Some help requested… | Sybaritica

The pot you see pictured above is a traditional Chinese Claypot, also sometimes known as a ‘sand-pot’. It was a gift from my wife but I have been a little hesitant to use it thus far as I understand that certain preparatory steps are necessary before cooking with it. The instructions that came with this particular pot were so woefully inadequate as to be worse than useless and the information I have found on the Internet has been a bit contradictory and confusing. There is a suggestion that the pot be soaked for an extended period in cold-water, briefly in ‘rice-cooking’ water, and there is also all sorts of information regarding cooking in the oven versus cooking on the stove-top.

If any of my readers are experienced with these vessels, I would be most glad of any information or advice you may see fit to dispense. Particularly, I would be happy to learn: the basic preparation procedure; how and when this needs to be done; and, how to use the pot on direct heat. If it helps at all, this particular pot is glazed on all surfaces except the very bottom.

Thanks in advance…

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