Pure Clay Dutch Oven – Pros and Cons

A pure clay dutch oven is a great piece of cookware and a very useful one. It consists of a pot with a lid, both made of primary unglazed 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 kitchen gadget that is becoming very popular:

Advantage:

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 trace amounts. But these cookware are free of metals and chemicals—a great place to start, especially since they’re marketed as healthy. No chemicals or glazes 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 multifunctional, 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. 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 a contrast. The unique far-infrared heat from its walls penetrates deep into each bean, cooking it thoroughly even at medium heat AND without destroying the nutrients. This not only keeps the nutrients intact but also saves energy. All of your favorite recipes will cook in about the same amount of time as any other cookware, but they will be much more nutritious.

Also, all the heat is conserved inside the pot, thank goodness, as your fingers won’t get burned even if you accidentally touch the pot while cooking.

4. Great vapor management

Most conventional cookware allows steam to escape during cooking. But this cookware handles steam very smartly. Steam rises from the food and condenses on the inner 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 warm long after cooking. There is no need to reheat the food every time you have to serve it. This is a huge advantage, especially in winter when food is likely to get cold quite quickly.

6. Food tastes great! Much better than metal

With all of these features that pure clay cooking has to offer (no toxins, gentle heat, abundance of nutrients, semi-porous surface of the pot that allows oxygen to pass through while cooking, or all of these) food tastes so much better. . when cooked in pure clay. People who are used to cooking in pure clay do not even want to serve in any other material, this is how they like the experience of cooking in pure clay!

Cons:

Fragile

There’s 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 is not a deal breaker for you, then these cookware are the best option you have for truly healthy cooking. Its ability to cook healthy, non-toxic, nutrient-rich and delicious foods makes it an ideal pot for your kitchen.