This pot works great for cooking and straining, I have used it for stews, boiling spaghetti, making dressing.Metal is a good quality stainless and it's slightly thinner than the older farberware also I love the handles on the sides as you can lift the pot without getting your hands burned and the top to the lid also remains cool to the touch so you don't have to worry. It's a nice size, too. Not too big, not too small. [This review was collected as part of a promotion.]