A medium saucepan works hard in your kitchen. From rice and pasta to soups and sauces, it’s necessary in every home. But not every saucepan is made equally, and a high-quality one can be the saving grace of your meal. That’s what I’ve found with the 3-quart saucepan from Viking.
It’s taken the top spot among my saucepan collection, as it’s durable, reliable and dependable for every meal it preps. But even as the front-runner, I have major reservations about affordability.
Viking 4-Ply Sauce Pan with Lid, 3 Quart
Specifications
- Price: $299.
- Weight: 3.3 Pounds.
- Material: Copper and stainless steel.
- Capacity: Holds up to 3 quarts.
Pros
- Heavy-duty and durable
- Cooks in very high heat
- Comfortable handle
- Easy cleanup
Cons
- Very expensive compared to similar brands
- Lid handle runs hot
- Extra care maintenance required (for copper variation)
The Unboxing and Setup
I received the 4-ply saucepan and lid from Viking for this review. This copper and stainless steel style was pulled out of a set and isn’t sold as a standalone product, but the blue stainless steel version is.
Because of that, it came in a nondescript, plain brown box. After washing, it was ready to use.
The Experience
The Viking 4-ply 3-quart saucepan was beautiful straight out of the box. The copper outside with the stainless steel inside is visually stunning. I immediately put it to use. Since then, it’s become a staple in everyday cooking.
It has a heavy bottom that easily stays on the stove, even when stirring the pot with one hand and without a free hand to hold onto the handle. This is an excellent feature for busy weekday evenings when you only have one hand to spare.
But when you hold onto the handle, it’s comfortable and secure without feeling like it will slip through your fingers. It never ran hot, and I could easily grab it throughout cooking and cleanup.
I didn’t like how hot the handle on the lid got. Every time I used it, I needed an oven mit to remove it. It was cumbersome anytime I needed to maneuver the pot somewhere else, like draining pasta water or pouring sauce.
My copper and stainless steel version included measurement options on the inside, which is great when you need to keep exact proportions for certain meals. When boiling water for oats, I filled up to the preferred line rather than taking out another tool to pour water in. Fewer dishes mean easier cleanup. Not all versions have this feature, but it’s a pro for mine.
I appreciate how it can go into extremely high temperatures without getting deformed. It allows me to move it from the stovetop to the grill without changing cookware. It’s been versatile, reliable, and a great addition.
The Maintenance
I’ve made my fair share of pasta, sauces, and grains in the saucepan. Each time I go to wash it, I tell myself, this is the time the residue doesn’t come off. And yet, each time, it’s squeaky clean. I’ve had stubborn rice stick to the bottom of the pot. But after a quick water bath, it came right up.
The copper and stainless steel version requires extra maintenance, as copper tarnishes. Because of this, my version needs regular polishing every six months, which I can do by rubbing it with a salted lemon half all over, rinsing, and drying. This isn’t the case for all versions, but if you have a copper variation, it’s essential to polish it regularly.
The Takeaway
The 3-quart saucepan from Viking has become a regular in my cooking, but I can’t leave out how expensive it is. As a standalone saucepan, it retails for $300. Even similar saucepans from competitors are half the price of this one. For instance, the 3-quart from HexClad is $149 as of this writing. Same with the All-Clad version. The 3-ply, 4-quart saucepan from ZWILLING is $120.
With so many other options available at a much more affordable price, it’s easy to find a comparable replacement without spending more than you need to.
