Stoneware dinnerware is an impressive addition to your kitchen that improves the overall look and feel of your kitchen. It doesn’t come cheap, and it is also very delicate. Stoneware requires a lot of care when handling as to retain that initial glaze. There are three main areas to look at when caring for stoneware:
1. INITIAL USE
On the first use, stoneware is put through a process called seasoning. Seasoning is the use of oil, coconut oil works well, to make your stoneware have a non-stick coating. It is almost like glazing the inside, as the first few uses will set up the inside of the dinnerware for follow-up usage.
2. CLEANING
Cleaning stoneware should be done by hand. The delicate nature of it does not allow it to be washed in a dishwasher. “Using soap to clean stoneware is not recommended as the taste of soap is absorbed into the stone, and you are going to have to contend with soap-flavored casserole the next time you are using your stones,” said Plum Street Pottery. Furthermore, soap and oil do not work well together. Soap usually breaks down the oil that is used in seasoning process. For really sticky residue, it is advised that you soak the stoneware in hot water for about 20 minutes and scrape the residue off.
3. STORAGE
Care of stoneware would not be complete if maintenance were not involved. Stoneware will get darker with more usage, but there is a popular quote in cooking “The worse it looks, the better it cooks.” However, you can still keep your stoneware in almost pristine condition through your storage methods. When washed, stoneware should be allowed to completely air dry. If your stoneware is stored while it still has water, mildew will grow on it. The surfaces you place your stoneware on should have liners on them. This protects both the stoneware and then surface on which it is placed.
Though it is not recommended that you stack up stoneware, when you do, make sure the largest one goes at the bottom. The rest should do the same with the smaller ones fitting into the larger ones and preferably without the sides touching as they would get scratches anytime you wanted to use them. Lids are placed upside down on their own stoneware and with nothing on top of them.
Stoneware will last you a good while if taken care of properly. All it takes is a little caution, and you might also want to keep the kids away from the stoneware cabinet.
