Despite the commonality of the Ddukbaegi in Korea, and how it stands on the frontline of Korean cuisine, the world is not yet familiar with what the Ddukbaegi actually is. Maybe for this reason, it is extremely difficult to find authentic, high-quality and reliable Ddukbaegis to buy online, also there are not many sellers that explain how to care of the products. That is why, here at LaLa Swallow, we wish to be a reliable source for you to get the product and relevant information on maintenance. Here are the 3 main things to remember!

1. Be cautious when handling hot Ddukbaegis!

The Ddukbaegi takes a longer time to heat up compared to normal pans becuase they have a higher specific heat- this refers to the energy required to put an object up by 1°C. However, once the Ddukbaegi is heated, it does not cool down easily. This is because heat is trapped in the fine materials for effective cooking and constant radiation of heat even when moved to the table.

How to use

- Be aware that a heated bowl and its contents can be very hot.

- Use heat resistant gloves while handling a heated stone bowl - use extreme caution to avoid burn or injury when a bowl is heated.

- Place the heated Ddukbaegi on a heat resistant trivet to avoid damaging your dining table.

- Keep away from children’s reach.

2. Ddukbaegis are not usually washed with washing liquid or detergent.

‘Breathable‘ is a word that always follows the Ddukbaegi. This is because, although the bowl feels and looks smooth, there are countless micro-holes that make up the structure; these are why Ddukbaegis are breathable while also impermeable. These miniscule holes are made in the process which blasts 1200°C heat. This leads to all moisture evaporating, leaving micro-holes; we therefore have several guidelines that you can follow to preserve your Ddukbaegi for as long as possible.

How to wash

- Use organic substances when washing, like baking soda, flour or rice water.

- Use a soft scrub when washing.

- High quality products, including our Authentic Korean Ddukbaegi have been manufactured to be completely dishwasher safe and safe to use with washing liquid.

- Our exclusive tip for when there is left over residue stuck on the bottom is to put in water up to 70% of the bowl and put 1/3cup vinegar and boil on heat for over 10 minutes. After cooling down, wash it using soft cloth. You will find that anything stuck to the bottom will peel off!

3. Be cautious of sudden changes in temperature

All ceramic products have high resistance to heat but are weak with impacts. So be cautious of the risk of damage from impacts. Also sudden temperature changes can cause cracks in the bowl.

How to prevent the risk of damage and cracks

- Do not heat an empty bowl and do not pour in cold water when the stone bowl is hot.

- Fill the Ddukbaegis with food or liquid before heating to avoid sudden temperature change which can cause a change in the glazing colour.

- Unless, the Ddukbaegi’s manufacturer specifies differently, they are commonly compatible to use with gas stoves, ovens and microwaves.

We hope this has been a helpful summary on different tips and information on how to take care of your Ddukbaegi!

Below, we have outlined the differences that our Authentic Korean Ddukbaegis have compared to general Ddukbaegis. You can look at our Shop Collection here, and for more questions check out our other blogs and our FAQ.