How to season clay pot is a simple guide that helps you use new clay pots the right way. A properly seasoned clay pot cooks food evenly and brings out amazing aroma while cooking. And the food tastes different and the aroma fills your kitchen.
The seasoning process takes a few days but it just makes the clay pot last much longer and cook better. Clay pots have been used in Indian homes for years and they continue to be favourite for making curries and everyday dishes.
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About Clay Pot
Clay pot or manchatty is a traditional cookware that is used for making curries, rice dishes and many everyday Indian foods. There are two types of clay pots, brown ones which are regular clay pots and black ones which are brown pots that are burnt for a few days. Both types work well but black clay pots are stronger and last longer because they are burnt and become more durable.
Cooking in clay pot is a bit different from metal cookware. The pot takes longer to heat up but once heated it cooks food evenly and keeps heat for long time. Even after switching off the stove the food continues to cook which is a specialty of clay pots. The food gets cooked slowly and evenly which brings out flavour and taste beautifully.
Clay pots have small pores in them which is why they need proper seasoning before first use. When you season the clay pot with starch water and oil it fills these pores and makes the cooking surface smooth. The seasoning process takes around five days but it is worth doing properly because it makes the pot last longer and cook better.
I usually buy clay pots from local shops and I ask shopkeeper for tips before bringing them home. I use clay pots for making fish curries, vegetable curries and rice dishes regularly.
How to Season Clay Pot - Things needed
- Water - Plain water is used for first soaking. Water helps pores in clay pot to open up gently before seasoning begins.
- Starch Water - Rice cooked water or rice washed water is used for soaking clay pot for three days. It helps seal pores and prepare the surface for oil seasoning.
- Ghee or Coconut Oil - I have used ghee or coconut oil for seasoning and spreading on both sides of pot. It fills pores and creates protective layer on cooking surface.
- Grated Coconut - Used during final seasoning step with oil. Coconut helps spread oil evenly inside pot and season cooking surface well.
- Turmeric Powder - Added to boiling water during last step of seasoning. Turmeric has natural properties that help complete seasoning process.
- Coconut Scrubber - Used for scrubbing pot during washing and initial preparation. It removes any loose particles without damaging clay surface.
Similar Recipes
How to season claypots Step by Step
1.These 2 are the new claypots I am going to season for first use. First rinse and wash it well. Use a coconut scrubber.
2.Scrub it well, rinse and wash the claypots well.
3.After washing soak the claypots in plain water for 1 day. After you soak you can hear a slight sizzle sound if you note it keenly there are small pores in the claypots so when waters enters first time you can hear that mild sound.
4.Next day again scrub and wash it, soak in starch water(rice cooked water) or rice washed water for 3 days. Daily make it a point to change the starch water.
5.Wash it again sun dry it. Now add ghee or coconut oil.
6.Spread it well on both the sides back and top. Sun dry it for 2 -3 hrs until the oil is completely absorbed and is dry. Now add ghee or coconut oil, switch on the stove.
7.Add 1-2 tablespoon grated coconut and saute it well so that the coconut and oil spreads all over the inside of the pan. Saute until golden.
8.Do it for both the pans. Now remove the coconut add water along with turmeric powder let it come to a boil. Switch off and dry under the sun. Now your claypots are ready to use.
How to maintain claypots
1.After use let the pots come to room temperature then soak in water for a while. Then using coconut scrapper scrap the extras. The black one I used for making paneer fried rice today morning for packing mittus lunchbox and the brown one for making ragi koozh.
2.Scrub well and wash it in running water. Never use detergents or any soapy liquids. As there are small pores in the claypot there are chances for the soap to enter through the pores which in turn can mix in the food while getting cooked.So use rice flour or besan flour or chapathi flour to wash it. After washing in plain water then sprinkle rice flour.
3.Scrub it well and wash it
4.Sun dry it then store.
This is the way I seasoned my claypots and maintain it.Hope you find this post useful.
Expert Tips
- Buying Clay Pots - Always pick pot that feels heavy and thick. Knock on back and listen for sharp loud sound, louder sound means good quality pot.
- First Cooking - You should make curries first time not dry dishes. This is safer because clay pot stays moist and there is less chance of burning smell.
- Heat Level - Always use low to medium flame while cooking in clay pot. High heat can cause cracks because clay gets too hot and expands.
- Cooling Down - Never pour water into hot pot immediately after cooking. Wait for it to cool naturally for while then soak in water slowly.
