How to Cure Clay Pots for Cooking, by Ana Regalado on YouTube. 9 min 9 s.
- Video length
- 9 min 9 s
- Time to do it
- 1 day
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Rinse the pot inside and out with warm water and a stiff brush. Skip dish soap, because dry clay absorbs it and the taste lingers.
Fill a basin or your sink with water and submerge the pot completely. Leave it overnight, about 12 hours, so the clay soaks up water and is less likely to crack.
Lift the pot out, empty it and fill it with fresh water. Add 2 or 3 crushed garlic cloves and 1 tablespoon of salt or 1/4 cup of white vinegar.
Set the pot on the stove over the lowest heat, on a heat diffuser if you have one. Warm it slowly for 5 to 10 minutes before raising the heat at all.
Bring the water to a gentle simmer and hold it there for 20 to 30 minutes. Do not let it boil hard or the pot can crack.
Turn off the heat and let the pot cool completely on the stove, still full of water. Never move a hot clay pot to a cold surface.
Tip out the water and scrub the inside with a brush and warm water. Look over the glaze for cracks or chips while it is wet.
Repeat the simmer with fresh water once more if the pot is heavily glazed or still smells earthy. Two rounds is plenty for most pots.
Stand the pot upside down on a rack and let it air dry for 24 hours. It is ready for its first real dish once it is bone dry.
Tips and common mistakes
Always heat and cool a clay pot gradually, since a sudden temperature change is the fastest way to crack it.
Test any shiny glaze with a lead test kit if you are not sure where the pot came from, and stop using it if the glaze is chipped.
Never put a clay pot in the dishwasher or leave it soaking for days, as it can grow mould and hold odours.
Cook saucy, moist dishes in the pot for the first few uses before trying anything dry or fried.
Questions
Can I cure a clay pot in the oven instead?
Yes, some cooks coat the pot lightly in oil and bake it low and slow, but the water soak and simmer method is gentler on the clay. Pick one method and do not stack both on the same day.
How do I know the pot is safe to cook in?
Traditional Mexican glazes can contain lead, so a cheap lead test kit on the glazed surface is worth the money. If the test is positive or the glaze is worn, use the pot for plants or decoration instead.
Do I have to cure the pot again later?
No, one full cure is enough. Just soak the pot in water for 20 to 30 minutes before each use and dry it well afterwards.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
