Our stoneware is made to be used daily. It is not delicate and it does not need special handling. There are only a few things worth knowing.
Everyday use
- Dishwasher: completely safe. Load normally.
- Microwave: safe. Nothing in the glaze or body contains metal.
- Oven: safe to 180°C. Put the piece into a cold oven and let it heat with the oven rather than placing it into an already hot one.
- Freezer: fine, though let a piece come back to room temperature before heating it.
The one real rule
Avoid thermal shock. A hot piece under a cold tap can crack, and so can a cold piece placed straight onto a hot burner. Stoneware is strong but it does not enjoy sudden temperature change.
The unglazed foot
We leave the foot ring raw on most pieces so the clay body stays visible. Raw stoneware is slightly abrasive, so lift rather than drag across a polished surface. If it ever feels rough, a few seconds with fine sandpaper will settle it permanently.
Marks and crazing
Metal cutlery can leave grey marks on matte glazes. They are surface deposits, not scratches, and come away with a damp cloth and a little bicarbonate of soda.
Some pieces develop a fine web of lines in the glaze over the years. This is called crazing. It does not affect strength or food safety, and on a matte oatmeal glaze most people come to prefer it.
Is it food safe?
Yes. Every glaze we use is mixed in the studio from raw minerals and contains no lead or barium. The high firing temperature seals the clay completely, so nothing is porous and nothing leaches.