For a new pot, the firing process could leave some residual clay, which comes out while wiping. This does not get into food though, because we have tested it cooking plain white rice and steaming milk – both these ingredients can quickly take from what is next to it or added to it, but in both cases, we did not find clay mixed with food. So, we can confirm that this is only while wiping after washing for the first 1-2 times.  It is however important to note that our clay is even purer than food grown today and is composed of essential nutrients so there is nothing to worry about.

The clay residue will stop coming when wiping after a few uses.

Here are some tips to extend the life of your MEC pots and pans:

1. Cook at low heat settings:
   MEC functions best at a low heat setting, converting the heat into an even far-infrared heat. Because of MEC’s heat retention, your pots & pans can cook at a low heat setting & meals will be ready in the same time or less, compared to high heat conventional cookware! Exposure to high heat settings can risk cracks & other damage to the cookware.
2. Instead of oil, use water before cooking:
   MEC becomes naturally non-stick with use; as a result, less oil is needed overall in the cooking process. As a comparison, oil is to metals as water is to clay. Always use half the amount of oil required in a conventional recipe, and you can add in the oil towards the end of the cooking process. This will result in healthier meals, because the oil will not be heated and cooking over a long time to break down into trans-fat!
3. Store MEC pots in well-ventilated areas:
   Miriam’s Earthen Cookware thrives in sunlight. Because of the earthen material, it is believed sunlight (or daylight, even) can enhance your cooking experience. You can read more about this phenomenon here: How MEC Increases Vitamin D Levels
   After using your pot, we recommend fully wiping the pot dry and storing it in a ventilated space. Keeping MEC in an enclosed cabinet may not work well; instead, we recommend storing it on a rack, on a windowsill, or on the stove itself. If the pot is not fully dry and stored in a poorly ventilated area, there is a risk of mold growing on the surface of the pot. In the case that mold does grow, it can be safely cleaned off, here’s how: Mold Cleaning Instructions
4. Avoid toxic ingredients:
   Clay naturally tries to remove any toxins when heated, as described here: MEC Toxin Removal
   This process occurs naturally, but the pot walls can end up saturated over time, which can affect its durability & longevity. To avoid this, pick ingredients that have the least amount of toxins possible, like non-processed, organic ingredients. Additionally, the purer the water, the better. Highly processed ingredients like chicken stock can be substituted for healthier ingredients (in this case, water can be used instead of stock, and you will still get a naturally created flavorful broth).

Choosing healthy ingredients benefits both the pots longevity and your own health, too!

While hand washing is recommended, you can wash them in a dishwasher with a cold or warm setting (not hot). We do not recommend using soap, because it is usually toxic. You can sprinkle some baking soda in the pots before putting them inside your dishwasher, with no need to add soap. The dishwasher setting should be set on “rinse”.