What are the disadvantages of using commercial bases for stock?

Answer 1

The main and possibly the only advantage to using commercial stock bases is to save time.

If you don't have time to make your own stock, and most of us don't have that time or don't want to go to the trouble, there are really good quality liquid stocks on the market, which have good storage life and don't need refrigeration until opened, and which in flavour and nutritional value, not to mention integrity of ingredients, far surpass dried and cube stock bases, which generally produce what can only be described as flavoured hot water.

Personally, I'd use plain water before I'd use a 'stock' cube or powdered 'stock'. If your other basic ingredients are good, and properly cooked, you'll still end up with a flavourful dish.

Answer 2

Commercial stock bases have much higher levels of sodium and preservatives. Also when using a commercial base there isn't as much depth to the flavor of the stock and the others items it is used to prepare.