Welcome back! Today’s topic will be pottery and the freezer. I have been getting a few questions regarding pottery going into the freezer. A lot of people have been asking if can you put pottery in the freezer or can you freeze pottery pieces. A lot of ceramics are freezer-safe, that is you can put them in a freezer but there is a limit to it. For example, it is not advisable to freeze water in ceramics, it will break the piece once the water freezes and expands. In this article, I will be talking about how you can freeze pottery and the types of pottery you can freeze.
WILL CERAMIC MUGS AND PANS BREAK IF PLACED IN A FREEZER?
If the ceramic mug has gone through the right molding and baking process, it can be placed in a freeze without cracking as long as it isn’t subjected to moisture during freezing conditions. Some pottery like porcelain ceramic is impervious, so they are not affected by moisture in freezing environments.
Ceramic pans can be used for freezer storage as long as it is tempered and baked properly. Also, check to make sure that the ceramic pan is specifically labeled freezer safe. If you want to reheat food that you froze in a ceramic pan, make sure you do not preheat the oven. Putting frozen ceramic in a hot oven can cause the pan to crack/shatter. Instead, put the frozen dish in a big bowl filled with warm water for a minute or you should put it into a cold oven and turn on the heat so the dish warms up gradually.
TYPES OF CERAMIC THAT CAN BE FROZEN
CERAMIC/CLAY TYPE |
ADVISABLE FREEZING POINT |
EARTHENWARE |
Lesser than 29°F |
MID-FIRE STONEWARE |
Lesser than -10°F |
HIGH-FIRE STONEWARE |
Lesser than -8°F |
PYREX |
Lesser than 13°F |
1. Earthenware:
It is otherwise known as common clay, and it contains many minerals, such as iron oxide (rust), and in its raw state may contain a bit of sand or small bits of rock. Earthenware is a secondary clay that has been transported by stirring water some distance, picking up minerals and other materials before settling in a river bed. Because of its many impurities, earthenware melts at a cooler temperature than other clays. We are going to talk more about this later in this article. Earthenware clay is said to be a low-fire clay because it bakes at a low temperature. It is often used in making terra cotta pots, tiles, and other low-fire ware. The pots and mugs made from this type of clay can be put in a freezer and frozen at 29°F after bisque firing. Unlike other types of ceramic clay, it retains a lot of water and it is advisable not to over-freeze earthenware clay. It tends to expand and crack once it gets frozen for over 100 hours.
2. Mid-fire stoneware Clay
This is a tough and long-lasting clay that is fired to mid temperatures between 2100 and 2300°F (1205–1260°C). Mid-fire stoneware Clay’s natural colors vary from light gray to extremely dark gray or chocolate brown. In the 1900s, this type of clay is used to make crocks and jugs. But around the 1950s, potters got creative and started exploring the uses of stoneware clay. They found out that there is more to making jugs and crocks from stoneware clay. It will excite you to know that mid-fire stoneware clay is used to make the ceramic plates you use while dining. Mid-fire stoneware clay is used to make dinnerware. Most dinner wares can be kept in extremely cold temperatures of up to -10°F. There are no restrictions on how this can be kept in the freezer. Some freezing plates and cooling bases are made from Stoneware clay.
3. High-Fire stoneware clay
It will thrill you to know that the popular Kaolin you have heard and read about is known as High-fire stoneware clay. Yes, Kaolin is another name for High-fire stoneware clay. Kaolin or China clay is the purest form of clay in the world. It is deemed to be the purest clay because it is found very near its source. Kaolin’s particle size is larger than the other two types of clay. You should note that it is not very plastic-like earthenware and mid-fire stoneware clays. Just like the mid-fire stoneware clay, ceramics made from this clay are durable and everlasting and freezer safe. There has been no report of High-Fire Stoneware clay breaking due to extreme freezing conditions.
4. Pyrex
Pyrex is commonly used in almost every Southern kitchen. These durable clay from which colorful and cheerful ceramic dishes and dinnerware, are a must-have for any cook. Whether you have mixing bowls, serving pieces, bakeware, storage containers, or other products of Pyrex you’ve probably wondered whether it is safe to put in the freezer. Yes—but there are a few rules you should follow. When using Pyrex or any glass bakeware or cookware, you should shun extreme temperature changes—very cold dishes shouldn’t be placed in a hot oven, and very hot dishes shouldn’t be placed in the freezer. Abrupt changes in temperature may cause the dish to shatter or break. For example, if you just finished firing a piece and you decide to test it by serving hot food with it, the piece should not be placed immediately in the freezer until it gets cool. If there is a need for you to put it inside a freezer immediately, make sure you wrap it in foil paper. Foil paper regulates the temperature quickly even while it is in the freezer.
Stoneware clay materials are rare to find but I have gone the extra mile to source it for you. You can order yours by clicking here.
Most pottery projects are in the freezer but at specific freezing points. As earlier said, you should shun extreme temperature changes—very cold projects shouldn’t be placed in a hot oven, and very hot pottery projects shouldn’t be placed in the freezer. Abrupt changes in temperature may cause the piece to shatter or break.
