Care & useLooking after
Looking after
your Pottie
No seasoning, no oiling, no babysitting. Hand-Cast aluminium is built to be used hard and washed easy, and here's everything to get the most out of yours.
Do
- Wash by hand with warm water and washing-up liquid.
- Use any sponge or brush you like, even a steel one.
- Dry with a towel before you pack it away.
- Use any utensils you like, wood, silicone or metal.
- Let it cool before washing to avoid warping from thermal shock.
Don't
- Don't use it on induction hobs. Aluminium isn't magnetic, so induction won't heat it.
- Don't put it in the dishwasher. It dulls the finish over time.
- Don't use bleach or oven cleaner on the metal.
- Don't leave food standing in the pot overnight.
Before your first cook
Straight to the fire
Aluminium needs no curing. Rinse it, dry it, and it's ready. No burning off lacquer, no boiling mutton fat.
1
Rinse it
A quick wash in warm soapy water clears any dust from casting and packing.
2
Dry it
Towel it dry. That's it, no oiling, no curing, no seasoning.
3
You're cooking
Straight onto the fire, stove or coals. Full flavour from the very first pot.
After every cook
Everyday care
1
Let it cool
Give a hot pot a few minutes before it meets cold water.
2
Wash by hand
Warm water, washing-up liquid and any sponge does it, steel wool included.
3
Dry fully
Towel-dry inside and out before you put it away.
4
Store anywhere
No oiling needed. Stack it, hang it, or shelve it as-is.
Getting the best out of it
Cooking tips, by pot
Potjie Pot (Boepie)
Built for coals and open fire. Layer your ingredients and resist the urge to stir, let it simmer low and slow. The legs detach for easy packing and storage.
Flat Bottom Pot (Flattie)
The one for a flat stovetop, gas, electric or a flat braai. Same slow-cooked results as the Potjie, just off the coals.
Paella Pan (Pella)
A wide, shallow pan built for a crowd. Spreads heat evenly for a proper socarrat crust on the bottom.
Bread Pan (Broodjie)
Bakes pot bread, roosterkoek and loaves on the coals or in the oven. Grease lightly before the first bake each time.
Got a personalised lid?
Your cast name is part of the metal, not a sticker, so it can't peel or fade. Wash and scrub it just like the rest of the pot, lettering included.
Common questions
FAQ
Is aluminium safe and healthy to cook with?
Yes. For everyday cooking there is no meaningful leaching at all. It only becomes a factor with prolonged, highly acidic cooking, and even then the high-grade aluminium Potties uses is food-safe cookware. Cook, give it a wash by hand, and pack it away. No special routine needed.
What can I cook it on, gas, electric, open fire, induction?
Gas, electric, open fire, coals and the braai are all fine. The only exception is induction, aluminium isn't magnetic, so induction hobs won't heat it. For a flat stovetop, reach for the Flat Bottom Pot (Flattie) rather than the 3-leg Potjie.
Do I need to season my Pottie like cast iron?
No. Aluminium doesn't need seasoning, curing or an oil coating. Wash it, dry it, and it's ready to cook every time.
Is it normal for the metal to darken slightly?
Yes. Light discolouration from heat is cosmetic and normal on Hand-Cast aluminium. It doesn't affect performance or safety, and a wash will lift most of it.
Can I use metal utensils and steel wool on it?
Yes, any utensils and any sponge or brush are fine, steel wool included. Aluminium is tough enough to take it.
Can it go on an open fire and on a stove?
Yes, every Pottie is built for coals, open flame, gas and flat stovetops alike.
What if food is stuck on after cooking?
Let it soak in warm soapy water for a few minutes, then scrub with any sponge or brush you have on hand.
How do I look after a personalised lid?
The name is cast into the metal, so it can't peel or wash off. Clean and scrub it just like the rest of the pot.