The criterion for your desired clay pots for cooking:
- The type of clay: When purchasing a clay pot for cooking, you require to know that the purest form of clay is used. Primary clay is suitable as it does not contain any contaminants. You can understand this by inquiring and knowing whether it has been tested and certified.
- Toxicity: You do not need to be a scientist for this. You will require some baking soda, water and the clay pot. Mix baking soda in water and boil it. Turn the stove off after ten minutes of boiling. Cool it down and taste. If any metals are leaching, you will be able to taste it as if the water has rubber or paint.
- Cracks or Holes: Clay is a highly porous material and hence, it can easily crack. Before buying, be sure to check for any cracks so that you are investing in a whole clay pot.
- Unglazed: Buy unglazed clay pots for cooking as glazed ones are painted with toxic ceramic paint.
- Size and Shape: Choose a size and shape that is appropriate for what type of cooking you will be undertaking. Large pots can help cook soups or dals, while small pots can suffice for cooking vegetables.
- Thickness: Specifically, look for clay pots that are thick and heavy as this retains heat and ensure even cooking.
- Listen to the sound: Be sure to knock at the bottom of the clay pot for a good metallic sound. This indicates that the internal structure is strong and there are no cracks.
Our Best Picks for Clay Pots for cooking
| Our Picks | Product | Product Amazon Links |
| Professional feature wise best pick | Craftsman Indian Pre-seasoned Clay Pots: 3.5, 2, & 1 litre | Product Link |
| Budget Buy | Craftsman Indian Pre-seasoned Clay Pots: 1 litre | Product Link |
| Beginner friendly | Craftsman Indian Pre-seasoned Clay Pots: 1 litre |
Top 5 Corner Clay Pots for Cooking
1. Craftsman Indian Pre-seasoned Clay Pots: 3.5, 2, & 1 litre
The Craftsman clay pot for cooking is pre-seasoned, allowing you to cook in this cookware easily. It is made with terracotta clay ensuring you get the best quality clay for your cooking. The varied capacity available allows you to cook different foods as per your liking. For sturdy and good quality cookware, this craftsman clay pot is for you.
Specifications:
| Specifications | Details |
| Material | Terracotta Clay |
| Colour | Black |
| Shape | Round |
| Make | Deep burned for durability |
| Top | Thick brim |
| Base | Curved base for thermal expansion |
| Pre-seasoned | Yes, with cornstarch |
| Capacity | 1 x 3.5L, 1 x 2L, & 1 x 1L |
| Compatible Devices | Works with gas stove, microwave oven, & woodfire chulhas |
| Features | Natural and organic, made in Kerala, Heated slowly so food cooks evenly, great for cereal, pulses, meat & vegetables |
| Care Instructions | Wash in water after soaking |
| Total Weight | 4 kg for 3 clay pots in total |
What we like:
- Cooking: Food stays warm.
- Sustainable: No harmful chemicals leached into while cooking.
- Sturdy: Well-crafted and made of good-quality clay.
What we don’t like:
Cleaning: You require extra effort in separately cleaning the pots and storing them.
Overall Review: Overall, a good beginner clay pot for cooking in varied capacities allowing to experiment with your cooking.
Our Rating
- Sturdiness: 4/5
- Value for money: 3.9/5
- Flavour: 3.8/5
- Quality: 4/5
2. Craftsman Indian Pre-seasoned Clay Pots: 1 litre
You can go no wrong with this 1-litre pre-seasoned clay pot for cooking via the Craftsman brand. Easily cook up a dal, vegetable curry, or biryani for the two of you and get tasty cooking that enriches the flavours of the foods and masalas you have used. The black colour is due to the deep burning that ensures you receive a product that is immune to cracks.
Specifications:
| Specifications | Details |
| Material | Terracotta Clay |
| Colour | Black |
| Shape | Round |
| Make | Deep burned for durability |
| Top | Thick brim |
| Base | Curved base for thermal expansion |
| Pre-seasoned | Yes, with cornstarch |
| Capacity | 1L |
| Compatible Devices | Works with gas stove, microwave oven, & woodfire chulhas |
| Features | Natural and organic, made in Kerala, Heated slowly so food cooks evenly, great for cereal, pulses, meat & vegetables |
| Care Instructions | Wash in water after soaking |
| Dimension | 22 x 8 x 22 cms |
| Total Weight | Not mentioned |
What we like:
- Sturdiness: It is made of good quality and is lightweight, being able to sustain 500 grams of food cooking.
- Great for slow cooking: Makes great curries and biryanis when kept on simmering.
