Each piece of our handmade stoneware is carefully crafted to be durable and beautiful. Designed for normal everyday use, our pottery is meant to bring art into the rituals of your daily life - but without being too fussy about it. While our pottery is tough enough to take a considerable amount of abuse, it is helpful to know that a little bit of extra care will go a long way towards the longevity of your collection. To ensure your pieces last for years to come, follow these simple care instructions.

The Basics:

• Microwave Safe: Our stoneware pottery is microwave safe for heating up your favorite meals or drinks. However, rapid temperature changes (like moving directly from the fridge to the microwave) should be avoided to prevent stress on the piece. Please note that stoneware is excellent at retaining heat, so please handle your recently heated pot with care!

• Dishwasher Safe: You can safely clean your pieces in the dishwasher. For long-term care, we recommend using the top rack for smaller items or placing larger pieces with care to avoid clattering during the wash cycle.

• Oven Safe: Our pottery can go from room temperature to the oven. Always place your pottery in a cold oven, allowing it to heat up gradually to avoid thermal shock. Avoid placing pottery in a preheated oven.

Tips for Longevity:

Prevent Thermal Shock:

• Thermal Shock Prevention: Avoid sudden temperature changes, such as placing a cold dish into a hot oven or microwave. Allow the piece to warm up or cool down naturally.

• Example: If you’re using a piece straight from the fridge, let it come to room temperature before placing it in the oven or microwave.

Stain Removal & Maintenance:

• Avoid Stains: Stoneware is resistant to staining, but over the years it’s possible that marks from tea, coffee, or highly pigmented foods could build up. A gentle scrub with baking soda or a non-abrasive cleaner can help remove stains.
• Tougher Stains: For more persistent stains, create a paste with baking soda and water. Let it sit on the stain for a few minutes before scrubbing gently with a soft cloth or sponge.

Handling in the Oven:

• Room Temperature to Oven: Make sure your piece is at room temperature before placing it in the oven. To avoid cracking, never move your pottery directly from the fridge (or freezer!) to a hot oven.
• Gradual Heating: Place your pottery in a cold oven and allow it to heat up with the oven to avoid thermal shock. This ensures the stoneware heats evenly without stress on the material.
• Maximum Temperature: Our stoneware can safely handle oven temperatures up to 450°F. Allow it to cool naturally after use - don’t put it straight in the sink.

Scratch and Chip Resistance:

• Our pottery is made to be scratch-resistant, but to avoid surface marks, consider using non-metal utensils and soft sponges when cleaning. Small surface scratches from regular use can often be buffed out with a paste of baking soda and water.

Stacking Pottery:

• Plates: Our plates are designed to stack without fuss. Feel free to pile them proudly for display on your open shelving or in your cabinet. Over time, wear on the glaze may occur due to this practice - if you’d really like to play it safe you can place a soft cloth or liner between each piece to avoid accidental chips or scratches.

• Bowls: Stack your heart out, they can take it.

• Mugs & Cups: Proceed with caution. We make our mugs and cups with a slightly thicker rim that is designed to last, but chips can happen to the best of us.

Common Questions:

• Is it safe to place pottery in the freezer? Yes, but make sure the pottery is at room temperature before placing it in a hot oven or microwave. To prevent cracking, avoid drastic temperature shifts.

• Can I use my pottery on the stovetop? No, stoneware is not intended for direct heat sources like stovetops or grills. It’s oven, microwave, and dishwasher safe, but it should not be exposed to direct flame or heating elements.

• Are the unglazed areas water tight? Can I get food/tea/wine on them? Won’t they stain? The unglazed areas on our pottery are just as safe and durable as the glazed areas. While unglazed areas might appear unfinished, they are actually an intentional part of our design philosophy. It’s important to us that the base material - the clay, the earth - be a celebrated part of the final look and feel of each piece. Our firing process fully seals the clay, making it resistant to water absorption and stains. The pottery is non-porous and safe for food use - it is made with all natural, non-toxic materials. 

Final Thoughts on Dishwashing vs. Hand Washing

Our stoneware is designed to handle the rigors of daily life, including the dishwasher. The high heat, water pressure, and no-nonsense modern detergents will clean your pieces with ease - our pottery withstands these conditions beautifully. However, it is a pretty harsh environment. If you have the option, hand washing can be a gentler, more mindful approach.

The Dishwasher: Pros and Cons

• Pretty and tough: Our stoneware can be washed in the dishwasher regularly without concern. It’s built to handle the heat and pressure, keeping its form and functionality intact.
• A caveat: The combination of high temperatures, strong water pressure, and harsh detergents can gradually dull the glaze over time, scratch the surface, or cause chips. To preserve the richness of your pottery’s texture and color, consider using a gentler, eco-friendly detergent—these alternatives are less abrasive and kinder to both your pieces and the environment.

The Case for Hand Washing: A Slower Ritual

There can be something very meditative and calming about the act of hand washing. It’s an opportunity to slow down and enjoy the tactile nature of pottery, and connect to these beautiful materials that come straight from the earth and are carefully formed by human hands. It’s a chance to daydream, be grateful, reflect on the meal you just enjoyed, and quietly prepare for the next one. Our pottery is crafted with this interaction in mind. It’s all about taking something that’s basic and mundane, and deepening it.

• A sensory experience: not just a chore: Imagine all the ways your senses become engaged in the simple act of dishwashing - the sound and the feel of the warm water flowing from the faucet, the smell of fresh soap and silky suds, the sounds of stacking freshly scrubbed and sparkling wares. It can be a highly enjoyable ritual, if a slow and sensual approach is taken.
• Caring Through Ritual: In this small, everyday act of care, you connect more deeply with the pieces you use, giving them longevity while enjoying the beauty and textures they offer. You’re also caring for your future self by ensuring that the stage is set for the next nourishing meal.

A Balance:

The reality: sometimes the dishwasher is the best option. We can’t all romanticize every cleanup, and sometimes we just need to get the job done. That’s why making sure our pottery is durable enough for normal everyday use is so important to us. Whether you use the dishwasher for convenience or choose hand washing for a slower, more deliberate approach, both methods will keep your pottery in excellent condition. The choice is yours, and either way, our pieces are crafted to last.