Natures Oven by Reco Vegetable Baker

Glad I tried it, but I cant tell if soaking it makes any difference at all.. Seems like the water left on the VEG after washing would do the same trick (but I dont really know; perhaps the claim is that the water is released over time from the clay).. The VEG do come out great, and it is very easy to clean (I simply rinse with water and it seems to be enough).. Its a bit of a pain to worry about it breaking from temperature changes (I glean from the directions it is more prone to such breakage than other cookware).. Difficult to handle when hot because the lid doesnt have a handle that works well with oven mitts.. Also takes up a lot of space(I am trying to use a toaster oven and roast garlic too, so space is at a premium).. I do love the organic feel of using the clay.. It is pretty enough so my girlfriend will allow it to be used on display when not in use (otherwise every damn thing goes into the cabinets somewhere)..bobbler

I eagerly anticipated baking with this Clay Baker that I ordered, but when it arrived, the bottom part was cracked in two, right down the middle. But I did notice that the bottom part was glazed inside, and I was glad to see this, because I didn't intend to cook just vegetables with it. So I quickly returned it for credit (UPS man picked it up from my apt today). Whether I'll reorder, I don't know right now. I've read that this damaged good delivery was reason why another customer didn't like it, but it seems and looks like a good clay baker. I've had one before, but a little bigger than this one. EDITED year later- I did go ahead and reorder this Clay Baker, and am I glad I did!! This Baker cooks anything and everything that I put in it- and thoroughly too! I enjoy salmon, steak, chicken, rice, etc. with it. I noticed that this currently sells for only $15!!! Buy it now while it's a steal price!! Forget about NuWave Microwave, Pressure cookers, etc. that you might see advertised on TV infomercials- at least until you buy and try this Clay Baker!!

At $15 it will have chips or some other imperfection. Mine had a small medium size chip in the bottom rim In addition I noticed that my $15 version showed lots of cracks under the glaze when I soaked it although that may be normal. . Its normal price is about $32 or $38in the past depending on when you buy it and most of those likely are chip free. This piece is a bit cumbersome and I keep wishing they'd make this pot in a version for singles or even two people who don't eat a lot. This baker is more for a family of 3 or 4.

I love the clay baker. I bake everything....vegetables, meats, fruits, & rice. Breads are baked in the bread machine. Some day that may change too.I always soak my baker for at least an hour, then I place my food in it. Depending on the contents I may add a little water. Women in other countries would seal the lid and bottom with a strip of dough. I use a large piece of aluminum foil that covers the top and sides. I use one temp setting of 425 degrees and set the time at 90 mins (convection oven). I have not had any fails using this method. If chicken contains the bones an additional 30 mins is added.My future will only contain pyrex or clay cooking vessels for the oven & top of stove. I am getting rid of stainless steel.

Cooking in clay is one of the healthiest ways to cook, no grease or oil needed. It is also a fool proof cooking: if that pot-roast/beef-stew dries up and burns every single time buy yourself a clay baker and the meat is guaranteed to come out moist and tender. I use my clay cookware at least 3 times a week. This one is a nice size for dinner for 2 people. It says veggie baker but you can also use it for baking breads, cook meats and fish. It's the easiest way to cook, you don't have to run to the oven every 5 min to baste the food, the baker does it for you when releasing moisture in cooking process. Just as another person noted this baker fits into a smaller size table top oven - a huge plus when you cook during hot summer months.

See customer images. Both images are for the same unit. I didn't think this was a pattern and expected that the replacement would have no damage, so didn't take pictures of the original unit. The product was chipped in several places on the inside rim of the lower half - some of them were big enough to put me off. I had paid for a new product. I asked Amazon for replacement and sent this one back. Amazon promptly sent a replacment. The replacement had more chipping away on the inside rim than the previous one. It looks like all of these units are defective and probably why they are included in 4-for-3 promotion. Do not buy this product. I would go as far as saying, this company does not do any quality control and and can't expect that any of its other eathernware products are in pristine condition either. Bad experience. Amazon should not be selling such defective products.

I received 3 Romertopf clay bakers today. Two glazed that were made in Germany, and this Reco one made in Mexico. They all arrived in the same box, yet this Reco is the only one that was broken into a zillion pieces. I am very impressed with the two made in Germany as the clay is much thicker, sturdier, and heavier. I purposely ordered this Reco because I needed it to be unglazed for making yogurt. The Reco line is supposedly all unglazed and made in Mexico. However, this is stamped Reco, and the broken pieces are glazed on the inside. I measured the thickness with my ruler, and it isn't even 1/4 inch thick. It is only 3/16 inch or .5 centimeters. I would not purchase from the Reco line again. I can't believe Romertopf puts their name on this product.

According to their web site, Romertopf clay bakers are being discontinued in the US at the end of the year.I bought this glazed pot primarily to cook fish, and it's a big hit. I don't have to do much to the fish - a little garlic salt, or lemon juice, salt and pepper - and it always comes out moist and delicious. Times and temps are flexible and forgiving, so this is a good choice if you're stuck with a temperamental oven. Of course this pot does a nice job with its intended vegetables and other foods, too, and is a suitable size for a whole 2-person meal. Recommended! I like mine so much that I just bought a spare.