Equipment
How to Clean a Tagine Pot
Cleaning a tagine is easy once you know the rules, and the rules exist to protect the pot: clay cracks with thermal shock and loses its seasoning with harsh detergent, so gentle is the watchword. Follow a simple routine and your tagine cleans up well and lasts for years.
At a glance
- Cool the pot fully before cleaning — cold water on hot clay cracks it
- Soak off stuck food rather than scrubbing the seasoned surface
- Hand-wash with warm water and minimal soap; never the dishwasher
- Dry thoroughly before storing, and re-oil if it loses its non-stick
Guide
First, let it cool completely. Never put a hot clay tagine under cold water or into a cold sink — the sudden temperature change cracks it. Wait until it's fully cooled to room temperature before cleaning. Then, if food is stuck on, soak rather than scrub: fill the base with warm water and leave it for a while (even an hour) to loosen the residue, so you don't have to attack the seasoned surface with a scourer.
Wash by hand with warm water and a soft sponge or brush. On unglazed clay, use minimal or no detergent — the porous surface can absorb soapy flavours that then taint your next dish, and harsh soap strips the oil seasoning you've built up. Often warm water and a brush are enough for a well-seasoned pot; use a little mild soap only for greasy residue, and rinse well. Glazed tagines tolerate a bit more soap since the coating doesn't absorb. Never use the dishwasher, and avoid abrasive scourers on the interior.
Dry it thoroughly before storing — this is essential, because damp clay goes musty or mouldy. Wipe it and leave it in the air until bone dry, ideally overnight, then store with the lid off or ajar. If the pot has picked up smells or lost its non-stick, wash and dry it, then re-season with a light rub of oil (and a low oven bake if needed). For burnt-on residue, a paste of baking soda and water left to sit lifts it gently without harsh scrubbing.
Practical tips
- 1
Always let the tagine reach room temperature before it touches water.
- 2
Soak stubborn residue in warm water for an hour instead of scouring.
- 3
Go easy on detergent on unglazed clay — it absorbs soapy flavours.
- 4
A baking-soda-and-water paste lifts burnt-on bits without harsh scrubbing.
- 5
Dry it completely and store with the lid ajar to prevent mustiness.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put a tagine in the dishwasher?
No — a dishwasher can crack a clay tagine and strips its seasoning. Always hand-wash, gently, with warm water and minimal soap after the pot has cooled completely.
How do I get stuck-on food off a tagine?
Soak it — fill the base with warm water and leave it to loosen the residue rather than scrubbing the seasoned surface. For burnt-on bits, a baking-soda-and-water paste lifts them gently.
Should I use soap on a clay tagine?
Minimal or none on unglazed clay, since the porous surface absorbs soapy flavours and harsh soap strips the seasoning. Warm water and a brush usually suffice; use a little mild soap only for greasy residue, and rinse well.
Try the recipes
Put the tip into practice with these free step-by-step recipes: