Re big pots: I agree, a very good idea. Boiling water a gallon at a time would drive me nuts.

I keep a few stainless steel stock pots around. I think they hold 20 litres (4 gal.) or so. They're not expensive new, and sometimes they come up in second-hand stores or garage sales for a few dollars. I can put two of those on my wood stove to melt snow or boil water as needed.