Terra Cotta / clay pots question (lentil, baking, cooking, pot)

[snowmountains]

I bought a terra cotta bean pot. I thought to use it on stove top to cook soup, but almost all the descriptions about terra cotta or clay pots only mention using them in the oven. Can I still use it on the gas stove on low heat? Here is the one I bought.

Another question: is "Terra Cotta" or "Clay" cookware the same as "Casserole" cookware?

[Ohiogirl81]

What do the instructions that came with the pot tell you to do? Is the pot glazed or unglazed? Do you need a diffuser?

Not all earthenware cookware is created equal. I'd hate to see you break your pot and/or clean up a mess on the stovetop.

[Elke Mariotti]

The Roemertopf is NOT meant to be used on your stove top - in your oven only!

Some clay pots/pans can also be used in the microwave, but this one does not look like one of those.

[snowmountains]

Thanks. (There's no instruction whatsoever that came with it. It's glazed at the lower half)

[OpenD]

Originally Posted by ssww

I bought a terra cotta bean pot. I thought to use it on stove top to cook soup, but almost all the descriptions about terra cotta or clay pots only mention using them in the oven. Can I still use it on the gas stove on low heat? Here is the one I bought.

The description at that link says: "Designed for slow-cooking in the oven. Microwave and dishwasher safe as well."

No mention of stove-top use means it's not safe for stove-top use, sorry. Most earthenware is not.

La Chamba black pottery from Chile can be used directly on a gas stove, but needs a heat diffuser on an electric stove.

Some French pottery can be used on the stove-top with a diffuser. Check Emil Henry if interested.

[snowmountains]

Thanks for the information.

[Andriea]

Originally Posted by ssww

I bought a terra cotta bean pot. I thought to use it on stove top to cook soup, but almost all the descriptions about terra cotta or clay pots only mention using them in the oven. Can I still use it on the gas stove on low heat? Here is the one I bought.

Another question: is "Terra Cotta" or "Clay" cookware the same as "Casserole" cookware?

The ones that I am using can be used on any heat source. I regularly use it for baking, slow & regular cooking, on the stove top and some times even as crock inserts. They do a great job in my kitchen. I am so satisfied with it that I went ahead and bought a baby food maker for my 6 month old and she loves the taste of the fresh vegetable & lentil puree i make that i cook in these pots. They are un-glazed, metal, chemical & toxins free--real healthy!! Here is the link for more info.

[Cliffie]

"Casserole" would definitely apply to the piece of cookware you bought, but a lot of casserole dishes are made of metal, Pyrex or glazed ceramic rather than your partly-glazed terracotta. The better ones have lids and carry handles. Like yours they cannot be used on the stovetop, but many are microwave-safe.