An intro to conditioning of soapstone utensils!
Soapstone cookware belong to the natural grade of antiquated vessels derived from naturally occurring magnesium rich metamorphic rocks. Hence they undergo evolution with change in environmental pressure, temperature, water or any other liquids that are present around them.
Naturally occurring soapstone appear gritty and give a soapy feel. There might be a slight difference in colour within a single piece of rock. They are much more softer than granite and marble stones.
With continuous change in atmospheric temperature, pressure and moisture, they are more prone to scratches, followed by cracks, which might lead to breakage. And all these factors might create a barrier when we wish to use soapstones for years together. We use dense oil to fix these cracks, since soapstones do not absorb any liquids other than oils.
All the soapstone utensils that are meant for cooking or serving food must be conditioned in a traditional way. This is a kind of behavioural therapy to ensure durability of the cooking utensil.
Beyond this, when we use an unconditioned soapstone for cooking, the only areas exposed to oil or food continuously creates darker patches inside the vessel, while the unused parts in and around the vessel appear lighter in colour. It makes the vessel less attractive further.
So the conditioning of soapstone is a highly essential process. The term “conditioning”, which we use here also refers to seasoning, curing, treating, etc.,
How to season/cure/condition/treat soapstone utensils?
Primary conditioning is an early ritual which includes greasing with edible oils followed by soaking and simmering using starch water. This conventional way of conditioning or seasoning soapstone vessels habituate them to a sustainable temperature variation. It increases the durability of the utensil by preventing cracks during cooking processes.
We highly recommend our customers to carry out the soapstone conditioning process patiently on their own, as a practice of welcoming a newcomer to your kitchen and let the cookware feel the warmth of kindness and good feelings in you!
Soapstone cooking utensils are conditioned in various methods and differ from region to region. We recommend the following way to condition a soapstone, so that they can be made much more durable and can be passed on to the next generation.
Please read the below step by step instructions carefully before initiating the process of conditioning. In case of doubt, do not hesitate to WhatsApp us through +91 973 975 7777.
We do offer thoroughly conditioned soapstone vessels for sale. Kindly check “conditioned soapstone vessels” in our product page. If you still anticipate to get a particular unconditioned soapstone vessel to be conditioned, we are happy to serve you that too. Please give us 10-15 days of time after your purchase from our website. We shall be updating the whole process of conditioning your cookware through WhatsApp (only) frequently.
Below are the things needed to condition your soapstone cookware.
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50-100ml of Castor oil (Sesame oil might also work!)
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Cleaning powder : An equal mix of milled rice flour + chickpea flour (besan)
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A semi-hard scrubber, preferably a coconut scrubber.
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Few grams of turmeric powder
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About 100gm of milled rice flour.
Please do not use any store bought chemical grease, that are meant to condition the soapstone!
The steps involved in conditioning process is detailed in the Part 2 of this blog post.