should I buy this baking dish?

[Adasmommy]

My thrift store has this oven dish that looks like unglazed terracotta--not like the stoneware I have, because it is the terracotta color. It looks to me like it is shaped for a chicken to be put in it, and it has a lid made out of the same stuff. It looks really cool and is twenty bucks so it might be something I should swoop down on quick, but I do not know my way around bakeware well enough to know what it is or if it is safe. It doesn't seem to have any printing on it giving clues to material or brand . . .

Oh, and I'm only assuming it goes in the oven because it looks like a covered baking dish. For all I know it's for bread and it will be destroyed in an oven . . .

: What do you think?

[velochic]

Do you need it? Do you have something that can do the same thing this dish does?

[Lisalucy]

It sounds like a clay pot baker. It should be unglazed inside and out. You can google clay pot baking and see if this is something you would like to do. I understand it to be a healthy way to prepare food. Depending on the size, this one may be a good price; the one I saw on Amazon was listed for $40.

--LL

[reducereuserecycle]

Don't get it! You need to be soooo careful with any clay pieces (glazed or unglazed) for potential contaminants such as lead. If any piece of clay with contaminats is fired in a certain kiln then that kiln soaks in some of the contaminants and for the life of that kiln can release that toxin, such as lead. Since there is no brand, you have no way to check out the maker and would be putting your family at risk.

[Adasmommy]

thanks for the warning (and other info)--I'm passing!