Garnek

Garnek is a Polish noun that refers to a cooking pot or kettle used for heating and preparing food. In everyday use, a garnek denotes a vessel placed on a stove or over a fire, typically with a handle and a lid, though there are regional variations in shape and size.

Most garnek vessels are made from metal—stainless steel, aluminum, copper, or cast iron—with a flat or slightly domed bottom for even heat distribution. Some models feature non-stick coatings, reinforced rims, heat-resistant handles, and lids fitted with knobs or vents. They range from small saucepans to large stock pots and are used for boiling water, making soups and stews, preparing sauces, and cooking grains. Modern variants may be suitable for induction cooking and may come in sets designed for specific culinary tasks.

In Polish kitchens, garnek is a standard utensil across households and professional settings. The term appears in recipes and menus as the vessel for boiling or simmering ingredients. While traditional pots remain common, contemporary cookware includes a variety of designs that adapt to different stoves and cooking styles.

Garnek is also a toponym in Poland; there are settlements named Garnek in various regions. In geographic references, the name may refer to one or more villages or places, with the exact location clarified by context.

See also: Pot; Cookware; Polish toponymy.