- Empty Pot Warning - Never heat clay pot when it is empty, this can damage it. Always have something cooking or liquid inside when heating.
- Washing Method - Use only rice flour or besan flour for washing, never use soap. Soap can enter small pores and mix with food during cooking.
Storage
After using a clay pot, let it cool down to room temperature before washing. Soak it in water for a while and then gently scrub it with coconut scrubber to remove stuck food. Wash it in running water using rice flour or besan flour, never use any soap or detergent as it can damage seasoning. Sun dry it completely before storing it in a dry place on your kitchen shelf.
FAQS
1.Can I use soap for washing?
No you should never use soap because it enters small pores in clay and can mix with food. Use rice flour or besan flour instead for washing.
2.When should I discard the clay pot?
If you see mild cracks forming at back of pot then stop using it for cooking. You can use it for soaking ragi or for gardening instead.
3.Which type is better, brown or black clay pot?
Black clay pots are stronger and last longer because they are burnt for few days. Brown ones are good too but black ones are more durable for regular cooking.
4.Can I use clay pot on induction?
No clay pots work only on gas stove, they will not work on induction cooktops. You need gas flame for clay pot to heat properly.
5.How long does seasoning process take?
Initial seasoning takes around five days with soaking and oil application. Real seasoning happens with regular cooking over first few weeks as you use it more.
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📖 Recipe Card
How to season claypot for first use | How to maintain claypots
Ingredients
- Water
- Starch Water
- Ghee or Coconut Oil
- Grated Coconut
- Turmeric Powder
- Coconut Scrubber
Instructions
How to season claypots for first use
- These 2 are the new claypots I am going to season for first use.First rinse and wash it well.Use a coconut scrubber.
- Scrub it well , rinse and wash the claypots well.
- After washing soak the claypots in plain water for 1 day.After you soak you can hear a slight sizzle sound if you note it keenly there are small pores in the claypots so when waters enters first time you can hear that mild sound.
- Next day again scrub and wash it, soak in starch water(rice cooked water) or rice washed water for 3 days.Daily make it a point to change the starch water.
- Wash it again sun dry it.Now add ghee or coconut oil.
- Spread it well on both the sides back and top.Sun dry it for 2 -3 hrs until the oil is completely absorbed and is dry.Now add ghee or coconut oil, Switch on the stove.
- Add 1-2 tablespoon grated coconut and saute it well so that the coconut and oil spreads all over the inside of the pan. Saute until golden.
- Do it for both the pans.Now remove the coconut add water along with turmeric powder let it come to a boil.Switch off and dry under the sun.Now your claypots are ready to use.
How to maintain claypots
- After use let the pots come to room temperature then soak in water for a while.Then using coconut scrapper scrap the extras.The black one I used for making paneer fried rice today morning for packing mittus lunchbox and the brown one for making ragi koozh.
- Scrub well and wash it in running water.Never use detergents or any soapy liquids.As there are small pores in the claypot there are chances for the soap to enter through the pores which in turn can mix in the food while getting cooked.So use rice flour or besan flour or chapathi flour to wash it.After washing in plain water then sprinkle rice flour.
- Scrub it well and wash it
- Sun dry it then store.
- This is the way I seasoned my claypots and maintain it.Hope you find this post useful.
Notes
- Buying Clay Pots - Always pick pot that feels heavy and thick. Knock on back and listen for sharp loud sound, louder sound means good quality pot.
- First Cooking - You should make curries first time not dry dishes. This is safer because clay pot stays moist and there is less chance of burning smell.
- Heat Level - Always use low to medium flame while cooking in clay pot. High heat can cause cracks because clay gets too hot and expands.
- Cooling Down - Never pour water into hot pot immediately after cooking. Wait for it to cool naturally for while then soak in water slowly.
- Empty Pot Warning - Never heat clay pot when it is empty, this can damage it. Always have something cooking or liquid inside when heating.
- Washing Method - Use only rice flour or besan flour for washing, never use soap. Soap can enter small pores and mix with food during cooking.
Vatsala
Thanks a lot for this post
Geetavani
Hi mam
Thanks for the informative post
I bought two clay pots but I dint season it . And am using it without seasoning . Can I season it now.
Sharmilee J
yes you can season it now also
Geetavani
Thank you mam ☺️
vandana
very informative.lot of effort goes into cleaning and maintaining these kind of utensils.
