Things to note when using a casserole for the first time

Clay pots are very common things in our lives, and they have many uses. Not only can they be used to stew meat, but also to make soups, porridge, etc. Although casseroles have many advantages, there are skills in using them, and you cannot use them directly after you buy them home. Especially after you buy a new casserole home, there are many things to pay attention to. So what are the precautions when using a casserole for the first time?

How should you handle and open a casserole before using it for the first time?

How to choose a casserole

Although the casserole looks smooth, it actually has pores. The finer the pores, the more durable it is. If you want to choose a durable casserole, you should pay attention to the following key factors:

1. The shape of the pot

The shape of the casserole should be round and even, and you should pay attention to the bottom and inside of the pot to avoid choosing a casserole with cracks.

2. Pot cover

The lid helps retain heat and allow ingredients to simmer and develop their aroma. When buying a casserole, you should put on the lid to see if it fits the body of the casserole. After putting on the lid, you can turn it to see if it fits tightly against the body of the casserole. If the lid and the body fit tightly, there will be a smooth friction feeling when you turn it.

3. The sound of the pot

When choosing, you can also judge the quality of the pot by the crispness of the sound. A pot with a crisp sound indicates good quality. If there are cracks or it is not dense enough, the sound will be discontinuous and slightly forked when knocked.

How to open a new casserole before using it for the first time

A new clay pot is prone to cracking if it is used directly without going through the uncooking step. Therefore, it is important to take care of the pot for a newly purchased pot or a clay pot that has not been used for a long time.

1. Soak the casserole in water for a day to allow the pot to absorb sufficient water, then add enough rice washing water.

2. Turn on the heat and cook for 10 minutes to allow the starch contained in the rice washing water to fill the narrow gaps in the casserole.

Tip: If there are tiny cracks in the casserole, as long as they are not very deep, you can fill them up by following the above steps and pouring rice washing water into it and boiling it again.

3. Pour out the rice washing water. After going through the above steps, the new casserole will not crack due to uneven heating when used.

4. Wipe the casserole dry with a rag.

5. Finally, turn the casserole upside down and place it on the cupboard to let it dry naturally.

Tips for cooking in a casserole

The casserole heats evenly, has high heat resistance and good heat preservation properties. It is suitable for long-term stewing. It can retain the original flavor of the ingredients after long cooking, making the finished product rich in flavor.

1. Cook porridge

Add washed rice into boiling water, bring to a boil over high heat, cover the pot, turn to low heat and continue simmering until cooked.

Tip: If you are using a clay pot for the first time, it is recommended to use it to cook porridge. The stickiness of the rice can make the clay pot more durable and easier to use.

2. Claypot Rice

a. Take 1 cup of rice, add 1.2-1.5 cups of water, and then put in the washed and cut into half sausages.

b. Cook over low heat until the water is slightly dried up, then pour in 1 teaspoon of oil from the side. Cover the pot and continue cooking over low heat for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and continue simmering for 15 minutes.

c. Take out the Chinese sausage and cut it into slices. Mix soy sauce and oyster sauce in a 1:1 ratio, pour it on the rice, and finally place the Chinese sausage slices on top.

3. Cook sweet soups such as red bean soup

Bring to boil over medium heat, then turn to low heat, cover the pot and simmer for 30 minutes. Add a little rock sugar and mix well before serving.

4. Hotpot

The casserole is durable, so the food will not become too mushy after cooking for a long time, nor will it burn due to uneven heating. It is most suitable to use casserole at home for time-consuming dishes such as stewing meat and chicken.

Energy-saving tips for casserole

When cooking in a casserole, it is usually boiled over high heat, then covered with a lid, lowered to low heat and continued to cook for 40 minutes to an hour. If you want to save gas, you can use the following methods.

1. After the casserole containing hot food has boiled, place it in a basket or box filled with towels and newspapers.

2. Cover the casserole with layers of newspaper and cloth and let it sit for 1 hour.

Precautions for using casserole

1. Do not burn with a large fire

Although the casserole is resistant to high temperatures, it should not be heated instantly when in use, nor should it be dried over high heat when empty to avoid the casserole from cracking due to thermal expansion and contraction.

2. The hot pot cannot be cooled down quickly

A freshly cooked casserole should not be placed immediately on a metal or cold surface, otherwise the sudden change in temperature will cause cracks in the casserole. The correct way is to place the hot casserole on a wooden board or an insulating mat.

3. Do not use a hard brush to scrub

Casserole pots made of clay have low hardness, so do not use a metal brush or hard sponge to scrub them, otherwise the surface will be scratched.

The casserole itself has capillaries and is highly absorbent, which easily absorbs food odors, so it must be thoroughly cleaned after each use. If the pot body turns black after cooking for a long time or boiling over high heat, you can soak the casserole in detergent or rice washing water for a while and then wash it clean, or add a little salt to the detergent to help remove grease.