Does Stoneware Need to Be Treated Before Use?

Seasoning

• Stoneware seasons over time, like a cast iron Dutch oven or other cast iron cooking utensil such as a skillet. This means food does not stick to the stoneware, and no oil or cooking spray is required. When you first use a piece of stoneware, the surface feels rough and is lightly colored. As you use the stoneware and it becomes seasoned, it will become smooth and slick and get darker, eventually turning black.

Oiling

• Treat your stoneware before using it for the first time. Vegetable oil helps season stoneware and develop non-stick properties. Brush the oil on the stoneware, spreading it around evenly on the stoneware's surface. Do not use cooking sprays, as they will make the stoneware sticky, according to the Pampered Chef. Oil the stoneware the first several times you use it, until it starts to darken and feel smoother.

Cooking

• If you cook the right kinds of food you don't need to treat your new stoneware before using it. Foods with a high fat content will treat and help season the stoneware. If you are unsure if the food you are about to cook in your new stoneware has enough fat content, apply oil beforehand to be on the safe side. Later, cooking foods with no fat content requires no oil.

Cleaning

• Once you have treated the stoneware and it becomes seasoned, you must take proper care to avoid removing the seasoning. Do not use soap when cleaning food off your stoneware. Since soap is designed to bond to oil, it will remove the seasoning. Use hot water to wash off your stoneware, as well as a nylon scrubbing utensil.