Equipment
How to Care for a Clay Tagine
A clay tagine is a living piece of cookware that gets better with age if you look after it, or cracks and sours if you don't. The care routine is simple — gentle washing, thorough drying, occasional re-oiling and sensible storage — and it keeps an unglazed pot healthy and non-stick for many years.
At a glance
- Cool fully, then hand-wash gently — never the dishwasher, go easy on soap on unglazed clay
- Dry thoroughly (ideally overnight) before storing to avoid musty smells and mould
- Re-oil the inside every few uses to maintain the non-stick patina
- Store dry with the lid off or ajar so air circulates
Guide
Wash a clay tagine gently and by hand — never in the dishwasher, which can crack it and strip its seasoning. Let it cool completely first (a hot pot under cold water will crack), then wash with warm water and a soft brush or sponge. Go easy on detergent, especially on unglazed clay, because the porous surface can absorb soapy flavours; for a well-seasoned pot, hot water and a brush are often enough, with a little mild soap only when needed. Soak on stubborn bits rather than scrubbing hard.
Drying is where people go wrong. Unglazed clay holds moisture, and if you store it damp it can develop a musty smell or even mould inside. Dry it thoroughly — wipe it, then leave it out in the air until completely dry, ideally overnight, before putting it away. If it does pick up a musty smell, a wash, a thorough dry and a re-season with oil usually sorts it out; a rub with lemon or a bake-out in a low oven helps too.
Keep it seasoned and store it well. Every few uses, rub the inside lightly with oil to maintain the non-stick patina, and the pot will darken and improve over time like cast iron. Store it somewhere dry with the lid off or ajar, not sealed tight while even slightly damp, so air can circulate. Handle it as the fragile thing it is — no cold shocks, always a diffuser on the heat — and a good clay tagine will serve you for decades.
Practical tips
- 1
Let the pot cool completely before it ever meets water.
- 2
Minimise detergent on unglazed clay — it absorbs soapy flavours; hot water and a brush often suffice.
- 3
Dry it fully before storing; damp clay goes musty or mouldy.
- 4
Musty smell? Wash, dry fully, re-oil, and bake out in a low oven if needed.
- 5
Store with the lid off or ajar so the porous clay can breathe.
Frequently asked questions
How do I clean a clay tagine?
Let it cool fully, then hand-wash with warm water and a soft brush. Go easy on detergent — unglazed clay absorbs soapy flavours — and never use the dishwasher. Soak stubborn bits rather than scrubbing hard.
Why does my tagine smell musty?
Usually it was stored damp — porous clay holds moisture and can go musty or mouldy. Wash it, dry it thoroughly, re-oil it, and bake it out in a low oven if needed, then always store it fully dry.
Should I oil my tagine after washing?
Every few uses, rub the inside lightly with oil to maintain the non-stick, seasoned patina. Over time the pot darkens and improves, much like cast iron.
Try the recipes
Put the tip into practice with these free step-by-step recipes: