Ceramics Care Guide

Items are handmade from start to finish, and a significant amount of time is taken at each stage in production to ensure you receive a quality item. If you are careful with your handmade ceramics, they will last for a long time.

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Thermal Shock

Like glass, ceramics are susceptible to thermal shock if they are heated up or cooled too quickly. This means that items could develop a hairline crack or even break when put under a sudden change of temperature, usually at a rate of +10°C per minute.
 

Advice about using or caring for pottery can be mixed depending on where you have purchased it. Some incredibly experienced potters who have been in the industry for decades advise against using boiling liquids in/on items due to the possibility of thermal shock, whereas other potters will say it is completely fine to use boiling water to make your cups of tea, and will not cause any issues. Without going into too much detail about the science of ceramics, generally, it comes down to glaze used and the glaze fit on the item, and the type of clay (there are so many types of clay!).

Knowing my glaze and clay combos well, I have absolutely no issue with you using boiling water to make your hot drinks - it’s what they’re made for!

I've been making ceramics for over 10 years and haven't yet had a breakage reported due to thermal shock, but that doesn't mean that it won't happen in future. I once owned a glass Pyrex measuring jug which I used for several years without issue and then one day whilst measuring boiling water, it shattered. Glass and ceramics are vulnerable materials.
 

For wax melt / oil burners, burn for a maximum of 3 hours. Do not burn without any wax or liquid in the dish. 
 

Washing Items

Handwashing is best. Items can be washed in a dishwasher but please read this section carefully first, and do so at your own risk.

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As potters, we don't recommend washing handmade ceramics in a dishwasher to prevent breakages, especially where items knock against each other due to water pressure. I own lots of handmade ceramics, made by myself or by other potters. I wash items in the dishwasher and have, so far, only had a couple of losses due to washing. Even well-made mugs can break. Handles are the most vulnerable part of a mug and can snap off if knocked against a hard surface or put under excessive strain, such as water pressure rattling two items together in a dishwasher cycle. Avoid dishwashing if you're concerned about any of this and hand-wash only.
 

Usual care should be applied when washing items. If handwashing, try not to knock items against other things or the side of the sink. If you do decide to use the dishwasher, take extra care when loading or unloading items as not to knock it against the side or other items.

I have also found that certain dishwasher products can dull the surface of certain glazes ever so slightly - presumably the material in some cleaners is a bit too abrasive.
If an item stains on the surface, like mugs used for coffee and tea, I recommend using a thin layer of bicarbonate of soda or baking powder and cover all marks (it will stick to the sides of mugs if you wet them first). Leave for a few minutes and then wipe with a damp cloth or sponge.

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Microwave and Oven Use

There are metallic elements in clays and some glazes, and this could damage your microwave. Even if you don't care for your kitchen appliances much, to come back to thermal shock, you're heating up an item incredibly quickly. If it breaks, this will be why. 

Oven use is absolutely fine. Pre-heat your dinnerware before your soiree, or even bake or cook in them. Ovens heat up slowly causing minimal impact on ceramic items.

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Other Bits

Some more 'glassy' glazes may be susceptible to an initial pinging noise for the first few uses or washes. This is nothing to worry about and it should eventually stop. It is caused by the change of temperature, much like thermal shock but on a much, much smaller scale. 

I have some items bought years ago which still make the odd ping noise on occasion even now. Nothing to worry about.

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Customer Feedback

Pottery takes years of experience, and I am still learning even after many years of producing items. I would like to ensure customers are happy with items that they have purchased from me.  If you have had any issues with your pieces, or feedback on how you find it after using it for a period of time, please let me know as soon as possible - good or bad. Your feedback will help me in my pottery journey.
 

If you have any other questions about caring for your items, please do get in touch with me and I'll be happy to assist.

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