new cookware

Says that you should use it over low to medium heat, this is kind of like telling everybody to wash their clothing and cold water. That way they can say I told you so if you warp the pan etc..

Of course you’re going to have to use high heat to boil water in any type of reasonable time the only caution I will add if you’re using a coil top electric range be sure no more than a small portion of the element is getting red hot when the element is on high when trying to boil water if so, either your element or this new pan is not flat enough for effective use.

What is the construction of the bottom of this pan in question can you post a picture of it, is it a high quality tri ply bottom that’s at least a quarter inch thick?

 

[philcobendixduo]

It appears to have a thick bottom....

....but I don't know what it's material is or if it's multi-layer.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Hold a magnet to it and see if it sticks. That would indicate a stainless steel with a lot of iron in it. It is probably an aluminum sandwich construction. Hold a straight edge across it and see if there is a gap in the center. It looks like a nice pan, well cared for (or unused).

 

[kevin313]

Bill - I have a couple of pieces of Tools of the Trade cookware (yes, it was Macy's house brand). I have an electric range and when needed, I have used them on high heat - like bringing contents to a boil - without any issue. 

 

[helicaldrive]

Kevin

Miss your posts here!

But I have been enjoying your Cavalcade videos on You Tube.

 

[whitewhiskers]

Tools of the Trade have Lifetime Warranty

I have a Tools of the Trade 8 quart pot, purchased 35 years ago. Also bought with it three different size sauce pans which I placed in the recycle bin 4 years ago, replaced with Cuisinart Professional Grade saucepans. I didn't realize that the Tools of the Trade pots were actually quite inferior in terms of heat distribution until I got new pots. Water boils faster and no scorching with better saucepans. The only good things I can write about Tools of the Trade are the lid handles stay cool, being made of some kind of plastic material, and the pots clean up real nice with Barkeepers Friend.

 

[petek]

Best pots and pans I have are vintage 50s thru 70s ones I find at thrift stores for very little cost. Most of them were probably made by West Bend under different brand names like Sears. Very heavy 3 and 5 ply stainless steel as good as any new All Clad and don't require that metal casting attached to the bottom.

 

[philcobendixduo]

A magnet sticks to the bottom....

.....and the bottom of the pan is flat with the exception of the indentation that the information is embossed on.

I didn't realize Macy's had used that brand name for so long!

 

[tomturbomatic]

Then it is ready for induction use where a flat base is less important.