Go Back

How to season kalchatti, Soap stone seasoning

How to season kalchatti is a simple guide that helps you use your new soapstone pots the right way. A properly seasoned kalchatti cooks food evenly and brings out amazing flavour while cooking, also the food in the pot continues to cook even after you switch off the flame.
Seasong Time10 days
AuthorSharmilee J

Ingredients

Instructions

How to season kalchatti for first time use Step by Step

  • Take castor oil in a plate, add turmeric powder to it.There is no measurement as such just mix and see it should be in spreadable consistency more like a runny paste.
  • First lay a old newspaper ,place the soapstone pot on it.Using your fingers take little of the mixed castor oil turmeric paste.
  • Apply on all sides.Make sure to spread even at the bottom which is important.
  • If needed add more castor oil and turmeric powder and make a paste then spread.Let it dry in sun for a day.Next day repeat the same process.Mix castor oil turmeric powder paste and apply.So the castor oil turmeric powder process should be done and dried for 5 days in total repeatedly.Keep applying without washing in between.
  • After 5 days wash it with hot water.Using a scrubber scrub it well to remove the oil.
  • Then wash it well.Soak in starch water for the next 5 days.Change the starch water daily.If starch isn't enough for the chatti to immerse fully then add rice rinsed water along with starch water.But make sure the pot is fully immersed.
  • After the last 5 days, wash with mild soap, scrub well and wash it.This is the first and last time you are going to use soap for washing as there are pores even in kalchatti you should not use soaps for washing regularly.
  • Wash well dry it completely for a day.Heat should be introduced slowly so simmer and boil water first.Switch off cool down and dry it, now your kalchatti is ready to start cooking.I first started with payasam as usual my sweet sentiment for new vessels 🙂 The chatti becomes dark in color after the seasoning process.

How to maintain kalchatti Step by Step

  • Now after cooking, switch off.After transferring the dishes, soak in water for atleast 15-20 mins.In case if you have time then heat up the chatti along with soaked water for 5mins then bring to room temperature and scrub it.I usually just soak and wash.First scrub with coconut scrapper alone and wash well.
  • Then add besan flour, scrub it well and wash it well.Dry it in sun until completely dried.Then store it.
  • Dry completely and then store.

Notes

  • Castor Oil Application – I apply castor oil and let it dry in the sun for five days. Make sure to spread it evenly at the bottom.
  • Turmeric Paste – Mix castor oil with turmeric powder and apply on the pot. The turmeric adds to the protective layer being formed.
  • Soaking – I soak kalchatti in starch water for the next five days after oil drying. Change the water daily and keep it fully immersed.
  • Heat Introduction – I introduce heat slowly by simmering water first. Don't use high flame for first few uses.
  • Washing – I soak the vessel in water for 15 to 20 minutes. Scrub with coconut scraper and besan flour then wash well.
  • Drying – Always dry the kalchatti completely in the sun before storing. This keeps it in good condition for longer use.
Tried this recipe?Mention @sharmispassions or tag #sharmispassions
Like our video?Subscribe to our youtube channel to get latest updates!