Emilie Meyer
Clay cooking pots have been used for centuries, but they require careful maintenance to keep them in good condition. Clay is a porous material, so it's important to prepare, clean and store your clay pot correctly. Clay pots must be seasoned, cleaned, and heated properly to prevent them from cracking or becoming mouldy, which can ruin the pot and taint the flavour of your food.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Soaking | Soak unglazed clay pots for at least 15 minutes and up to 2 hours before use to prevent food from drying out during cooking |
| Soak new clay pots overnight to loosen residual clay dust | |
| Soak unglazed clay pots for at least 10-15 minutes before each use | |
| Cleaning | Do not use soap or detergent as it will soak into the pores of the clay and leach into food |
| Use scalding hot water and a stiff brush to clean the pot | |
| Use baking soda or salt as a cleanser | |
| For stubborn stains, use a coarse, unsoaped stainless steel pad or soak overnight in water with baking soda | |
| For caked-on grease and grime, use a mixture of salt and cooking oil, then rinse and dry | |
| Distilled white vinegar can be used to clean terracotta but should not be left on for too long | |
| Sunning clay pots outdoors on a warm, sunny day is another way to kill mold | |
| Storage | Store with the lid open or inverted, with a paper towel in between, so the pot can breathe |
| Ensure the pot is completely dry before storing to prevent mold | |
| To remove mold, apply a paste of equal parts baking soda and water, leave for at least 30 minutes, then brush, rinse, and dry | |
| Other | Clay pots are sensitive to temperature change and will easily crack |
| Clay pots should not be put in a preheated oven | |
| Clay pots absorb a lot of heat and stay hot for a long time after being removed from the oven |
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What You'll Learn
Soak unglazed clay pots before use
Clay pots are sensitive to temperature changes and can easily crack, so it is important to follow certain steps when cleaning and caring for them. Clay is a porous material, and if the clay pores become clogged, the pot should be cooked in boiling water for about 30 minutes. Never use soap or detergent to clean a clay pot as it will be absorbed into the pores and will leach into your food the next time you use it.
If your clay pot is unglazed, you need to soak and season it before use. Soaking the clay pot in water for at least 15 minutes and up to two hours will bring moisture to the porous inner surface, allowing the food to steam while cooking so it doesn't dry out. The water will penetrate the porous surface and assist in the steaming process during cooking.
After the pot is soaked in water, it should be dried, and the interior unglazed surfaces can be rubbed with a clove of garlic. Then, the inside should be coated with vegetable or olive oil. Next, fill the pot 3/4 of the way full with water and heat it at a low temperature either on the stovetop or in the oven for two to three hours. Before each time you plan to cook with the clay pot, you need to soak it in water (only if it is unglazed). Submerge in cold water—both the base and the lid—for 15 minutes.
For general and deep cleaning, allow the clay pot to soak overnight in the sink in water mixed with baking soda. Add 3 tablespoons of baking soda per litre of hot water. Wash it using a soft-bristle brush or non-metallic scrubbing pad. Salt can be used as a non-toxic alternative to chemical cleaners. Sprinkle salt into the pot and scour it using a scouring pad. Rinse the pot with warm water and allow it to dry.
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Avoid extreme temperature changes
Clay pots are sensitive to temperature changes and can easily crack, so it is important to avoid exposing them to extreme temperature differences.
Never place a clay pot in a preheated oven, as the sudden heat can cause the pot to crack. Instead, always place it in a cold oven so that the temperature can gradually increase. If you are cooking on a stovetop, increase the heat of the burner slowly. Using a diffuser can be helpful in regulating the temperature increase.
Allow your clay pot to cool completely before handling it or washing it. Clay retains heat for a long time, and you risk burning yourself if you handle it too soon after cooking.
Before each use, if your clay pot is unglazed, you should soak it in cold water for at least 15 minutes and up to two hours. This process hydrates the porous inner surface, allowing the food to steam while cooking and preventing it from drying out.