Swapna
Hello
If we have big size clay pot how can we prepare large quantity rice cooked/washed water required for pot to completely soak...Please reply....Thanks in advance.
Sharmilee J
You can use half rice cooked/washed water mixed with water in that case.
Suja
Thanks a bunch for this post Sharmi !
jennet fernandes
i have bought a new mud pot and seasoned it myself after following all instructions well, while washing the clay pot i still find a little muddy water. is it normal OR will it go gradually.
Sharmilee J
It should not...but still you can boil water daily for about a week to get rid of the extra mud and then use it
Deepika
Dear sharmi akka, hope you are doing well in life. I am a silent follower of you..just love your posts..
Just a quick question since you mentioned that when the claypot is hot we are not suppose to show the pot in cold water for washing, likewise won't it effect the pot when we are adding cold water after roasting the coconut.
Thank you.
Sharmilee J
Hi Deepika
Thank you so much for your kind words!
No not at all while cooking its not a problem...while cooking the only thing to be noted it not to heat the empty pot as it may lead to crack.
Hope this helps!
Sugandha Verma
Thank you for the post sharmilee ji. Very good post. I have one mud tawa and two curd making burnt clay pots. Should I season them both in the same way?
Sharmilee J
yes both bown and black ones season it the same way
Sugandha
Also how to tell if the black clay pot is actually burnt and not painted?
Sharmilee J
I am really not sure have heard from shopkeeper that while cooking you get a smell in orginal claypots which will be missing in painted ones
Prema
I just washed it two times and used it to cook daal and milk. Is it ok if I use like that
Sharmilee J
Seasoning by proper method ensures long life for claypots
Reena
Hi, can the seasoned clay pots be used to set curds?
Sharmilee J
yes but for curd setting you ccan rinse it well soak in starch water for a day then wash again and start using it.
Vasundhara
Hi!
Red the whole procedure.. I purchased a curd pot. Is it also needed to be seasoned before use?
Sharmilee J
yes
Dee
Hello thanks for sharing. How high can you heat black pot? I was using heat no. 4 in my gas stove for brown pot which is kind of med low
Now I got the black ones from India . Can I go higher with heat on that one?
Sharmilee J
Sorry I am not sure of it as I use gas stove and I have used from low to medium high and it works
Garima Pandey
Hi
This post has been great help. I have followed the process step by step andseasoned my claypot. I have used coconut oil to season the pot. Can I use mustard oil for cooking in the pot? Will the taste of coconut oil remain in the pot or I should use another pot for cooking with mustard oil?
Sharmilee J
yes you can use any oil after seasoning
Mohamed akram
Hi I bought a glazed clay pot does it need any preparation before use thanks in advance
Sharmilee J
all claypots are to be seasoned unless if mentioned its preseasoned
Trisha
How to clean earthen clay water bottle before 1st use?
Does the water bottle also need some kind of pre treatment before use??
Sharmilee J
No no just wash it few times may be you can add starch water and wash it.
komal
Great post 🙂 Can you also please guide how the process would be different if I am not using the pot to cook but to store drinking water. Many thanks.
Sharmilee J
the process is same
Leka
I bought a black claypot, just washed, boiled some water in it and used it once. I made fish curry in the morning, it tasted good for lunch but felt some strange oily odour while we had it for dinner. Should I properly season this again and use or simply throw it away and buy a new one?
Sharmilee J
No no dont throw away. Wwash it well then again heat the pan until water dries up completely then add few drops of coconut oil let it smoke a bit switch off then try using it.
Anil
Hi,
Thanks for Post. Very Informative. I too bought a pot and started seasoning as you said.
My doubt is after statue of grated coconut , pot should be cooled or directly add normal water and turmeric? doesnt it crack as suddenly adding water?
And also in middle of cooking , we need to add water for gravy curries can I add normal water directly or should i warm that water to add in curry?
Sharmilee J
While cooking you can add normal water directly and it is absolutely safe. But after cooking let it come to room temperature or atleast warm before you wash.
Terracrafts
Thank you so much for sharing this great post.
Terracrafts
This is an excellent article. Thank you for sharing such useful information.
Latchmi Chinnappan
my old about 1970's mun/earthern chatty is paired black on the inside, is its safe to cook with it?
Sharmilee J
If it is painted then it is terracotta not suitable for cooking, can be used for decor
James Pullatt
That's a pretty detailed, step-by-step seasoning process. Thank you for taking the time to share the knowledge.