pottery care
We sell tableware that can be used on a daily basis, so there is no need for special maintenance.
However, there is a "filler" as a method to prevent stains and odors. It's not always necessary, but if you're worried about it getting dirty, or if you want to keep it as new as possible, we recommend that you seal it before using it.
Properties of pottery As pottery generally absorbs water, water, oil, and tea stains from cooking can enter the soil and cause stains and odors.
Difference between pottery and porcelain
Pottery is called earthenware and is porous, absorbent, and non-translucent (easily stains and smells).
Porcelain is called stoneware. It is vitreous, does not absorb water, and is translucent (does not easily stain or smell).
The glaze is vitreous and impermeable to water and oil, but it penetrates through tiny pinholes on the surface and cracks in the glaze called kannyu.
Here are some common ways to care for pottery.
start using
Pottery is highly absorbent. If you use new, dry pottery as is, food juices and soy sauce may seep into the pot and stain it. When using it for the first time, soak it in water for half a day (preferably a whole day) and use it after moistening the container sufficiently.
If you soak a container such as Kobiki in water, grayish spots may appear. This is a phenomenon that occurs when moisture penetrates into the soil, so there is no problem at all.
It's okay to wash it with water every time you use it.
About eyes
Even among pottery, pottery with coarse soil is hard to get dirty and smelly, and to prevent water leakage, it is necessary to use starchy substances such as rice or potato starch to block the cracks (* see the end) and block the rough soil. There is a way to stop.
Sealing is a method of impregnating porous and water-absorbing pottery with starch first, which makes it difficult for the ingredients of later dishes to soak in.
In a large pot, add the water used to wash rice, or dissolve potato starch or flour in water until the pot is completely submerged, and boil over low heat for about 15 to 20 minutes.
Turn off the heat and let it cool. When cool, wash off the slime and dry well. (If using wheat flour or potato starch, add 1-2 tablespoons to 1 liter of water and use it as a substitute for the water.)
Daily care
Soak it in water for a few minutes before using it. In the case of a highly water-absorbing container such as Kobiki, lightly washing with water is sufficient. When it contains water, the surface of the container becomes moist and the food looks better. It is recommended to cover fried foods with a sheet of paper.
After use, soak the sponge in neutral detergent and wash with water as soon as possible. After wiping with a cloth, do not put it away immediately, ideally let it dry overnight. Insufficient drying can cause mold and odors. Place the bottom of the container up and dry it without overlapping.
When storing items on top of each other, stack items of the same material and shape to prevent scratches. In addition, sandwiching kitchen paper or Japanese paper prevents scratches and absorbs moisture.
Please avoid using dishwashers and microwave ovens as it may cause damage.
At times like this...
mold has grown
First wash it and boil it to sterilize it. If it still does not come off, soak it in diluted tableware bleach, rinse thoroughly, and dry it in the sun. Put it in water with a squeezed lemon and bring it to a slow boil. If it still cannot be removed, soak it in a solution of baking soda in water (about 4 tablespoons of baking soda per 1 liter of water) for half a day to a day, then rinse it off carefully. If the smell is still not removed even after it is completely dry, repeat the same process 2-3 times.
I got a stain
Soak it in tableware bleach, rinse thoroughly, and dry it in the sun. For stains such as tea stains and coffee, put about a tablespoon of salt on a sponge, soak it in water, and polish it. In addition, boiling disinfection is also effective.
* About intrusion
Intrusion is the process of cooling after the pottery has been fired, and due to the difference in shrinkage between the body of the pottery and the glaze (the glaze shrinks more than the clay), the glaze on the surface becomes cracked. It refers to the phenomenon of hardening. Pigments such as tea stains and coffee enter this penetration and gradually add color. One of the joys of pottery is to watch it grow and change little by little over time.