Sometimes, the motivation we need to make our favorite meals may come from nowhere but our kitchen vessels’ beauty. That is why it is essential to choose the right ones.
Since everlasting, terracotta pots have been a beauty to behold. And this explains why many of us have them lurking in our homes. For some, you want to put them to excellent use but are not sure about the outcome.
Well, one thing on your mind will be your oven. So, have you been asking if your terracotta pots can go into your oven? We have got you covered.
Well, in this post, we take you right to your kitchen and tell you everything you need to know about terracotta pots in the kitchen.
Are Terracotta Pots Oven Safe?
There is so much sensitization ongoing about safety when cooking or baking. One question that keeps coming up is whether terracotta pots are oven safe. Let’s answer it.
Terracotta pots are oven SAFE. Right from the start, terracotta pots are made with fired earth, to withstand the heat in your oven without breaking apart. As such, you should not have any problem placing it in the oven.
Besides, terracotta pots are great for baking. Traditionally, bread is baked in terracotta ovens; even pizza may be baked in a terracotta oven.
This is because they can distribute an equal amount of heat to the content of your pots. In turn, this helps it to turn out just the way it should. So, once again, go on and use your terracotta pots in your oven.
Again, unglazed terracotta pots do not contain lead. Though some low-quality terracotta lots may contain lead and calcium, they are immeasurably small to make terracotta pots unsafe for the oven. This makes terracotta pots good to go.
Again, unglazed terracotta pots do not contain lead. Though some low-quality terracotta lots may contain lead and calcium, they are immeasurably small to make terracotta pots unsafe for the oven.
So, yes, you can get them into your oven without any fear.
Can Terracotta Pots Go in the Dishwasher?
There you are trying to save yourself the stress of washing, thinking if terracotta pots can go in the dishwashers. Well, the answer is yes.
However, before putting your terracotta pots in the dishwasher, ensure you remove the soil. Also, try to remove the dirt on them with a scrubbing brush.
After this, you may rinse them before putting them in the dishwasher. The dishwasher gives it extra cleaning.
Putting terracotta pots in the dishwasher is SAFE. However, you may have to dry them or allow them air for some hours. This is because the clay is still porous, and the drying cycle of the dishwasher may not completely dry them.
Can Terracotta Pots Go in the Aquarium?
YES, terracotta pots can go into the aquarium, and they are great for that purpose. However, you have to stick by some safety measures before putting your pots in the aquarium.
Make sure you are using a new terracotta pot. This is because old ones may contain fertilizers or other plant chemicals previously used to grow plants. So, avoid old terracotta pots if you don’t want to harm your fish.
Go for ordinary terracotta pots. Avoid any dyed, painted, or glazed terracotta pots. Paints, dyes, or glaze often contain chemicals that could leach and harm your fish.
Try to remove the bottom of the terracotta base. Your fish may want to swim through and get stuck. This can kill the fish if you do not notice and rescue it early. Alternatively, you can block the hole with a safe aquarium glue.
Before putting your terracotta pot in the aquarium, rinse it with hot water. This will remove any clay dust that may still be lurking in the corner. However, be careful not to use a detergent or bleach when cleaning. This can harm your fish.
Can You Recycle Terracotta Pots?
Recycling terracotta pots have a lot of questions hanging over it. The reason might be because of the firing process terracotta pots pass through before being put to use.
Unlike baked pottery, terracotta pots are fired up to a 1700 degree before they are ready. This process eliminates the air and water in it and changes the crystal to make it very hard.
For glasses terracotta pots, the firing temperature can go up to 2100 degrees. When all these are done, it becomes almost impossible for the pots to break down. Hence, recycling, in the way we know it, might be a bit more complicated.
However, you can still put your terracotta pots into different uses even after they fall apart. One of the uses is that you can put them in the aquarium for your fish to hide.
What Are Some Common Uses of Terracotta Pots?
Being creative with our terracotta pots is one thing that gives many of us goosebumps. Creativity doesn’t come easy, though, especially if there is no trigger about new things.
We recognize that this can be an issue sometimes. Well, you do not have to bother about it alone anymore. Here, we give you a list of things you can do with your terracotta pots:
1. Use as A Bottle Holder
If you have many wines for your visitors, you might be worried about where to put them. Well, your terracotta pots are just great for that.
They make your bottles look orderly and comfortable. For a great look, you can add some artificial grapes.
