Emilie Meyer
Clay pots are beloved by cooks around the world for their ability to create especially delicious food, concentrating flavours and retaining heat. However, cooking with clay pots requires a bit of know-how. Clay pots must be seasoned before first use to prevent them from cracking and to ensure food doesn't stick to the bottom. Here are some tips on how to season a clay cooking pot.
How to Season a Clay Cooking Pot
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to season | Before first use |
| Why season | To strengthen the pot, prevent cracking, and improve durability |
| How to season | Soak in water for 2-hours-8 hours, dry, rub with garlic, fill with water, and heat in the oven at 225°F for 2-3 hours |
| Alternative method | Soak in water for 2 hours, dry, rub with oil, fill with rice water, boil rice water, cool, and wash |
| Cleaning | Avoid soap, use hot water and a gentle, non-abrasive sponge or pad |
| Avoiding thermal shock | Do not place a cold pot on a hot stove or in a hot oven, heat gradually, do not use an electric burner |
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What You'll Learn
Why seasoning is important
Clay pots are beloved worldwide for their ability to cook delicious food, concentrating flavours and retaining heat. They are made of clay and perform differently than metal pots and pans. Before using a clay pot for cooking, it is important to season it correctly. Seasoning helps the clay pot to endure heat and last longer. If not seasoned, the food cooked in it will taste of mud. Clay pots are sensitive to thermal shock and can break when heated. Therefore, it is important to avoid sudden temperature changes. Here are some tips to keep in mind while using a clay pot:
- Never put an empty clay pot directly on the stove or gas. Always add something like oil, vegetables, rice, etc., and then turn on the gas.
- Always cook on low to medium heat.
- Clay pots should be seasoned before first use to temper them for cooking.
- Clay cookware does not like quick, extreme temperature changes. When starting the cooking process in a clay pot, it is important to remember that the process is the opposite of what you would do with a metal pan. With a metal pan, you start the heat high to get up to temperature quickly and then turn the heat down.
- Clay pots should be hand-washed with hot water and a gentle abrasive pad. For difficult areas to clean, soak the pot in hot water for a few minutes and then scrub.
- Clay pots are dishwasher safe, but hand washing is recommended to give the pot the best care. Clay is a porous material and may absorb dishwashing detergent, which can then leach back into the food.
By following these tips and correctly seasoning your clay pot, you can ensure that your pot is durable and provides you with many years of fantastic cooking.
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How to season before first use
Clay pots are beloved by cooks around the world for their ability to cook especially tasty food, concentrating flavours and retaining heat. However, if they are not seasoned before their first use, your meal may taste of mud. Here is how to season a clay pot correctly before cooking with it for the first time.
Firstly, wash the clay pot. Soak the pot in water for at least two hours, or even overnight. The next day, dry the pot in the sun or with a cloth. Then, rub oil generously on all sides of the pot and leave it in the sun again. You can also use coconut oil to season the pot, which will give your food a slightly oily, strange odour.
After this, fill the pot with rice water and leave it overnight. The next day, boil this rice water in the clay pot. Allow the rice water to cool down, then throw it away and wash the pot again. You can use gram flour or baking soda instead of soap, or a mild detergent on flameware.
Now your pot is seasoned and ready to use. When cooking with clay pots, remember to avoid extreme temperature changes, as this can cause thermal shock and crack the clay. Never heat an empty clay pot, and do not place a cold pot over high heat. Instead, heat the pot gradually after filling so that the ingredients and pot heat at the same rate.
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How to clean a clay pot
Clay pots are sensitive to thermal shock, so it is important to avoid sudden temperature changes. Before cleaning, allow the pot to cool down. To clean a clay pot, you should avoid using soap or harsh cleaning agents, as these might be absorbed into the porous clay structure. Instead, use hot water and a gentle, non-abrasive cleaning pad to scrub the pot. For stuck-on food, soak the pot briefly in lukewarm water to soften residue and then use a soft sponge to remove. For difficult areas, first soak the pot for a few minutes in hot water and then scrub with a non-abrasive pad or brush. You can also add baking soda or a mild detergent before scrubbing.
If you are using a dishwasher, it is recommended that you hand wash your clay pot to avoid potential detergent absorption. To dry the pot, you can place it in an oven at 200°F for 30 minutes to ensure that all moisture is removed before storing it in a cool, dry place.
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Avoiding thermal shock
Clay pots are sensitive to thermal shock, which can cause them to crack or break. To avoid thermal shock, it is important to gradually heat your clay pot and avoid sudden temperature changes. Here are some tips to avoid thermal shock when seasoning and using your clay cooking pot:
Firstly, when preparing your clay pot for its first use, it is important to season it. Seasoning strengthens the pot, prevents cracking, and improves its durability. To season a clay pot, you should first wash it with warm water and a mild dish soap, then rinse and dry it thoroughly. Next, coat the pot with a thin layer of cooking oil, using a clean cloth to ensure all surfaces are covered. Place the oiled pot in a cold oven to prevent thermal shock and set the temperature to around 300°F (150°C). Allow the pot to heat up gradually for about 45 minutes to an hour, then turn off the oven and let the pot cool down inside.
When cooking with your seasoned clay pot, always start with low heat and gradually increase the temperature. Do not place a cold pot directly on a high heat source or in a hot oven. Instead, fill the pot with ingredients and heat them gradually so that the pot and its contents heat up together. You can also heat water or broth and add it to the pot midway through cooking. Avoid heating a clay pot over an electric burner, as the direct heat can cause the pot to heat up too quickly, leading to thermal shock.
Use wooden utensils when cooking with a clay pot, as metal utensils can cause accidental breakage. When removing the pot from the heat, place it on a stove-side landing pad made of kitchen linens, rather than directly on a cold countertop. Similarly, avoid placing a hot pot directly into cold water. Instead, let it cool down gradually.
By following these tips and handling your clay pot with care, you can avoid thermal shock and enjoy the unique benefits of cooking with clay!
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How to season a clay pot that's already in use
If your clay pot is already in use, it's important to ensure that it is well-seasoned to prevent it from cracking and to extend its lifespan. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to season a clay pot that's already in use:
- Wash your clay pot thoroughly. Use lukewarm water and a soft sponge or a non-abrasive brush to remove any stuck-on food residue. Avoid using soap or harsh cleaning agents as they can be absorbed into the porous clay structure.
- Soak the clay pot in water for at least 2 hours to overnight. This helps prepare the clay to absorb the seasoning.
- After soaking, dry the pot completely. You can leave it under the sun or in a warm, dry place.
- Rub oil generously onto all sides of the pot. You can use coconut oil, mustard oil, or any cooking oil of your choice.
- Place the pot in a cool oven and turn it on to 225°F (or 200°F if bacterial growth is a concern). You can also use a heat diffuser on the stovetop, especially if you have a gas cooktop.
- Heat the pot for 2 to 3 hours, then turn off the oven and let the pot cool down inside. This step helps seal the pores of the clay and prevents it from absorbing food flavours and odours.
- Once the pot is cool, it is ready for use. Cook water-based recipes like rice, grains, soup, or lentils for the first few times to fully season the pot. Avoid dry-cooking sautéed meat initially.
- Always start cooking on low heat and gradually increase the temperature. Clay pots perform differently than metal pots and pans, so take care to avoid sudden temperature changes to prevent cracking.
- To maintain your clay pot, hand wash it with hot water and a gentle abrasive pad. Avoid using soap, and instead, use a mild detergent if necessary. Dry the pot completely before storing it in a cool, dry place.
By following these steps, you can properly season your clay pot that's already in use, ensuring it develops a long-lasting and flavoursome cooking life.
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