Anyone have experience with the Pampered Chef Stoneware? Is it a "safe" product to use for baking? I can't imagine any problems, but I have no idea if it's treated with anything, etc. Thoughts?

I have a round pizza stone. I just used it tonight to make some rolls. I really don't know if it's "safe" or not, but I haven't heard anything to the contrary. I imagine it's as safe as terra cotta. You have to season it when you get it, but it's pretty easy to do. (I've had no problems, yet I'm having MAJOR issues with my cast iron.) I think it cooks foods very well, and I'm quite happy with it.

It is an unglazed stoneware. It is totally safe to cook on. because it has a slightly porous surface, it is not advices to wash with soap because your food will taste of soap. Like a seasoned wok or pan, your stoneware will become seasoned by the oils and spices in your foods. Pampered Chef is a brand name, but you can get other brands of stoneware. Personally, I have preferred the quality of my pampered chef to the pizza stone I bought aat target.

Thanks folks! I think I'll give it a shot. :)

I have all of it and LOVE it. Works great, food turns out great. The big giant roasting pan with lid is SOOOOOOO good for chickens or roasts. I love it love it love it. (and no, I do not sell pampered chef. ha ha) Unfortunatley, it will break if you drop it, or if you forget you put a roast in the oven and bake it all day. Don't ask how I know this. :innocent

Yeah it's safe. I'd like more actually, when I get some money.

So this begs the question... How easy is it to make this stuff yourself? I have a friend with a ceramic shop and a kiln. Is it a special clay you'd need to use? Because a big flat rectangle or circle is a shape I could manage. :LOL

I have a few peices. I love it. I would love more of it to.

KoalaMama, the clay body is called stoneware. There are many variations or recipes for stoneware. You could make your own. I would make sure the surface is extremely smooth and maybe even burnish it or trim with trimming tools when it is leather hard, so food won't get trapped on the surface. Also, have your friend fire it twice instead of just once. This will strenghth the dish.

just a note on non-name brand stoneware: careful of the clay source. i've heard--though i'm afraid i don't have a source--that clay can sometimes contain lead. stones made in the us--like pampered chef--have to meet high standards of quality. i love my pizza stone--i bake all sorts of things on it. good luck making one!!!

Lead can not withstand the firing process of stoneware. Lead is found in some low fire glazes, which are rarely found in the US for food consumption and really obsolete in functional pottery. Usually earthanware is used with the low fire glazes opposed to stoneware. You should have no concern with the baking stoneware found in the US.