First Steps

• If you have an unglazed clay pot, soak it in cold water for about 15 minutes each time before you use it. With a glazed pot, you only need to soak the unglazed lid, because the glazed vessel won't absorb water. The first few times you use your clay pot, choose a dish -- such as roast chicken or pot roast -- without strong flavors or spices that might be absorbed by the pot. After the first few uses, the pot will develop a patina that is nearly non-stick and will not absorb flavors.

Adapt Recipes

• Adapt your favorite recipes for roasts, casseroles and desserts for cooking in a clay pot by increasing oven temperatures by 100 degrees Fahrenheit and reducing cooking time by ½ to 1 hour. A meat thermometer will help you know when meats are fully cooked, and over time you will learn which dishes need more or less cooking time. If you want a crisp topping on a casserole or to brown a roast, remove the lid of the cooker about 15 minutes before cooking is finished.

When Adding Liquids

• Add dry ingredients, such as pasta, rice or lentils, to the bottom of the clay pot when making casseroles. Cover them with liquid, and place the remaining ingredients on top. Put the clay pot on the bottom or next-to-bottom rack in your oven to equalize the temperature above and below the pot.

Microwave-Safe

• Lidded clay pots can also be used in the microwave. One rule of thumb for microwave cooking with a clay pot is to use 15 minutes on low power and 5 minutes on high for each pound of meat you are cooking. Lots of vegetables in a dish may increase cooking times. Be aware that clay pots will heat up in the microwave, because the water in the presoaked clay heats up during cooking. Use oven mitts when removing the pot from the microwave.

Avoid Extremes

• Extreme temperature changes may cause an unglazed clay pot to break, so always start the pot in a cold oven so the pot heats slowly and evenly. Don’t add cold liquids to a hot dish in a clay pot, and avoid putting a hot pot on a cold surface, such as marble -- use a folded kitchen towel, wooden cutting board or hot plate instead. Finally, allow a clay pot to cool completely before soaking it with cold water to clean.