Usually a listed capacity is for the total volume of the container, so a six-quart would hold six quarts of water, but that doesn't mean you can expect to cook six quarts of chili in it.

I kind of assume if a crockpot or pot is listed at six quarts that I can use it for two-thirds of that, or four quarts.

To determine if the crockpot is indeed 6 quarts, just get a measuring cup and pour in water to the rim and see how much it will hold.

Carol

And the bonus question that Groucho Marx used to ask was who was buried in Grant's Tomb.

Thanks - It IS annoying to try to shop online. I've been looking for a bigger dutch oven for my glass-top range and I'd really like to look at the bottom of the pot before I buy it to make sure it's nice and flat and the size I want.
I filled mine with water and it holds six quarts.

This is what annoys me with my 11 cup Food Processor that will leak if I put 2 cups of liquid in it.

Welcome Christie!Thanks for the giggle.

Truth is I never measure anything in volume when selecting a pot. I just grab the one that will hold what I'm cooking.

who was buried in Grant's Tomb

And the answer to that is.... Grant and his wife! I know cuz I've been there. LOL

But I don't have anything to add regarding your question except, Welcome to the Cooking Forum Christie!

I have a 6 qt pot that's the perfect size for many things I cook. Problem is that both handles have a hairline crack and I'm afraid to use it as usually I'm moving the pot with boiling hot water (eg. pasta, potatoes) to the sink. I couldn't find replacement handles so I started looked for a pot the same size. Well, either I buy a 5 or 5 1/2 qt or a 10 qt. It's impossible to find anything in between in local stores. I don't want to go smaller but the 10 qt. is huge in width. I wont' buy online because I can't see how thick the bottom is and I had one pot that scorched garlic and ginger the minute it was added to the hot oil. If anyone here is also reading the OTR microwave size problems, doesn't it remind you of that? LOL

Here's one....says heavy bottom, stainless and induction ready.
https://www.amazon.com/Cooks-Standard-Stainless-Stockpot-6-Quart/dp/B00GMH42IQ/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1495476460&sr=8-6&keywords=6+qt+stock+pot

I'm in Canada. The exchange would be brutal and if found on their .CA site, it's usually quite a bit more money. I did find one on the CDN Amazon site and am debating whether I'd buy it. THANKS SO MUCH for the reply.

Problem is that both handles have a hairline crack

You could repair the handles. Assuming some kind of plastic, scuff the plastic with sandpaper and use some JB Weld & fiberglass material (like is used in auto body repairs.) Won't be pretty but should greatly extend the life of your pot.

I have an old pressure cooker that the wooden handles were nearly burned thru. I cut new handles out of some walnut hardwood and finely shaped them with a rasp to fit the contour of the pot. So, that's another alternative.

Thanks for the suggestion but this pot has seen better days. It's from the year I got married, 1979, and it doesn't owe me anything. It's 38 yrs old and trust me, it wasn't an expensive one. It's just that it was my go to pot. Funny thing is my mom has most of her original pots and pans from the 50's and when she had to change to a ceramic flat top stove, all those rounded bottom pots danced around the burners. My coil burner stove from '79 is still in use. When I buy pots I make sure they are flat bottomed/encapsulated so when I have to go to a flat top stove they'll be compatible.