Pottery Details and Care

Details about stoneware created at Albright Pottery Studio

Dinnerware:

All stoneware we make is fired to approximately 2300 degrees F. It is safe to use in a microwave or warming oven and can be cleaned in a dishwasher. That said, handwashing is less abrasive. For long lasting beauty of your pottery, hand wash only. If you must put pottery in the dishwasher, DO NOT use the heat dry cycle. You should know that eventually the glaze will get marred. Dishwasher soaps use abrasives to clean the food off your dishes, so over time the glazes begun to dull and craze (minute glaze cracks). It is very important to not subject the ware to sudden changes of temperature, such as removing it from a refrigerator and using in a microwave or oven. Stoneware should not be used on a stovetop or grill. Do use a hand mitt if the ware has been in an oven or in a microwave for a few minutes.

When handling, remember that bumping ware against hard objects can break or chip your ware. Be careful to place the ware securely in a dishwasher to avoid bumping into other ware. Also be aware that if small amounts of food are microwaved on larger ware that the ware is being heated unevenly and can cause the ware to break.

All of our stoneware pottery glazes are food safe and lead free.

Outdoor Pottery:

Stoneware is very durable and can survive easily in outdoor non-freezing temperatures. Remember that bird houses, feeders, waterers and similar ware can capture water and if they freeze, subject the walls of the ware to expanding ice which can break the ware. We suggest cleaning the ware and storing it inside during freezing temperatures. All Redware must be brought inside during freezing weather because it absorbs moisture readily.

Pottery birdhouses should be used in a shaded area such as under a tree. Sunlight can heat the birdhouse well beyond the comfort and well-being of the birds and their young. Bird houses can be hung from a tree limb or shepherds hook. Placement of the house depends on the type of bird you want to attract.

All bird ware: We suggest that you replace the hanging cord(s) every year with a durable rawhide or nylon cord for any hanging ware. Hand-built birds and other added decoration which extend from the ware are more fragile than the main pottery body, so be careful when handling and storing.