About Our Clay Cooking Pots

Cooking From the Heart

Utility & Beauty

Cook on Clay flameware cooking pots are made with ”flameproof” clay designed to withstand extreme temperatures. Our pots can go directly from the refrigerator to a hot oven and back again without cracking! They are perfect for the grill, and some of our pots are designed specifically for use on the stovetop. All of our pots are built for durability and performance and intended for everyday use.

At Cook on Clay we design our handmade flameproof cookware for slow food aficionados, lovers of fine food, appreciators of quality kitchen tools, home cooks, chefs, and everyone who enjoys the pleasures of cooking and dining.

We believe that cooking and serving in handmade pottery brings connection and beauty to the simple act of sharing a meal with family and friends.

Green & Healthy

Cook on Clay is committed to creating pottery that is beneficial to both the environment and the people who use it. Our patented flameware pottery is 100% environmentally safe and non-toxic.

Cook on Clay flameware pots are healthy for you and the earth.

• Handmade in America by skilled artisans who work on each piece from start to finish
• Inspired by the spirit of slow food and local food -- made by people who love food for people who love food
• Completely food and human safe
• Made to last for generations
• Flameware pottery holds heat, keeping food warm during mealtime
• Has a durable, non-porous surface that resists scratches
• Does not pit or leach metals or other chemicals into food or the environment
• Fired to 2400 degrees F. in a clean-burning propane-fueled kiln
• Packaged in 100% recyclable and re-useable materials

Cook on Clay flameware pots are microwave and dishwasher-safe and extremely easy to clean. Baked-on foods can be removed by simple scrubbing with soap and water — you will be amazed by how easily foods release from our pots’ surfaces. Don’t be afraid to run your Cook on Clay pots through the dishwasher — it is a great way to remove residual oils.

The surfaces of Cook on Clay pots will change through use and over time. This is a natural part of the maturation process, creating a rich patina and history of use.

History of Modern Flameware

Cook on Clay ceramic pottery is made with a high-fire “flameproof” clay body formulated to withstand thermal shock when heated. Other types of clay can be used in the oven, but pots made from flameproof clay can withstand high heat and extreme temperature changes.

During the 1950’s and early 1960’s pottery artists Karen Karnes, Mikhail Zakin, and Mary Caroline Richards, along with others including Bill Sax and Ron Probst, were interested in developing high-fire flameware clay bodies. In addition to traditional clay ingredients, spodumene, petalite or pyrophillite (materials also used for tiles on the first space shuttles) was added to ensure the clay would withstand extreme temperature changes without expansion or cracking. Their experiments succeeded and high-fire flameware was born.

In addition to being one of the original creators of flameware clay, Karen Karnes is respected as one of the matriarchs of the contemporary American studio pottery movement. Karen and her partner, Ann Stannard are dear friends and mentors of Cook on Clay co-founders Robbie Lobell and Maryon Attwood. During a six-week residency in Karen Karnes’ studio in 2001, Robbie was invited to work first-hand with Karnes’ high-fire ceramic flameware. The following summer, Ann Stannard shared her platter forming techniques with Maryon.

Over the next several years, Robbie explored and developed new ideas for flameware cooking pots focusing on utility and a sculptural dynamic to make beautifully designed and constructed cookware. The current Cook on Clay flameware product line is the result of over a decade of development and evolution, and today’s products offer superior performance with a perfect blend of structural integrity, elegance, and beauty.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cook on Clay Flameware?
Flameware is a specially formulated type of clay that withstands thermal shock and avoids cracking. Our pots can go from the refrigerator or freezer into a hot pre-heated oven or grill. Cook on Clay makes flameware pots for preparing and presenting foods from our backyards, local farms & around the world.

Why use Cook on Clay Fameware?
Cook on Clay pots are beautiful and durable. The quality of heat in clay pots offers superior cooking performance. Our pots are also easy to clean and healthy for you and the environment.

Who should use Cook on Clay Flameware?
Lovers of fine food, slow food aficionados, appreciators of quality kitchen tools, cooks, chefs, and anyone who enjoys the pleasures of cooking and dining.

What makes Cook on Clay Flameware different?
Flameware clay is made from a special blend of earth materials that will not expand or crack during extreme temperature changes. This clay needs to be fired at very high temperatures to render it vitrified and stable for high-heat applications.

Can I use Cook on Clay pots on the grill or under the broiler?
Yes. All our flameware pots can be used under the broiler, on the grill, and in the oven.

Can I use your flameware pots on the stovetop?
Yes. All our round pots may be used on a stovetop. Some of our products are designed specifically for this purpose. The general rule is that the heat source (oven, grill, electric coil, gas flame, broiler) should mirror the shape of the bottom of the pot.

Can I use Cook on Clay pots in the microwave?
Yes. Flameware pottery can be used in the microwave. Many of our customers report using their pots in the microwave with no problems. 

Why has my pot changed after use?
The surfaces of Cook on Clay pots will change through use and over time. This is a natural part of the maturation process, creating a rich patina and history of use. If you wish, a bit of vegetable oil rubbed into the surface after cleaning will rid the surface of “discoloration”.

Why is the glaze on my pot different than the swatch?
Each pot is handmade, hand-dipped in glaze, and fired in a kiln that allows the flame to kiss the surface of the pots. These valued components give varied and lovely surfaces recording the process of making and firing.

Do I have to heat the pot with the oven?
No. Even cold from the refrigerator or freezer, our pots can be put directly into a hot pre-heated oven, on the stovetop, or onto a hot grill. This is one of the wonderful attributes of Cook on Clay cookware.

How do Cook on Clay pots clean up?
Our pots are completely dishwasher safe and extremely easy to clean with a bit of soaking, soap, and water. Feel free to use a scouring pad as it will not harm the surface.

Why do you make flameware pots?
We make flameware pots to encourage the idea of using handmade objects in everyday life, and because we are convinced that cooking and serving in handmade pottery brings connection and beauty to the simple act of sitting down to a meal with family and friends.