2. Make A Lighthouse
Terracotta pots have holes at their base. This is where the magic comes in. If you turn it upside down, you can make a lighthouse with a terracotta pot.
You would need a lamp holder, lightbulb, and a glass bulb cover to achieve this. If you know one or two things about how electricity works, then this should not be a problem for you.
Depending on how high you want your lighthouse to be, you can stack different heights.
For great aesthetic, do not forget to give it your favorite color.
3. Hold Kitchen Utensils
Instead of spending money to buy a new utensils holder, why not convert your terracotta pots into a utensil holder. It can hold pretty much anything from spoons to knives.
Since there is a hole at the base, you do not have to worry about water staying up in the pot.
4. Hold Bathroom Items
From your toothbrush to your hand towel down to your soap, the terracotta pot can hold them. If you get more creative and paint them, you would give your bathroom an additional beauty.
You can also put guests’ bathroom items in it. They will be a welcoming beauty to your guests.
5. Use It for Magazines
If your office’s front desk always has a calm atmosphere, you can add some beauty to it with a terracotta pot. You can put some magazines in it and place it at the center or just beside a small chair.
Do not forget to give the terracotta pot a lovely color. This way, it can draw attention to the magazine in it.
6. Use It as a Wind Chime
You can string some small terra cotta pots together. And you would have to yourself a lovely wind chime. Add brilliant colors to blow you away.
7. Decoration
Naturally, terracotta pots are a beauty to behold. You don’t want to miss having them in your sitting room with the accurate crafts and silkiness they bring.
Just repaint them, place them in visible places, and you are good to go. Your place just got a new look!
Are Terracotta Pots Bad for the Environment?
One of the boxes we check these days is whether our vessels are bad the environment. It is excellent that we are all concerned about preserving the planet.
With terracotta pots, you do not have to worry about whether it is safe for the environment, and here is why we said that.
Terracotta pots are made from earthenware clay soil. And are incredibly safe for use. They are molded and are fired to give them a very firm body and shape.
Besides, terracotta pots do not have toxic chemicals like PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) and PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid) that are bad for the environment. They also do not contain as much carbon footprint as your regular pot. They can hardly pollute the environment too.
So, we bet you have been looking for ways to make your contribution to the environment. Well, here you go. Terracotta pots might be everything you need to save the environment.
Why You Should Use Terracotta Pots?
Yes, we have answered many of your questions about using terracotta pots in the kitchen. You may think that is all, well, no. There are many more benefits when it comes to terracotta pots.
It would be best if you weren’t left out, so we have given you a list of why you need to use terracotta pots. Here we go!
1. Aesthetic
Wow! If you don’t already know about the beauty that terracotta pots add to your surroundings, you have missed a lot.
They are designed with accuracy to make you want to have more. Terracotta pots have a way of enhancing beauty, mostly when you paint them. You can place them in strategic places in your kitchen or anywhere else.
2. Affordability
You don’t have to break the bank before you can buy a terracotta pot. They are way cheaper than your average cooking or baking pots. Whatever your budget is, you can always have a terracotta pot for yourself.
They come in varying sizes and beauty to suit your budget and needs.
3. Retains Food Nutrients
Terracotta pots are known for retaining all or most of the nutrients in your food. Due to the gentle heat circulation in the pot, you don’t lose all your nutrients halfway into cooking or baking.
Because clay is alkaline, it can reduce or neutralize the acidity in your food. Plus, you don’t have to use a lot of salt and oil when cooking with terracotta pots. This gives you great nutrients for your foods.
4. Various Applications
If you are looking for versatility, then terracotta pots are the right choice for you. They are multi-purpose pots that can function in the oven, can be used for cooling, boiling, and frying.
Whatever may be your preference, terracotta pots fit them all.
5. Healthy, Safe, and Delicious Foods
Hardly would any other pot beat terracotta to the art of delivering tasty and healthy foods.
They come from natural sources and don’t contain lead, so they are safe. They also can balance the PH of your foods (unglazed terracotta pots are great for this purpose).
Because of their thickness and pores, they help circulate heat evenly during cooking or baking. This makes your food cook in their natural nutrients without losing their juices.
Terracotta lots can also help you retain heat in your food. They are great for keeping food warm for a longer time, provided you keep the lid on the pot.
Conclusion
Now you really should not wait anymore. We have settled all your doubts about terracotta pots. By now, you should be eager to put them to use in the oven.
And, always remember that they are highly degradable, so you don’t have to think about harming the environment.