How to Buy, Season, Clean & Maintain Clay Pots for Drinking Water? Natural Cool Water ~ Matka Pani, by Nisha Thaju on YouTube. 6 min 53 s.
- Video length
- 6 min 53 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes plus 24 hours soaki
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Check the pot before you pay for it. Tap the side and listen for a clear ringing sound, then look for cracks, chips and a plain, unglazed inside. Skip pots with painted or glazed interiors.
Rinse the new pot inside and out with plain water to wash out dust and loose clay. Do not use soap or detergent, because the clay soaks it up.
Season the pot by filling it to the top with clean water and leaving it to stand for 24 hours. Some pots seep a little at first, so rest it on a tray or cloth.
Tip out the first water, since it picks up clay dust and any earthy smell. Fill the pot again with fresh drinking water.
Scrub the inside with a stiff brush and plain water once a week. Work around the base and the rim, where a slimy film builds up fastest.
Rinse well, refill with fresh water and put the lid on. Keep the pot in a shaded, airy spot, away from direct sun.
Empty and sun-dry the pot for a few hours once a month. This freshens it and stops a musty smell from settling into the clay.
Store the pot dry and upside down between seasons. Keep it off damp floors so mould does not grow on the base.
Tips and common mistakes
Never use dish soap on an unglazed pot, as the clay holds the taste and suds.
Keep the pot full of water while you are using it, because a dry clay pot can crack.
Change the water every two days and scrub the pot weekly, even if it looks clean.
Rest the pot on a stand or thick cloth, since the sweating base can mark wood and tiles.
Questions
How long does water stay cool in a clay pot?
Water in a seasoned pot stays noticeably cooler than tap water for most of the day, as long as the pot sits in shade and air can move around it. Refill it daily and top it up rather than letting it empty.
Do I have to boil the water first?
The pot cools water but does not purify it. If your tap water is not safe to drink, boil and cool it before pouring it into the pot.
Can I clean the pot with vinegar or lemon?
A little lemon juice in water can help with smells, but rinse it out thoroughly afterwards. Strong cleaners and bleach soak into the clay and are hard to remove.
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.
