Love to make soup - need stock pot recommendations

I like my Pampered Chef stock pot, and my Le Creuset dutch oven for soups and stews.

I LOVE my Le Creuset stock pot. I think mine is a 10 or 12 qt, but it comes in 6 sizes, including an 6 qt. The lid fits nicely and it's very deep. The bottom is heavy, so even thick stews don't burn (unless the heat is really cranked up. My only problem is that the pot is so big, if I'm not careful I'll make way too much soup.

Best of all, it's really pretty!

ETA:  I have a stock pot. It's different than the Le Creuset most are used to. It's enamel on steel, not cast iron. It's lighter than the Dutch ovens, but still plenty heavy. Le Creuset carries a lot of different kinds of cooking/baking ware. 

I have some Le Creuset pieces, but only tend to use them for "thicker" dishes, like stews, pot roast, beans, rice. When I make stock or anything really watery, I use my Farberware stockpots (stainless steel) or Calphalon (heavy cast aluminum).

I've had a set of Farberware since I got married in 1979, but just in the last few years, I discovered their 6qt stockpot which didn't come in my original set. I love that thing and use it almost daily. My 4qt and 8qt stockpots are rarely used anymore.

I got mine on eBay. You can search Farberware Classic to see what's available. There are lots of dealers selling brand-new pieces for low prices.

Now there's a 16qt Farberware Classic giant stockpot I'm coveting. My old giant stockpot needs to be retired.

I prefer enameled cast iron Dutch oven for soup making over a crock pot. The get a much richer flavor when you can effectively caramelize/brown the ingredients when needed.

If you want a crock pot that seals well though (not sure if I read that right) Target has one with a colorful chevron pattern on it. I think the "designer" was called French Bulldog (it's stick crock pot brand). It has a rubber gasket so the pot can be sealed for travel.

I love to make soups from scratch too! I've got two sizes of Le C. but used a Farberware stock for lighter soups. When that finally died I went to Tuesday Morning and found an 18/10 stainless, double walled, with two inserts (steamer and pasta) and good lid. They had several brands and quality levels to compare.

It's my "everyday" pot. If I'm tired, or rushed, it goes in the dishwasher, and I don't feel guilty. A few years later I bought a smaller one, too. They've Functioned as well as any of my All Clad, and looks decent. It's at least ten years old.

It's hit or miss at those stores, but it's worth checking out. The dishwasher helped me, and I wouldn't have risked an All Clad that way. But I also understand the love of a fine piece of cookware... Sometimes you want that special piece!

I put my Calphalon in the dishwasher.  Not always but sometimes.
It's old, though ... not non-stick, if that makes a difference.

This month's Cooking Light magazine features some good, hearty soup and stew recipes and they talk about the Le Creuset and the Lodge DO.  I have been shopping for a new DO for a while but can't bring myself to spend that kind of money on a LC one.   Cooking Light actually give the Lodge enameled cast iron DO a great review and says it is a great piece for the price.  I think Wal-Mart carries the various they were testing.  I have a really large Le Creuset DO but it won't fit on my Big Green Egg which is what I want to use it for too.  
m