Clay pots are great alternatives for cooking as food gets evenly cooked in them. Besides, they can be used on an electric stove. So, cooking in clay pots is easy.
But, there are some rules to maintain such as using a diffuser, cooking in low to medium heat, avoiding frequent temperature changes, etc.
Using a clay pot on an electric stove
Clay pots are environment friendly and great for cooking. They can easily be used on an electric stove. But, a few things require prime concern. A diffuser is required to prevent heat shock. As clay pots are not as durable as metal ones, it demands extra coats to get exposed to heat.
Korean clay pots are widely used for cooking different Korean dishes such as soondubu (stew) and guk (soup). They can consume and retain the heat for a long time so that you can enjoy your meal until the last sip.
These Korean clay pots can also be used on an electric stove. But these earthenware are not as durable as stones and cannot tolerate high heat. So, the following cautiousness should be followed while using Korean clay pots.
Low to medium heat:
Clay pots are made of clay which is less durable than stone. So you cannot use clay pots like other non-stick cookware which are basically made of stone or other metal.
Stone-based utensils can easily tolerate high heat as they are stronger than clay. So you can cook in a high flame if you use them. But, the scenario is different for clay pots. Low to medium heat is suggested for using clay pots.
Unlike stone-based utensils, the clay pots get cracked by overheating. Therefore, you should avoid high heat while cooking in clay pots.
Frequent temperature change:
While cooking, you may need to change the temperature from high to low and vice versa several times. Such temperature change may not hamper your non-stick stone-based cookware.
Unlike stone-based cookware, the frequent temperature change is not good for Korean clay pots. Alongside low to medium temperatures, Korean clay pots cannot tolerate temperature change. So make sure you cook at an almost constant temperature.
As clay pots are intolerant to temperature change, they might crack if you shift your temperatures more often. So avoid doing such a thing to protect your precious Korean clay from deteriorating.
Also, avoid pouring cold liquid into your hot pot or keeping them on a cold surface. This may also lead to crack.
How to properly use a clay pot on an electric stove?
Clay pots are sensitive to handle and not as durable as stone utensils. So certain precautions should be maintained while using them on an electric stove. Proper use of clay pots includes the following steps-
Use a diffuser:
The first and foremost precaution of using clay pots on an electric stove is to use a diffuser. Clay pots can easily produce thermal shock on an electric surface. Diffusers in that case can create a barrier and prevent any unwanted incident.
Slow heating:
While cooking, you need to make sure that the heat is not too high. Besides, increase the heat gradually. Sudden exposure to heat might destroy your clay pot. You can use a preheated clay pot on an electric stove to minimize the threat.
Clay pots are intolerant to high flame. So low to medium temperature is usually suggested for clay pots while cooking. Besides, you should not change the temperature quite often. A sudden shift in temperature might be threatening the survival of clay pots.
On an electric stove, place your clay pot and put the temperature on low. Gradually increase the temperature to medium but not more than that. Another way is to use a preheated clay pot on an electric stove.
Alongside, try to cook at a constant temperature. Or you can slightly change the heat as per requirement but frequent shifting is suggested to avoid.
Handle with care:
Clay pots are great as cookware. They can absorb the heat well and retain it for a longer period. As a result, the food remains at the desired temperature for a better experience.
As mentioned earlier, clay pots are less durable than stone ones, they require more care while using. Harsh handling like stone-based cookware cannot be tolerated by them.
So, to avoid crack or accidental breakage, use wooden or non-metal tools to stir food on clay pots. And obviously stir gently. Moreover, don’t tap them on the edge of your pot.
Safe and careful storage:
You should never keep heated clay pots in a cold place. Rather, use double-layer linen pads to put heated clay pots. You can use stove-side landing pads to keep hot pots or lids. Do not use any metal on them, instead use wooden or cloth mats.
You can’t keep your clay utensils safe unless you follow these steps with great care.
What type of stove is best for clay pots?
Clay pots are great for cooking. They are more eco-friendly than any other metal or stone-based cookware. Besides, heat is distributed evenly on clay pots. So the food gets cooked nicely.
Clay pots can also retain heat and moisture for a long duration. It helps to keep food tasty so that you can enjoy your meal until the last bite. It keeps the liquid warm and makes it more appealing.
But while using clay pots, some considerations should be maintained properly. Not every stove is suitable for clay pots. As clay pots are less durable than metals and stones, they cannot sustain high and uneven heat.
Therefore, a low to medium range of heat is required for them which is also evenly distributed. So, you should use those stoves that can distribute heat all over the surface. Wooden stoves are better in that sense.
Gas stoves can be used for clay pots as they provide somewhat even heat, but wood stoves provide even heat appropriately. So, they are best suited for clay pots. In addition, a diffuser is required for preventing thermal shock. It also helps to control the temperature.
3 tips to use, clean, and take care of your clay cookware:
Clay pots are great to cook if the following tips are followed properly and carefully. Their sensitivity and less-durability demand this special care.
Using procedure:
During cooking, make sure the temperature is in the low to medium range. About 190° C to 250° C temperature is recommended for oven cooking in clay pots. If it takes a longer time, then cook in lower heat to prevent any damage or breakage.
Use alternative ways of cooking. For example, if you want a crispy or brown texture, you can remove the lid rather than increase the temperature. While pouring broth or any liquid, make sure they are hot enough. Cold water or broth might break the clay pot.
After cooking, keep them on a double-layer linen pad, wooden mat, or heat-resistant trivet, rather than cold countertop or any surface. Remove the lid carefully so that the steam cannot scald you and keep it on a pad or mat.
Cleaning procedure:
You need to take precautions while cleaning your clay pot. Because they are very sensitive to harsh detergent and less durable than any other metal or stone-based cookware. So, be careful of choosing cleaning essentials.
It is completely fine to put clay pots on mild detergent, but make sure they are washed by hand. Cool down your clay pot first after cooking and put warm water in it to remove traces of food.
To remove food items use hot water with detergent and wash them with a gentle pad. To remove odors use two tablespoons of baking soda on hot water and soak your clay out for a while.
Do not use any metallic scrub pad, rather use a soft brush or pad to wash them.
You can also use salt as an alternative to chemical cleaners. Sprinkle salt into the clay pot, use a scouring pad to wash, and rinse with warm water. Let them dry in the air well and store them in a dry place.
If any molds form, wash them with baking soda and warm water.
Special care:
Along with cleaning, a proper storage way of your clay pots should be maintained. You cannot store them in any place. Make sure the place is dry and well ventilated for air circulation.
After cleaning, dry your clay pots well in the air. Keep the lid open so that air can circulate easily. You can cover the lid with paper or a towel and place it on the pot inversely to prevent chipping.
Final thoughts
Though clay pots are products of primitive technology, they can be used on modern electric stoves. But to prevent damage or unwanted incidents like thermal shock, a diffuser should be used as a barrier between the clay pot and the electric stove. Low to medium constant heat is also important here.