Not for foodstuffs.
The pottery currently produces no pots that we would consider suitable for foodstuffs or use for consumption of food and drink. This is not because of the materials we use but simply because none of our current range are glazed. Therefore there is no impervious surface that would ensure that a pot could be washed thoroughly without leaving a residue of old food or liquid.
Ian is continually bringing in new designs and there are plans to eventually produce pots that could be suitable for foodstuffs. These would be clearly indicated as 'suitable for foodstuffs' within the pot description. This description would have to include a number of provisos.
Ideally you should seek to buy pottery for food and drink consumption that has been tested as food-safe. We would take great care before declaring a pot as 'food-safe' for the sake of your health and our reputation. As you may have gathered by now, stating that a pot is safe for eating and drinking is not that simple.
Our pots and water.
Our current range of house pots are not intended to be truly waterproof. This is not to say that they leak - they don't! But, because we do not normally use a conventional glaze coating, if filled with water they will, over time, absorb some of the liquid which may pass through to the outside of the pot. They should, however happily contain liquid for a short time and they will also happily act as containers for house plants, etc. enquiries@thehousepottery.com
Our pots and frost
Are they frost resistant?
We would expect most of our pots to be fine in all but the most severe of cold weather conditions. Those fired to a high temperature (1120/1180 degrees) means that the water absorbency rate is relatively low. It is freezing water within the body of the pot that causes the damage. We would hesitate to describe any ceramic pot as 100% frost resistant and would advise you to always bring inside the most precious of your planters during very low temperature, severe weather. Our earthenware pottery (1070 degrees) is likely to have less resistance to frost damage.
Many of our pots would look very well in a garden setting so long as they are given shelter from severe frost. On request we can make certain house pots using clays specifically designed for garden pottery. These have been manufactured to have a higher level of resistance to frost damage. enquiries@thehousepottery.com
Lead and other harmful substances - we don't use them!
We do not knowingly use any materials or substances that would make any of our pots dangerous or harmful. Obviously, we have to trust our suppliers assurances but all the clays and materials we use are very low risk for our own safety as well as yours. By the time they have been fired we believe that all our pots are safe and free from harmful substances such as lead. All products we use state that they are lead free.
