Clay pot cooking is currently trending on social media with many users are gushing over everything its many advantages. Here are seven tips you should know about cooking in an unglazed, all-natural clay pot.

1. Perfect for healthy eating

Clay pots can help preserve the nutritional value of food. They’re 100 percent free from contaminants, which make them non-toxic and safe for cooking.

2. Has been there since ancient times

Clay pots have been used for cooking for thousands of years until about two centuries ago when people switched to metals. Little was known back then about the consequence of ditching clay pots for metals.

3. Cooks faster when used

If you want to spend less time in the kitchen, clay pots can help! Because the vessel is made of clay, it can retain heat than metal pots and pans.

4. No need to soak each time

Unlike metal cookware, clay pots don’t need to be soaked before use even when they are high fired. This makes them a more convenient option for cooking.

5. Can be used on different sources

Despite its material, clay pots can be used on different heat sources including electric, gas, induction, outdoor grill and oven.

6. Needs to be dried properly

Clay pots need to be dried properly before storing to prevent the outbreak of mildew. It should be wiped with a dry piece of cloth and stored in a ventilated area.

7. Lighter than cast iron

Many assume that clay pots are heavy, but that notion is false. A 6 qtr. Earthen cookware weighs just 5 lbs. while a cast iron of the same capacity weights about 15 lbs.

Clay pots are suitable for almost all types of cooking as you can make stew, bake bread, braise meat, cook a casserole and deep fry whatever you want in it.