When cleaning your clay pot, avoid using soap or detergent as the pores of the clay will absorb it, and it will leach into your food the next time you use the pot, affecting its flavour. Instead, use scalding hot water and a stiff brush to clean the pot. You can also use baking soda or salt as a natural cleanser, allowing the pot to soak overnight in a solution of hot water and baking soda.
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Clean with baking soda and water
Clay pots are sensitive to temperature change and can easily crack, so it is important to avoid exposing them to extreme temperature differences. Clay is also a porous material, so it's important to follow certain steps when cleaning your pot.
To clean your clay pot with baking soda and water, start by filling the pot with hot water and leaving it to soak overnight. For every litre of water, add 3 tablespoons of baking soda. This will help to loosen any residual clay dust or caked-on grease and grime. You can also add a tablespoon of cooking oil to aid in scraping away any residue. In the morning, use a soft-bristled brush or a non-metallic scrubbing pad to wash the pot. If your pot is unglazed, you can use a stiff-bristled brush, but if it is glazed, avoid using stiff bristles to prevent scratching the glaze. Rinse the pot with warm water and allow it to dry completely before putting it away.
For stubborn stains, you can create a baking soda paste by mixing equal parts baking soda and water. Apply this paste to the stained area and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Then, use a brush to scrub the paste away and rinse the pot thoroughly.
If your clay pot has developed a mould or mildew problem, you can also use baking soda to remove it. Create a paste with equal parts baking soda and water and apply it to the affected areas. Leave the paste on for at least 30 minutes, then brush and rinse the pot well. Allow the pot to dry thoroughly in bright sunlight if possible.
It is important to never use soap or detergent when cleaning your clay pot, as the soap will soak into the pores of the clay and can affect the taste of your food. Baking soda and salt are effective and non-toxic alternatives that will safely clean your clay pot.
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Avoid soap or detergent
Clay pots are made of a porous material that can easily absorb soap and detergent, which will then leach into your food the next time you use the pot, leaving an unpleasant soapy taste. For this reason, it is important to avoid using soap or detergent when cleaning your clay cooking pot.
Instead of soap, use scalding hot water and a stiff brush to clean the pot. You can also use baking soda or salt as a cleanser. To do this, let the pot soak overnight in the sink in water mixed with three tablespoons of baking soda per litre of hot water. Then, wash it using a soft-bristled brush or a non-metallic scrubbing pad. For more stubborn stains, use a very coarse unsoaped stainless steel pad, or let the cooker soak overnight filled with water and one to four tablespoons of baking soda. A baking soda soak will also help remove odours and freshen the cooker after cooking pungent foods.
If your clay pot is unglazed, you can use a stiff-bristled brush to scrub away any residual clay dust. If your pot is glazed, avoid using stiff bristles to prevent scratching away the glaze.
Salt can also be used as a non-toxic alternative to chemical cleaners. Sprinkle salt into the pot and scour it using a scouring pad. Then, rinse the pot with warm water and allow it to dry.
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Store with the lid open
Clay cooking pots are sensitive to temperature changes and can easily crack, so it is important to avoid exposing them to extreme temperature differences. Clay pots should always be placed in a cold oven, allowing the temperature to increase gradually.
When storing your clay pot, it is important to ensure it is completely dry before putting it away. Clay is a porous material, and if it is stored while damp, this can lead to the growth of mould within the pores. To store your clay pot correctly, keep it with the lid open, allowing the pot to breathe.
During long periods of storage, mould may form. To remove mould, apply a paste made from equal parts baking soda and water. Leave the paste on the affected area for at least 30 minutes, then brush and rinse the pot thoroughly. Allow the pot to dry completely, preferably in bright sunlight.
To prevent mould from forming, you can also try 'sunning' your clay pot. Place the pot outdoors on a warm, sunny day, allowing it to sunbathe for the afternoon. Bring the pot inside once the sun has set, and rinse it with warm water.
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