- Taste: As the pot neutralizes the acidity and there is no transfer of chemicals, food taste very well.
What we don’t like:
Cleaning: Needs to be washed and soaked without soap before use.
Overall Review: The 1L clay pot for cooking is handy for making curries and biryanis. Plus, you get tastier cooked food, lending to the enhancement of true flavours of the food without any chemicals or toxins.
Our Rating
- Sturdiness: 3.8/5
- Value for money: 3.6/5
- Flavour: 4/5
- Quality: 3.7/5
3. KSI Handmade Clay Pot: 2.5 litres
This terracotta clay make clay pot with a handle and lid is your great cooking partner. It's hand-made to perfection, with the size and shape being ideal addition to your cooking appliances. Crafted with traditional pottery techniques, you get an exceptional cooking experience with delectable food.
Specifications:
| Specifications | Details |
| Material | Terracotta Clay |
| Colour | Brown |
| Shape | Round for Kadhai & Flat for Tawa |
| Make | Traditional pottery techniques |
| Top | Wider mouth with handles |
| Base | Curved base for thermal expansion |
| Pre-seasoned | No |
| Capacity | 2.5L for Kadhai |
| Compatible Devices | Works with gas stove |
| Features | Natural and organic made, unglazed and zero use of paints retaining the red-brownish colour |
| Care Instructions | Hand wash only |
| Dimension | 26 x 13 x 25.4 cms for Kadhai, 9.5 x 24 cms for tawa |
| Total Weight | 1 kg |
What we like:
Tasty Food: No chemicals are imparted, so the food is tasty.
What we don’t like:
- The metal part of the handle: This comes off easily, especially during cleaning.
- Lid Quality: It easily gets cracks due to the heat dissipated while cooking.
Overall Review: The kadhai offers a comfortable size for cooking for a family of 2-3 persons. You may need to cook a couple of dishes before understanding how this kadhai works before using it daily.
Our Rating
- Sturdiness: 4/5
- Value for money: 4/5
- Flavour: 4/5
- Quality: 3.5/5
4. Swadeshi Blessings Clay Pot: 4 litres
If you are a seasoned clay pot cookware expert, this 4-litres non-seasoned cookware is the one you can consider. Pre-season this clay pot as per the detailed instructions so that your first cooking is a smooth experience. Be sure to also use the cleaning ash provided so that your clay pot is maintained well and retains all its properties to provide you with healthy and tasty food.
Specifications:
| Specifications | Details |
| Material | Clay |
| Colour | Black |
| Shape | Round |
| Make | Hand-made and rubbed with a special quality stone |
What we like:
- Taste: Food smells and tastes good.
- Usage and Storage Instructions: Detailed instructions help you to easily store, and use this clay pot for proper cooking.
- Packaging: Secure packaging ensures there are no cracks or damages in the clay pot received.
What we don’t like:
- Size: Small as compared to the 4L advertised.
- Cleaning: Best to use the Ash provided, which is less in quantity and finishes quickly.
Overall Review: This is a highly, strong clay pot, which comes in great packaging. The cooked food releases great, authentic smells and relishing tastes. It is built well and long-lasting.
Our Rating
- Sturdiness: 4/5
- Value for money: 4/5
- Flavour: 4/5
- Quality: 4/5
5. Swadeshi Blessings Clay Pot: 2 litres
Swadeshi Blessings also brings you a 2-litre clay pot for cooking in traditional red-ochre colour. This ensures there is no chemical added in the make of this clay pot, and you get a pure product that releases no toxins into your food. This clay pot is 100% natural, and you get slow and uniform cooking without any worries of overheating.
Specifications:
| Specifications | Details |
| Material | Clay |
| Colour | Red-Ochre |
| Shape | Round |
| Make | Hand-made and rubbed with special quality stone |
What we like:
Taste: Delicious tasting food with better than expected taste.
What we don’t like:
- Cooking time: Takes a longer time to cook a particular dish.
- Quality: Even with limited uses, there are cracks and leakages.
Overall Review: You can cook vegetables, dal, or biryani for at least four people with this clay pot for cooking, however, it will take a long time. You need to handle this cookware with care, as there can be issues with cracks or leakages with minimal use.
Our Rating
- Sturdiness: 3.5/5
- Value for money: 3.5/5
- Flavour: 3.8/5
- Quality: 3/5
6. MittiMagic Brown Clay Cooking Pot with Lid: 2.5 litres
If you are looking for a clay pot to cook village-style chicken for your family, this cooking pot from MittiMagic can undoubtedly be the best choice for you. Check out its specifications, pros, and cons below.
