Last night was my first time using my Donabe Some of the broth spilled over when filling it up. Is there any way for me to get the stain to lift and come out? I understand the bottom of the Donabe will eventually become "imperfect" over time but if I could at least slow that process down even just a little bit especially with stains, I'll try. Any cleaning tips?
Additional info:
- I seasoned my donabe the day before and it dried completely before use.
- First photo was taken after our meal once cooled and cleaned with warm water and light soap.
- Enjoy the rest of the photos, too hungry to take a photo of it simmering unfortunately lol.
Broth recipe:
- 3 cups water
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 tbsp sake
- 3 tbsp mirin
- 2 tsp dashi powder
Once boiled it's ready to put into donabe!
TIA!
by svmtheunicorn
5 Comments
I do not have an answer for you, but you might also want to try asking in a ceramics or pottery subreddit. People who make stuff often know the technical ins and outs of maintaining very well
Sorry no help here since I just leave the stains, but just wanted to say that’s a beautiful donabe!
There’s really no reasonable way to remove stains like this from the unglazed bottom of a donabe. The kind of clay used in this one is extremely porous and with the stain having carbonized inside the pores, no amount of soaking or scrubbing will remove it.
As you use it on the stove though the flames will gradually lighten it up as the carbon burns off and the remaining residue turns to ash.
I guess the nuclear option would be to refire it in a kiln to burn off and vaporize the stain entirely.
You don’t. The marks are part of the charm, get used to and appreciate them. Getting water, detergent, etc. into the porous clay is going to accelerate the staining at best and possibly break the donabe at worst.
Wabi sabi