Clay Pot Care Guide

Clay Pot Care Guide

A little care before first use, and after every cook, keeps a natural clay pot performing well for years.

Before First Use

• Remove all packaging and labels from the clay pot and lid.
• Hand-wash with warm water — no soap or detergent needed for the first wash.
• Dry the pot thoroughly before its first cook.

After Every Use

Do	Don't
Hand-wash with warm water and a soft sponge	Use steel wool or abrasive scrubs
Let the pot cool before washing	Run cold water over a hot pot
Dry fully before storing	Store while still damp
Add liquids at room temperature	Add cold liquid straight from the fridge to a hot pot
Wipe the electric base with a dry or damp cloth	Submerge the electric base in water

Why Thermal Shock Matters

Clay is a poor conductor of heat compared to metal, so a sudden temperature change — hot pot meeting cold liquid, or the reverse — creates stress that can crack it. This is the single most common cause of damage to clay cookware, and it's also the reason AAHARA's insulated heating chamber and cyclic heating control were engineered to heat the pot gradually rather than all at once.

Storage

Store the clay pot and lid somewhere dry, fully cooled and dried after washing. A hairline crack or chip is a sign to stop using that pot and avoid further thermal stress on it — see our FAQ for what to do if that happens.

Everyday Cooking Tips

• Use Slow Mode for dals and curries that benefit from long, gentle cooking.
• Use High Mode when you need a shorter cooking time.
• Avoid overfilling; leave room for contents to simmer.

See the full step-by-step usage guide for AAHARA.