Today, you have an ever-growing selection of clay bakers to choose from. This category continues to expand as more people discover the benefits of cooking in crock pots: healthier, tastier meals. With clay bakers, cooks have gained additional capabilities in their kitchens. In addition, the wide variety of meals that you can prepare are not only delicious but also very healthy. There is no need to add cooking oil or fat, as clay cookware allows meat and vegetables to cook in their natural juices. And you don’t need to add a lot of salt as the natural cooking process brings out the rich flavors of the ingredients.

However, there is a caution. Because you have so many options, there’s always a chance you’ll end up with a product that doesn’t fit your needs. That’s why when you’re planning to buy clay bakers, be sure to consider the following tips:

1. Determine what you want to do. Clay pots these days come in all shapes and sizes. Standard clay bakers range in sizes from small (about 1-2 quarts) to very large (6-7 quarts) suitable for small casseroles and large turkeys. In addition, there are vegetable bakers, fish clay bakers, terracotta chicken roasters, apple bakers, bakers, and more. There are also new designs to complement the traditional products and there are special items for those special gatherings and some that can hold large amounts of food. For those who are still in the process of familiarizing themselves with the capabilities of these updated versions of traditional cookware, the selection process can be daunting. So before you buy, know the reason for your purchase. It will definitely save your time as you can select the right products to meet your needs.

2. Buy clay bakers from the right place. There are certainly many places where you can find clay bakers. But you might be surprised when you head to your favorite department store and ask if they have a wide range of crock pots and find that they don’t have any. There are specialized stores where you can find them but be careful with the prices. On the other hand, you can save time and energy by searching and buying online. Not all websites offer a complete selection of products from the best manufacturers, such as Schlemmertopf and Romertopf.

3. Look for plugins. It’s always nice to get your cookware with added bonuses like cookbooks, recipes, and how-to guides on how you can get more out of your cookware. These things add value to your products. At the very least, make sure you receive a manual that shows you how to properly care for and handle your items. Keep in mind that they require a different kind of care than normal metal kitchen equipment and cannot withstand rapid changes in temperature. Guides must, at a minimum, provide instructions for soaking, baking, cooking, and serving with your clay oven.

4. Consult the customer service policy. A good way to know if you are dealing with a good provider is their customer service policies. There should be an option to return cookware if it turns out to be faulty or doesn’t meet your needs. Payment options, shipping practices and other services must be specified. If you have bought it in good faith, then the store should sell it to you in the same way.

Clay bakers are wonderful so keep in mind the quality of the items being sold along with the service and support you should receive. After all, clay pots are a great investment that can last a lifetime.