Caring for Stoneware

Stoneware is forgiving and hardwearing — most of what we stock is dishwasher safe. But a few small habits keep the glaze beautiful for years.

Washing

• Dishwasher safe for everything we sell.
• But handwashing keeps the glaze beautiful for longer — particularly on speckled or matt finishes. Dishwasher detergent is slightly abrasive and dulls fine glazes over years.
• If using a dishwasher: stack carefully (no piece touching another), use a gentler eco cycle where possible.

Thermal shock — the one thing to avoid

Never put a cold stoneware piece into a hot oven, or pour boiling water into a cold mug straight from the cupboard. Thermal shock can crack stoneware silently — the crack appears later under stress.

Two simple habits:

• Run warm water through a mug for 3 seconds before pouring boiling tea.
• Let oven-cooked stoneware cool on the hob, not on a cold worktop.

If a piece chips

Retire it from the table. Small chips collect grime over time and the chipped edge can cut fingers. Use it as a sourdough proving bowl, a kitchen planter, or paint storage.

Storage

Stack plates with a square of kitchen roll or felt between each one to prevent the bases scratching the glaze of the plate below.

Hand-thrown stoneware has slight variations in glaze and shape. These are not faults — they're the maker's mark.