info on flower pot baking

I use several different flower pots for baking my breads and buns in. They
work wonderfully! I have an azalea pot (similar to traditional pot, only wider
and shorter), twelve 3" seedling pots (for buns), a window box (for italian
loaves), and a 10" saucer (for hearth bread or buns).
First, wash your pots well with just water, no soap. Now you must condition
them before using. When they are dry, slather the insides with vegetable oil.
Let them dry again (it will go quick) and slather them again. When dry, put in
a 250 degree oven for one hour, then turn oven OFF and let them cool completely
in the oven. Now they are ready to use.
Before each use, oil or spray with a non-stick spray. Each time you use them
and spray them, they will get better and better and you will find after a while
your dough slides right out. Do not wash with soap, just clean out the crumbs
with water or a simple brush.
You may raise your dough right in the pots. I don't find it necessary to cover
the hole on the bottom with foil as I have read about. Bread dough is not thin
enough to go through. Raise as you would any other dough, with a light tea
towel covering the pot. Do not run cold water over a hot stone, as they could
crack.
Also, you should test your pots for lead. Some countries may use lead still,
so be sure to do this, especially if you have children. You can get a lead
test kit at any hardware store.
I got my pots at Walmart, except the window box and saucer I got at Stein's
Garden Center. Hope this helps. These are wonderful to bake your breads in.
You will wish you would have heard of this sooner!
Liz D.