Bakeware

Why Bake in Polish Pottery

Stoneware fired at about 1,250°C (2,280°F) is dense and non-porous, and it behaves in the oven the way cast iron does: it takes a little longer to come up to temperature, then holds heat steadily and radiates it into the food from all sides. Crusts brown, casseroles bubble evenly to the edges, and a dish brought to the table stays hot through second helpings. The glaze is fused into the surface, so it doesn't stain from tomato sauce or absorb garlic and onion, and it cleans in the dishwasher. And because the outside is decorated, the baking dish is the serving dish; nothing gets transferred.

Which piece for which job

Pie dishes come fluted and plain, in sizes for a standard 9" pie up to a deep-dish or a family quiche [confirm sizes]. Rectangular baking dishes are the workhorses: lasagna, mac and cheese, enchiladas, roasted vegetables, and any casserole, in sizes from a two-person side to a full 9×13 [confirm]; some come with lids for transporting and storing. Loaf bakers handle quick breads, yeast loaves, and meatloaf. Apple bakers are single-serving dishes with a center post that holds an apple, an onion, or a stuffed pepper upright while it bakes. Chicken bakers are deep ovals for a whole bird or a pork roast and then go to the table as the platter. Mixing bowls in 2 and 5 quart sizes nest for storage and are heavy enough not to walk across the counter while you beat batter; they're glazed and decorated like everything else, so they double as serving bowls.

Choosing a pattern

Bakeware comes in the same three families as the dinnerware. Traditional patterns such as Peacock 56, Nature 41, Polka Dot 42, and Daisy Dreams 120 are the classic cobalt-on-cream designs and the most economical. Signature "a" patterns such as Floral Peacock 166a, Blue Blossom 1154a, and Mosaic Flower Light 221a add extra colors and detail. Unikat and DU designs such as Floral Butterfly Unikat 149ar, Poppies Unikat 150ar, and Floral Garden Unikat 312ar are the artist series, signed by the decorator; a large baker shows their full design. The pattern number is shared across every shape, so a baking dish in 166a matches plates, bowls, and mugs in 166a.

Using Polish pottery in the oven

Oven safe to 480°F / 250°C [confirm], microwave safe, freezer safe, and dishwasher safe. The rules are the same as for any stoneware: put the dish in a cold or preheated oven, but never a cold dish from the refrigerator into a hot oven, and never onto a stovetop burner or under a broiler. Let a hot dish rest on a trivet or towel rather than a cold stone counter. Stoneware heats a little more slowly than metal, so add five minutes to recipe times the first time you use a dish and check from there. A baking dish can go from freezer to oven if it's allowed to sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Polish pottery oven safe?

Yes. Boleslawiec stoneware is oven safe to 480°F / 250°C, and microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe. Avoid sudden temperature changes and do not use it on a stovetop or under a broiler.

Can I put a Polish pottery dish straight from the refrigerator into the oven?

Let it sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes first, or start it in a cold oven. Sudden temperature shock is the one thing stoneware doesn't like.

Do the baking dishes stain?

No. The glaze is fused into the surface at high temperature, so tomato sauce, turmeric, and berries wash off in the dishwasher without leaving a mark.

Does bakeware match the dinner plates?

Yes. The same pattern number is used across every shape, so a baking dish in 217a matches dinner plates, bowls, and mugs in 217a.

Are the pieces sold individually or in sets?

Individually. Buy exactly what you need and add matching pieces later; the patterns stay in production.