Know what you have
If you made the piece, you know the clay body, the glaze and the cone. If you bought or were given it, ask the maker or check any label or note that came with it. A high-fired stoneware mug and a low-fired earthenware bowl need different care, and decorative pieces may not be made for food at all.
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Is it earthenware, stoneware or porcelain? | Earthenware stays slightly porous and is more prone to chips |
| Is the glaze food safe? | Decorative glazes may not be suitable for eating or drinking |
| Is there metallic luster or gold? | Metal decoration can spark in a microwave and wear off in a dishwasher |
| Is the glaze crazed? | Fine cracks can trap food and let water into porous clay |
Washing
Handwashing with warm water and mild dish soap is the gentlest option for any handmade piece. Many potters make stoneware and porcelain to cope with a dishwasher, but repeated cycles can dull some glazes over time. Unless the maker says otherwise, keep earthenware, luster and decorative pieces out of the dishwasher. Avoid steel wool and harsh scouring powders on glazed surfaces.
Microwaves, ovens and sudden changes
Thermal shock is the cracking that happens when part of a pot heats or cools much faster than the rest. Handmade pots, with their varying thickness, are more prone to it than factory ware.
- Don't move a pot straight from the fridge or freezer into a hot oven, or pour boiling liquid into a very cold mug.
- Put ceramic bakeware into the oven as it heats, and set it on a wooden board or cloth when it comes out, not on a cold or wet counter.
- Never put ordinary pottery on a stovetop burner or under a broiler. Only ware made for direct flame can take that.
- Keep anything with metallic decoration out of the microwave.
- If a piece gets very hot in the microwave while the food stays cool, the clay may be absorbing water. Stop using it there.
Unglazed bases
The foot of most pots is left bare so it doesn't stick to the kiln shelf. Bare clay can scratch tables and absorb water. Potters usually sand the foot smooth, and you can add felt pads to decorative pieces. Let earthenware and pieces with porous bases dry upside down after washing so water doesn't stay trapped in the clay.
Planters and vases
Water can seep slowly through low-fired or unglazed clay and mark furniture. Use a saucer or a liner, and check the base of a vase for damp spots in the first days of use. Frost can crack porous pots left outside in freezing weather, so bring them in or use clay rated for outdoor use.
Chips, cracks and repairs
A small chip on the outside of a pot is mostly a cosmetic issue, though sharp edges can be smoothed with a fine diamond pad. A crack that runs through the wall, a chipped rim you drink from, or a crack that seeps is a sign to retire the piece from food use. Glues and kintsugi-style repairs suit decorative pieces. For anything that will touch food again, check that the repair product is labeled for food contact, and when in doubt, keep the repaired piece for display.
Storing
Stack bowls and plates with a paper towel or cloth between them to protect glaze surfaces and unglazed rims. Hang mugs by the body rather than the handle if the handle joint shows any crack. Keep fragile pieces at the back of the cupboard, away from the edge.