Stoneware has been used in kitchens for thousands of years. Traditional clay cooking pots are used all over the world. North Africa and China have their versions. The famous Spanish dish paella is made in a stoneware pot called a cazuela. You can buy a wide array of stoneware cooking pots today to bake crusty loaves of bread or tantalizing roasts. Most stoneware can go from oven to the table or even from the microwave to the refrigerator. Cooks have rediscovered the ancient practice of cooking in clay. Stoneware, when treated correctly, can be passed down through generations.
Stoneware is made of clay and fired at a temperature of 2,300 degrees Fahrenheit. The pots may be glazed or left unglazed. The term "stoneware" is sometimes used to describe enameled cast iron or decorative pots that must not be used for cooking. Jean Pare in his book, "Gifts from the Kitchen," says that stoneware will not absorb the odors or flavors of food. The glazed pots are less porous than the buff colored or terracotta unglazed pots. Stoneware cannot be used on the stovetop.
Stoneware heats evenly, resulting in food that is uniformly cooked. The cooking pots are a "green" way to cook, because they are made of natural clay. They are free of toxins that can leach into food. Check the labels when you buy stoneware to ensure it has been made with lead-free clay. Stoneware cooking pots can be more expensive than ceramics or metal cookware, and they can chip if they are dropped. Small chips do not prevent continued use.
When you buy glazed stoneware, you can treat it like any other cooking pot or pan. But unglazed stoneware should be seasoned. You should rub the inside of the pot with cooking oil, and leave it in an oven set at 250 degrees overnight. Let it cool before you store it. Each time you use the pot, use some cooking oil. Never wash a seasoned pot with soap. Just rinse it with warm water, and dry it thoroughly. Metal utensils can scratch the seasoning, so use wood or plastic utensils.
The heavy-duty pots can last for generations if they are properly cared for. Most stoneware sold today comes with a warranty. Some even have a lifetime guarantee. Stoneware, like cast iron, gets better with age. If it is properly seasoned, it becomes more efficient with use. You might look for used stoneware because you don't have to break it in. The pots grow black with use, but this coating should be left on the pots -- that is what is called seasoning. Stoneware is porous, so seasoning it gives it a nonstick capability.