Specifications:
| Specifications | Details |
| Material | Clay |
| Colour | Brown |
| Shape | Not Mentioned |
| Make | Hand-made on Potter Wheel |
| Top | Not mentioned |
| Base | Not mentioned |
| Capacity | 2.5 L |
| Pre Seasoned | No Seasoning is Required |
| Compatible Devices | Gas Stove |
| Features | Uniform Cooking |
| Care Instructions | Flavourful Food |
| Dimensions | Not Mentioned |
| Total Weight | 3 Kg 420 g |
What we like
- Uniform Cooking: The clay material of the MittiMagic Brown Clay Cooking Pot with Lid ensures slow and even heat distribution, which results in gentle and consistent cooking.
- 100% Organic: This Pot is made from 100% organic clay, which is sourced naturally without the use of any harmful chemicals or additives. This organic composition makes it a safe and healthy option for cooking.
- 7-8 Hours Firing: This extensive firing period ensures that the pot becomes sturdy and durable. This is why the pot is capable of withstanding high temperatures without cracking or breaking.
What we don’t like
- Pricey Nature: Compared to most other clay pots available in the market for cooking, this one is significantly more expensive.
Overall review: The MittiMagic Brown Clay Cooking Pot with Lid offers unique benefits with its traditional clay construction. It provides excellent, even cooking and ensures ph balance. The pot is perfect for health-conscious individuals as it has a natural, chemical-free composition.
Our Rating
- Sturdiness: 3.5/5
- Value for money: 3.5/5
- Flavour: 4.1/5
- Quality: 3.2/5
7. EZAHK Handmade Clay Earthen Kadai Pot with Lid: 1.5 litres
Restaurant-style handi dishes are not a hassle anymore. With EZAHK Handmade Clay Earthen Kadai Pot, you can prepare such dishes not at home. Check out its specifications along with its pros and cons below.
Specifications:
| Specifications | Details |
| Material | Clay |
| Colour | Brown |
| Shape | Bowl Shaped Vessel |
| Make | Hand-made on Potter Wheel |
| Top | Wider Mouth |
| Base | Not mentioned |
| Capacity | 1.5 L |
| Pre Seasoned | Not Mentioned |
| Compatible Devices | Gas Stove, Open Fire |
| Features | Stylish, 100% Natural Clay, Non-Toxic, Eco-Friendly |
| Care Instructions | Hand Wash Only |
| Dimensions | 20 x 20 x 15 Centimeters |
| Total Weight | 1 Kg 500 g |
What we like
- Juicier and Tender Food: This pot allows excellent heat distribution and retention which helps retain its natural juices. This is why dishes made using this pot are so tender and succulent.
- Natural Clay Material: This pot is crafted using natural clay which makes it an ideal choice for health-conscious people.
- Nutritious & Healthy: Cooking in the EZAHK Earthen Kadai Pot helps preserve the nutritional content of the ingredients. It is highly known for enhancing the nutritional value of the food.
- Non-stick Property: This earthen kadai pot possesses a natural non-stick property. When seasoned properly, it develops a smooth surface that allows for easy food release without the need for excessive oil.
What we don’t like
- The hassle of cleaning: The cleaning process requires careful attention to prevent damaging the delicate clay surface. Harsh scrubbing or abrasive cleaning agents can cause the clay to weaken or crack over time.
Overall review: The EZAHK Handmade Clay Earthen Kadai Pot with Lid excels in juicier and tender food preparation. Crafted from natural clay, it ensures nutritious and healthy cooking while enhancing the flavors of dishes. Its natural non-stick property reduces the need for excessive oil.
Our Rating
- Sturdiness: 3.4/5
- Value for money: 3.5/5
- Flavour: 3.2/5
- Quality: 3.5/5
FAQs
Q 1: What is special about clay pots?
A 1: They are alkaline, meaning they maintain the pH balance in food and make it easy to digest. Plus, they also add minerals to the food, which is being cooked.
Q 2: How is a clay pot for cooking made stronger?
A 2: Clay pots are made stronger by baking them in a fire.
Q 3: Do clay pots break easily?
A 3: As they are porous, temperature changes can cause the clay to crack or even chip and break.
Q 4: How safe are clay pots for cooking?
A 4: There are no toxic materials or chemicals used for making clay pots, it's eco-friendly and can be used for cooking all types of foods.
Q 5: How to sanitize a clay pot?
A 5: Before using a clay pot, soak the pot in water for at least fifteen minutes. For deep cleaning, soak overnight and mix with baking soda before using a soft bristle brush for cleaning.