I made traditional Italian Sunday Gravy tonight. I was actually able to have the gas heat turned up to medium without fear of the sauce burning--of course I checked it often, but every time I checked, nothing was even remotely sticking. The bottom is thick, heavy, and helps the heat to be conducted evenly over the entire bottom of the pan. The handle on the lid is also awesome, I can pick up the lid with the contents boiling without a pot holder and not burn my fingers. I have cooked in pots that were 4 or 5 times the price of this pot and they don't measure up to the quality I found in this stockpot! This pot is a superstar! It is the last sauce pot I will ever buy!