How to use and enjoy handmade pottery by Alexis Moyer
Most functional pottery is fired to over 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. If used properly, pottery can be used and enjoyed for a lifetime.
There are three main types of pottery you likely have in your collection: Earthenware, Stoneware and Porcelain.
Earthenware is the softest type of pottery and is fired at the lowest temperature so it is the most likely to chip or break. These pieces are often from other countries, like Mexico, and may be pieces you have collected or inherited over the years. If you were given this type of colorful, painted pottery and you don’t really know its origin, then it is a good idea to get a lead test kit from your local hardware store and test the surface to make sure it is lead free and safe to use for food.
Lead was used for many years in glazes to bring out the bright shine and beautiful colors in the glaze. The problem is that when we put acidic foods onto lead glazes the lead leaches out into the food. This becomes especially problematic if acidic foods are stored in lead glazed pottery. It is always good to test your pieces to be sure they are safe for use. If not, they make beautiful decorations!
Stoneware is the most common type of pottery and is what I make at The Pot Shop. It is fired to a higher temperature than earthenware so it is stronger and more durable. If you’ve purchased pottery at an art fair or gallery it is likely stoneware. This type of pottery can be used and enjoyed on a daily basis.
Porcelain pottery is also fairly common and preferred by some potters for its translucent surfaces. It is fired to the hottest temperatures of the three types of pottery and is the strongest overall.
Your pottery can safely be used in a regular oven or microwave oven. It will become hot in either type of oven so be sure to use a hot pad when removing it after heating.
Baked goods like pies will need to bake a few extra minutes because it takes the clay time to heat up in the oven. Once heated though, the heat radiates through your pie and bakes it beautifully and evenly for a delicious result.
Your pottery can safely go into the dishwasher as long as it doesn’t have a China painted surface. Stoneware is generally safe in the dishwasher. When you purchase pottery it is always a good idea to ask and make sure it is dishwasher safe. My pottery is safe to wash in your dishwasher.
Here are a few things to avoid:
Don’t put cold pottery into a hot oven: If you’ve had your pottery in the refrigerator it will need to sit out and come to room temperature before it goes into the oven. Putting it in too soon will cause it to crack.
Don’t Microwave any Pottery with a Metallic Accent – usually gold or silver. Pottery decorated with metallic accents – usually found on the rim – cannot go into the microwave. They also cannot go into the dishwasher.
These accents are made of metals and are fired on at very low temperatures. This type of pottery must be treated very gently and hand washed.
Don’t Use Pottery on the Stovetop: The burner on your stove puts out a LOT of heat and the clay can’t expand fast enough to prevent cracking. It will break if you put it on a burner.
Don’t Use an Electric Mixer in the Bowls: Even though the pottery is high fired it is not durable enough to handle the abuse of an electric mixer. Hand mixing with a wooden spoon or spatula works just fine though.
Don’t Leave Pottery Soaking in Water: Your pottery will be fine going through the wash cycle of your dishwasher but it is good to avoid leaving it soaking for a long time in the sink. Most foods don’t stick too badly to the glaze so a shorter soaking time should free up any stuck foods.
So, Use and Enjoy your Handmade Pottery. If cared for properly your pottery can last for generations.
See my pottery at https://AlexisMoyerPottery.com