Where does Naturstone soapstone come from?
Naturstone soapstone cook and serve ware is quarried in Brazil where deposits of the very hard, dense soapstone needed for cookware are still abundant. Our cookware is carved entirely from this solid stone, continuing a 5,000 year-old tradition of cooking with soapstone.
Why use soapstone?
It's beautiful - The natural stone and copper highlights make for a piece that you'll be proud to keep at all times on display in your kitchen or serve your guests from at any dinner party.
It's natural - The surface of Naturstone cookware is naturally non-stick, and when cured becomes even more so - no synthetic materials. In addition, there's no leaching or discoloration with soapstone as the stone does not react to food acids.
It's versatile - Use your piece to cook and serve, or chill and serve, indoors or out!
It works really well! - Soapstone is a very dense stone. Therefore, it heats very evenly and holds the heat (or cold) for a long time. Soapstone stores more heat for its weight than any other naturally occurring material. It has twice the heat-storing capacity of iron.This means that you can turn off the heat 5-10 minutes early and let your food continue to cook to perfection, very slowly, and remain warm, even if your meal is an hour or more away. Soapstone can also withstand extremely high temperatures. The stone itself can go up to 1000 degrees C (for pieces with copper, temperatures should be kept under 750 degrees F).
How the cookware pieces arrive:
Naturstone is sold in its natural state, which is gray in color. Before using your piece to cook or serve foods it should be cured with oil and heat. This will provide the uniformly darkened patina you see in many of our pictures. Curing also enhances the non-stick quality of the cooking surface.
Please note that, on occasion, slight imperfections, such as surface scratches and small chips, can and do occur. This is part of the normal production of handworking stone. These minor imperfections will disappear during the curing process and will in no way interfere with the function or longevity of your cookware.
Uses:
Pots: Oven, stovetop (electric, gas, glasstop), grill. Wonderful for slow cooking. Can also saute, fry. Serve chilled soups too.
Griddles: Oven, stovetop (electric , gas, glasstop), grill. Pancakes, eggs, griddle cakes, flat breads, fajitas, tableside cooking: sizzling meats, etc
Pans: Oven use only. Pizza, nachos, hot or cold hors d"oeuvres, broiled fish, vegetables, etc - For crispy crusts, and to sear meats pan must be pre-heated (15 minutes at 450 degrees F is good)
Ceramic/Glasstop stove users do need to exercize more caution when cooking with soapstone on the stovetop. In some cases, using a heat diffuser is recommended due to the intensity and speed with which these stovetops heat.
IT IS ALWAYS RECOMMENDED TO USE GRADUAL HEAT WHEN HEATING YOUR STONE COOKWARE.
Instuctions on curing come with each piece. Below are sample instructions:
Wash your new cookware piece with hot water and a mild detergent. Let dry.
Amply oil the soapstone vessel inside and out with your preferred cooking oil (grapeseed and avocado oils have high smoke points, olive oil is still a favorite for lower-temperature cooking).
Allow some time for the oil to start adhering to the stone (24 hours in a warm area is great).
Pots: Fill the pot with water to the line of the copper band. Place it on the stove and bring the water slowly to a boil. Allow it to boil uncovered for 30 minutes. Turn off the burner.
Lids, Pans, Griddles: Place the pot lid or pan or griddle in a moderate (350 degree) oven for 20-30 minutes. For extra security, place the pan in the unheated oven first, allowing the piece to heat up gradually to the moderate temperature. Turn off the oven.
Allow the soapstone to cool gradually.
Repeat the heating process a second time. (Add more oil only if gray spots have reappeared.)
Your Naturstone piece is now ready to use.
If any tackiness remains, just continue to use the piece and the tackiness will eventually disappear, or you may choose to wash it off with hot water and detergent, and then reapply a much thinner coat of oil.
Care:
Always avoid sudden changes in temperature (thermal shock), such as placing a hot pot in water, or placing a refrigerated stone in a hot oven.
Always use gradual heating and cooling.
Always use a heavy towel, wood cutting board or trivet to protect your counter or table from a hot stone piece.
Clean with a sponge and hot water. You may choose to use a mild detergent, although you may need to apply a thin coat of oil with a paper towel the next time you cook. Avoid using abrasive products.
Take care in handling the cookware. The stone could break if dropped.
Always use potholders when handling hot pieces.
