Hi!
I’ve been making jjigaes forever in a random pot that always burns, so I bought this ttukbaegi at a small local Korean store. It came as is – no box or anything. I asked the staff if I could use it on the stove and they said yes, but not induction. Their English was a bit limited so I couldn’t ask more.
How can I:
1) be sure it’s safe in terms of not leaking anything dangerous (lead? Cadmium?) into my kimchi or other jjigae?
2) clean it for first use? ChatGPT said to use dishwashing liquid and a soft sponge, but online people say not to use dishwashing liquid. Also, it told me to heat water on the smallest burner till it bubbles. Unfortunately, my burner is so small that it never bubbled lol and I’m not sure if it needs seasoning or anything.
3) use it for kimchi jjigae safely? Do I need to heat it really slowly?
Thank you all!
by Mizrah_Tikhoni
12 Comments
Induction definitely won’t work bc the bowl isn’t made out of metal. Induction works by producing a magnetic field that agitates atoms in magnetic cookware.
Electric (I imagine) won’t heat it up properly bc it’ll only heat up points of contact between the bowl and stove top. Anyone is free to correct me if I’m wrong about this!
I don’t think any seasoning is necessary, if you’re thinking of something cast iron. If it’s brand new, gentle rinse fine. Dish soap really won’t hurt it.
Google translate app is fantastic for these kind of things.
[업소용주방용품 전문 주방뱅크-바이오찌개솥(6호)-금광](https://www.jubangbank.co.kr/goods/detail.asp?gno=23253&cate=)
품명:바이오찌개솥6호, 재질:도자기제, 수입자및판매자:(주) 금광
I have found the product mentioned above, along with its description and precautions.
**Product Description**
* **Traditional Charm & High Heat Retention:** This authentic charcoal-infused earthenware pot (Onggi Gamashot) brings out a rustic, traditional flavor. Perfect for Suyuk (boiled pork slices) and Bossam-jeongol (pork wrap hot pot), it can be used directly over a flame and keeps your food warm for a long time.
* **Preserving Original Flavors:** Recreating traditional earthenware manufacturing methods, this pot beautifully enhances and preserves the natural flavor of your ingredients.
* **Natural Seeping Phenomenon:** Depending on the specific item, tiny amounts of moisture or food liquid may subtly seep through the surface during cooking. This is a natural characteristic of traditional breathable Onggi and does not affect the usage or safety of the product.
* **Double-Boiling / Steaming Guide:** When cooking dishes like Suyuk or Bossam, you can place a bamboo or stainless steel steamer tray on the inner middle ridge, add a little water underneath, and use it as a steamer or double-boiler.
**Usage Precautions**
1. **First-Time Use & Seasoning:** Since this is an earthenware product, it may emit a natural clay odor upon its first use. Before cooking food, it is highly recommended to season the pot. Fill it with rice water (water from rinsing rice) or water mixed with flour, and boil it 3 to 4 times.
2. **Temperature Control:** To bring out the rich, authentic flavor of your food, always cook over **medium or low heat**. (Please avoid using high heat).
3. **Moisture & Cooking Style:** When cooking foods with very little liquid, cook over low heat and avoid prolonged heating. **Do not use this pot for stir-frying or grilling**, as it requires sufficient moisture to prevent cracking.
4. **Storage & Moisture Control:** After washing, ensure the pot is completely dry before storing. Storing it in a damp or humid place may cause discoloration or damage.
5. **Pre-Heating Check:** Always inspect the condition of the pot (checking for cracks or defects) before applying heat.
6. **Safety Warning:** Handle with care to prevent breakage or personal injury from strong impacts. Be cautious around open flames and wear protective mitts to prevent burns, as the pot retains extreme heat.
7. **Avoid Thermal Shock:** Do not subject the pot to sudden temperature changes (e.g., placing a hot pot directly into cold water, or heating a freezing cold pot), as this will cause it to crack.
Just to be clear, there are no safety instructions imprinted on the ttukbaegi pot. It’s mostly just the manufacturer & importer info. At least it does say that it’s a ceramic jjigae pot, so it’s fuly intended for making kimchi jjigae.
>품명: 바이오찌개솥6호 재질: 도자기재
Product Name: Bio Jjigae Pot #6 / Material: Ceramics
>수입자및판매자: (주)금광 7-23-4
Importer & Reseller: Geumgwang Co. Ltd.
>주소: 경남 함양군 함양읍 월명길 92-1
Address: Wolmyeong-gil 92-1, Hamyang-eup, Hamyang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
>제조자: (유)심양금광도자 Made in China
Manufacturer: Shenyang Geumgwang Ceramics, LLC
1. 첫 사용 전 길들이기 (Seasoning before first use)
뚝배기의 미세한 구멍(porous)을 메워 내구성을 높이고 갈라짐을 방지하는 과정입니다.
