About Pampered Chef Stoneware

Pampered Chef stoneware is made from stoneware clay. Each piece evenly distributes heat for efficient baking of food. According to the company's website, Pampered Chef believes that "multipurpose tools are the cornerstone of an efficient kitchen" and maintains the mantra that cooking should suit the contemporary chef’s busy lifestyle. Designed to be used in more than one way, the stoneware product line includes muffin pans, baking stones and loaf pans, along with many other pieces.

History

The Pampered Chef products were created in 1980 as founder Doris Christopher's attempt to create a part time job and perform mothering duties at the same time. Interested in catering, Christopher realized that direct home sales provided the most financially flexible option for turning a profit on her interests. Started in her home, the company now has representatives in all 50 states and has branched into global locations such as Canada, the UK and Germany. Product sales are approaching $1 billion annually, and the company employs more than 70,000 kitchen consultants.

Benefits

An initial product line of 150 products was designed with coordinating Pampered Chef recipes. Several functions were often combined in one tool, and the recipes were designed to coordinate. What usually took four tools to make, now could be produced with one Pampered Chef item. Stoneware was included in this initial lineup, and quickly became popular because of its ease of use and for its ability to heat evenly for baking.

Selection

Pampered Chef Stoneware is available in the New Traditions Collection as well as the Classics Collection. The exterior of the New Traditions Collection is glazed in a French vanilla while the Classics collection is unglazed and in its natural, stoneware hue.

Cleaning

Pampered Chef stoneware is relatively low maintenance in terms of cleaning and upkeep. Never use soap or detergent on stoneware pieces as it will seep into the porous surface and leave future baked foods tasting like detergent. However, stoneware can still be cleaned.

A hot water scrub is the recommended method to clean Pampered Chef Stoneware. Run hot water over the surface of the item, scrub it with the included scraper, and dry with a hand towel. If the stoneware piece is deep, fill it with water to soak as this will aid in loosening the food particles and the scraping process will be considerably easier.

For a clean more effective than hot water, shake baking soda directly onto the stone. Scrape the food particles off and brush directly onto the porous surface to remove any residue. Rinse the baking soda and food debris off, then use a hand towel to dry the stoneware prior to storing in the cabinet.

Seasoning

When a Pampered Chef stoneware piece has acquired a natural, nonstick surface, it is considered ‘seasoned." After repeated use, the stoneware should season itself over time. Never use a nonstick spray on stoneware; it will leave a sticky coating that ruins the stoneware attributes. Instead, brush a light coating of vegetable oil on the surface and cook food as normal. Eventually, the vegetable oil will begin to interact with the stoneware and will naturally season itself after a few uses.

References

• Pampered Chef