Clay cooking for a potter – thermal shock?

I think clay pots are often meant to be used in the oven, at least it would be easier on the pot than a flame? In an oven they would be heated much more evenly. Look up Romertopf cooking.

Generally if you have the option Raku clay will withstand thermal shock much better than other clay.

Though there probably was something else wrong, as it is perfectly possible to put boiling water into tea pots and tea cups made from a wide variety of clay. Wouldn't expect an air bubble in the clay as this would have resulted in it breaking during firing. If it is glazed on both sides, maybe water got into cracks of the glaze and the water couldn't escape fast enough? Or maybe there was a hairline crack you couldn't see? Or the piece was cooled too quickly in the firing leaving residual stresses? I would keep trying.

Oh no there is a trick to making cookware from clay, not all clay can be used and its safest to use a particular type of natural clay. The man-made ceramic version has many additives that are not good to be used for cooking i had a ceramic guru make some for me and it didn't work, i finally bought some from at Miriams Earthen Cookware, potters who specialize in making clay cookware. they had some beauties that worked really well, they get better and cook more faster as you use them.

I've been using pure clay pot for cooking and they do a fantastic job in my kitchen. If you’re using it on a gas stove no need of heat diffuser, just start with low heat for 10-15 mins and then go to medium and when you see that the pot is cooking and boiling you can reduce the heat as the heat in the pot will be sufficient to cook the food. You will need a heat diffuser  if you’re going to use it on electric stove. The first time you use it, seasoning is a must. Here is a very helpful link that got me started on this amazing way of cooking food: http://miriamsearthencookware.com/how-to-cook-in-c...

Like OMGEEE ya gotta be kiddin meh!? Clay aiken is cookin for Harry Potter!?? WHOOT dat just gets as GAY as can be...I'd sure like to see him in an apron. whooooppeeee...pshh got any links?

Harry?