* **방법**: 뚝배기에 물을 채우고 밀가루나 쌀뜨물을 2스푼 정도 풀어준 뒤, 약 10~15분간 끓여줍니다. (How to season: Fill the pot with water and add a couple of spoons of flour or rice water. Boil it for about 10 to 15 minutes.) [[1](https://kitchenire.com/article/%EC%9D%B4%EC%9A%A9%EC%95%88%EB%82%B4-faq/3/19/), [2](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3g0IIRH21Y)]
2. 조리 시 주의사항 (Cooking)
* **열 충격 방지 (Avoid thermal shock)**: 급격한 온도 변화는 균열을 일으킵니다. 차가운 뚝배기를 바로 센 불에 올리지 마세요. (Do not place a cold pot on high heat immediately.) [[1](https://www.ajd.co.kr/contents/basic-tip/detail/%EB%9A%9D%EB%B0%B0%EA%B8%B0_%EC%84%B8%EC%A0%9C_%EC%84%B8%EC%B2%99%ED%95%98%EB%8A%94_%EB%85%B8%ED%95%98%EC%9A%B0-75510)]
* **불 조절**: 중불이나 약불에서 서서히 가열하는 것이 좋습니다. (It is best to heat it gradually over medium or low heat.) [[1](https://m.wooridoye.com/article/%EC%9E%90%EB%A3%8C%EC%8B%A4/7/314/)]
3. 세척 방법 (Cleaning)
세제를 사용하면 미세한 구멍으로 세제가 스며들 수 있어 주의해야 합니다. []
* **세제 금지**: 세제 대신 베이킹소다(baking soda)나 쌀뜨물(rice water)을 활용해 세척하세요. (Avoid using dish soap, as the porous clay can absorb it. Use baking soda or rice water instead.) [[1](https://v.daum.net/v/0BrwagNfRK?f=p), [2](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3g0IIRH21Y), [3](https://www.ajd.co.kr/contents/basic-tip/detail/%EB%9A%9D%EB%B0%B0%EA%B8%B0_%EC%84%B8%EC%A0%9C_%EC%84%B8%EC%B2%99%ED%95%98%EB%8A%94_%EB%85%B8%ED%95%98%EC%9A%B0-75510)]
* **세척법**: 물에 베이킹소다나 쌀뜨물을 넣고 끓여준 뒤, 식혀서 부드러운 수세미로 닦아냅니다. (Boil water with baking soda or rice water, let it cool, and wipe gently with a soft sponge.) [[1](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3g0IIRH21Y), [2](https://v.daum.net/v/0BrwagNfRK?f=p), [3](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiUqyv3v3qM), [4](https://news.samsung.com/kr/%EA%B1%B4%EA%B0%95%ED%95%9C-%ED%95%9C-%EB%81%BC%EB%A5%BC-%EC%9C%84%ED%95%9C-%EC%98%AC%EB%B0%94%EB%A5%B8-%EB%9A%9D%EB%B0%B0%EA%B8%B0-%EC%84%B8%EC%B2%99%EB%B2%95)]
4. 보관 및 건조 (Drying & Storing)
* **완전 건조**: 숨을 쉬는 그릇이므로 습기가 남아있으면 곰팡이가 생길 수 있습니다. 통풍이 잘되는 곳에서 완벽하게 말려주세요. (Ensure the pot is completely dry before storing, as leftover moisture can cause mold.) [[1](https://www.ajd.co.kr/contents/basic-tip/detail/%EB%9A%9D%EB%B0%B0%EA%B8%B0_%EC%84%B8%EC%A0%9C_%EC%84%B8%EC%B2%99%ED%95%98%EB%8A%94_%EB%85%B8%ED%95%98%EC%9A%B0-75510)]
* **보관**: 냄새가 배거나 곰팡이가 피는 것을 방지하기 위해 보관할 때는 뚜껑을 살짝 열어두세요. (Leave the lid slightly ajar when storing to allow air circulation.) [[1](https://www.ajd.co.kr/contents/basic-tip/detail/%EB%9A%9D%EB%B0%B0%EA%B8%B0_%EC%84%B8%EC%A0%9C_%EC%84%B8%EC%B2%99%ED%95%98%EB%8A%94_%EB%85%B8%ED%95%98%EC%9A%B0-75510)]
* 구글로 사용법을 검색한 에이아이 답변 결과입니다
One tip is, dont use soap to wash it! I made that mistake… Apparently the soap will enter the tiny holes and will come back out in cooking later..
I use baking soda to clean mine. I don’t know if it’s doing any damage, but it has worked so far. Our pot was unused for many years and rather dirty, I managed to make it look new with baking soda.
We use it for baked curry in the oven. I think it can be used the same way for bibimbap. I used to cook stews in it when I had an electric stove. It worked fine. it was just a bother to clean since I don’t want to use dishwasher soap.
Frankly.. Korean moms don’t give s… they just use it like a normal pot.
If you have an electric coil stove top, a [Heat Diffuser](https://HaroldImportSilverChromeHeatDiffuserhttps://www.lowes.com/pd/HIC-Kitchen-Harold-Import-Silver-Chrome-Heat-Diffuser/5017467553) could help.
Main safety part not mentioned enough…
It will be hot as fudge for a long time even after it’s removed from a heat source for an hour at times.
Make sure to avoid touching it with your bare hands when you are absolutely sure everything’s cooled down.
Make sure you’re not placing it on a plastic or glass without a buffer. It will melt your plastic surfaces and crack glasses. Don’t ask me how I know…
I’m sure YouTube has tons of videos on how to use it. It’s not that hard to figure out 🙄
It’s a ceramic pot. Heat it slowly. Don’t thermally shock it. Use a burner size that matches the bottom.