A pure clay Dutch oven is a great piece of cookware and very useful. It consists of a pot with a lid, both made of unglazed primary clay (or pure clay). It is quite popular probably because it is versatile and can cook a variety of dishes. Let’s find out the pros and cons of this exceptionally healthy cookware that is becoming very popular:
Advantages:
1. 100% non-toxic raw material – Tested and certified
The raw material used is pure clay, a naturally available material that is tested for chemical contaminants and metals such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic, which are mostly found in conventional cookware, even in small amounts. But these cookware are metal- and chemical-free—a great place to start, especially since they’re marketed as healthy. No chemical products or enamels are used in the raw material or for the finishing of the product. It goes without saying that this natural clay, if nothing is added or removed from it, is inert or non-reactive.
2. Multifunctional and Versatile
Metal and ceramic Dutch ovens aren’t multi-functional, but luckily this one is. You can use it in the oven or on the stove. It is probably the most versatile cookware in the kitchen – a variety of dishes such as soups, stews, rice and other stews can be cooked with it. It is very convenient to have a single piece of cookware with so many uses.
3. Food-safe far infrared heat
While metals and ceramics radiate intense heat that destroys delicate nutrients like complex carbohydrates, phytonutrients, and water-soluble nutrients, a pure Dutch oven clay is quite the contrast. The unique far-infrared heat from its walls penetrates deep into each grain, cooking it thoroughly even at medium heat AND without destroying the nutrients. This not only keeps the nutrients intact but also saves energy. All your favorite recipes will cook in about the same time as any other cookware, but will be much more nutritious.
Also, all the heat is preserved inside the pot, thank goodness, since your fingers won’t get burned even if you accidentally touch the pot while cooking.
4. Great steam management
Most conventional cookware lets out steam during cooking. But this cookware handles steam very cleverly. Steam rises from the food and condenses on the inside surface of the lid (which is cooler than the rest of the pot) and falls back onto the food. What a great way to save all those essential water soluble nutrients!
5. Better heat retention
Pure clay pots are excellent at retaining heat, so food stays hot for a long time after cooking. There’s no need to reheat food every time you need to serve it. This is a huge advantage, especially in winter when food is likely to get cold rather quickly.
6. The food tastes great! Much Better than in Metals
With all these characteristics that pure clay cooking offers (absence of toxins, gentle heat, abundance of nutrients, semi-porous surface of the pot that allows oxygen to pass through it while cooking or all of these) food tastes much better. . when cooked in pure clay. People who are used to cooking in pure clay don’t even want to serve in any other material, that’s how they like the experience of cooking in pure clay!
Cons:
Fragile
There is only one: pure clay cookware can break if not handled carefully. But due to its versatile design, its break rate is very low.
If using your cookware with a little care isn’t a deal breaker for you, then these cookware is the best choice you have for truly healthy cooking. Its ability to cook healthy, non-toxic, nutrient-dense, and delicious food makes it an ideal stockpot for your kitchen.
