Curing

Also called seasoning, this is imperative if you intend to use your pot for cooking or serving. Until cured, a vessel is permeable to water and is likely to crack when used.

Bear or elk tallow as well as various other fats can be used to coat and seal your vessel. Rough instructions for seasoning are below:

Bring your pot up to about 300 degrees in an oven. Once at temperature, remove your pot from the oven and coat inside and out with oil. Place back in oven for ten minutes. repeat process until pot is completely saturated. Avoid over saturation and wipe any excess off with rag. Let cool in oven.

Note: I have also heard that oatmeal is cooked in pottery to provide additional support.

Caring

It is important to remember that your micaceous cookware is a low-fire clay body which in not fully vitrified. This means that your pot will still absorb water and is susceptible to cracking. Additionally, extreme thermal shocks may cause cracks in your pot. To avoid any potential issues, users should follow these simple care guidelines:

• Avoid letting water sit for long periods of time in your pot unless heat is constantly applied.

• Avoid extreme changes in temperature. Common gas ranges are okay but electric stoves may apply heat too quickly and too focused.

• Avoid storing food in your pot after cooking for long periods of time.

• When cleaning your pot use light soap or avoid soap altogether to avoid destroying the season on your piece. (The season is similar to the care of a cast iron piece)

• Use soft sponges and avoid metal scrubbers.