The 10 Best Jam Pans
Special Honors
Le Creuset Preserving Pan You won't have to worry about scorching or hot spots with Le Creuset Preserving Pan, a three-ply model that boasts high-quality aluminum and stainless steel. It's suited to making jam, but its robust construction and ample size also make it a fine choice for chili, stew, and plenty of other dishes. lecreuset.com.au
Editor's Notes
August 17, 2020:
We have reevaluated our selections based on usability, durability, and price, ultimately adding the diminutive Kitchen Craft Mini Maslin for those who do not have ample storage space. At 4.5 liters, it helps you create modestly-sized batches, then tucks away neatly in a small cabinet. The Pendeford Ancillary Range, while a touch larger, is also a good choice for those with space constraints. Both are made well, but neither has a spout, which will be a dealbreaker for some users.
As for larger choices, the 10.6-quart Demeyere Resto still comes out on top, not only because it's durable, but also because it comes with a lid, whereas most do not. The Kitchen Craft Stainless Steel is a good alternative, especially for the price-conscious. If it's not the budget you're worried about, but the amount of work you have to put in, consider instead the Ball Freshtech. It takes much of the hassle out of making jams and jellies, although you'll still have to prepare your canning jars and place the finished product into them.
Finally, we kept two copper choices, the Mauviel M'Passion and the Matfer Bourgeat, neither of which has a lining to prevent the copper from leaching into your finished product. Ingesting too much of this metal can be harmful, but there has been little concrete investigation into how much copper is actually leached into jam when cooked in a copper pot. Most agree that the amount is probably miniscule, and people generally don't eat enough jam for this to be concerning. Nevertheless, if you're the type to worry about such things, you may want to skip these.
November 12, 2018:
Selected the Demeyere Resto and Kilner 8.5 Quart as top selections for a wide range of individuals, from casual cooks to those who are accomplished jam makers. Investigated and added copper models, including the Mauviel and Matfer models, despite claims that cooking jam in these pans leads to ingestion of the metal, as the concrete evidence to support this assertion is lacking.