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There is no doubt in my mind that bone broth you make yourself is nutritionally superior to commercial brands. If you still aren’t sure, try this easy test. Buy any of the popular brands and put a container in the refrigerator. Notice how it remains liquid and doesn’t transform into a familiar gelatinous blob like a mason jar full of homemade bone broth. Add to this the risks from toxic packaging (unless in glass), and there isn’t any contest. Broth made at home wins hands-down.
After realizing that a weekly pot of bone broth is one of the most important (and simple) tasks for keeping your family (and yourself!) healthy, the next question is this … what type of stockpot is best?
While stainless steel stockpots, crockpots or pressure cookers like Instapot might seem to be a good idea, it is really best to steer clear. The safest bone broth is actually made in clay or enamel pots (lead-free and tested for purity of course).
These materials are superior due to the high risk of carcinogenic nickel and excessive chromium leeching from the stainless steel during cooking. The dangers are particularly acute for long simmering bone broth, which is slightly acidic from the addition of small amounts of vinegar. Even quick cooking meat stock simmers for an hour or two. Now don’t worry that you need to replace all your stainless steel cookware! The risk is primarily from cooking acidic foods, not other types of dishes!
VitaClay Stockpots
These concerns led me to switch to a VitaClay stockpot/slow cooker a few years ago once I dug into the alarming research of cooking acidic foods in stainless steel.
If you make a lot of bone broth at home like I do and want to make the switch too, the next question is … what type of stockpot is optimal. Glazed stoneware or clay?
As you can see from the picture above, I have both types of stockpots on my kitchen counter. I’ve been comparing the two to try and help answer this question for myself.
Let me share what I’ve learned so it can perhaps help you sort through the options as well.
Clay Stockpot vs Stoneware Stockpots
When comparing a clay stockpot vs a stoneware stockpot from a functional standpoint, there is little difference.
Similarities
Both models accomplish all of the following very well:
- Cook in about half the time of a crockpot.
- Delayed timer so that you can soak oatmeal AND cook in one step instead of two.
- Energy saver green appliance using up to 60% less energy.
- Rice cooker (soaks AND cooks in one step using the delay timer feature).
- Makes both regular and Greek yogurt.
- Easy clean-up.
- Nontoxic, lead-free and tested for purity.
- Attractive on the kitchen counter.
DifferencesÂ
From a practical and aesthetic standpoint, here are the few differences I’ve noted.
- The clay stockpot is more fragile than the stoneware. Although I’ve had no problems with chipping, cracking, or breakage in the years I’ve used one, I can see where some people might experience problems. Stone is inherently more durable than clay. The good news is that Vitaclay does offer replacement pots if necessary if you prefer the clay model.
- The stoneware stockpot simply because it doesn’t require topping up with water. Stoneware doesn’t breathe like clay does, hence the broth doesn’t simmer down as quickly. On the other hand, if you like to make homemade bouillon cubes, reduction sauces, or homemade sweetened condensed milk, the clay stockpot would be a better choice.
- If you plan to keep the stockpot on your kitchen counter, the clay or the stoneware model might look better depending on your color scheme. My kitchen is black and white so the stoneware model is more striking.
- Slow-cooked food tastes a bit better cooked in the clay stockpot/slow cooker. This is due to the breathability of the clay. My husband doesn’t really notice a difference in taste between the two, but I think the clay model produces tastier results.
Which is Best?
In conclusion, it is ultimately up to you to decide which Vitaclay bone broth/slow cooker is best based on your intended usage pattern. The similarities and differences itemized above can hopefully prove helpful to your decision!
By the way, if you intend to try one of these wonderful appliances for yourself, use coupon code WISE25 to get 10% off the model of your choice.
Hi Sarah,
Does Vitaclay still make the stoneware one that you mention in your blog?
The link you provided for the stoneware one takes me to the clay one and I don’t see a stoneware one on their website or on Amazon.
I would like one for making my bone broth.
Thanks for your great blogs!
Shirley
p.s.I get your newsletters already.
It seems that the stoneware isn’t being made anymore. The clay one is awesome though! I have both in my kitchen 🙂
Thank you for your article. Do you know of Vitaclay has discontinued making the stoneware version? I only see clay pots available for sale.
Normally I use my Rival Stoneware crockpot is this safe to use for bone broth? Thanks so much.
Hi Sarah – my article is not click bait in the least. The fact of the matter (and the main concern) is that Vitaclay is engaging in False advertising. They advertise their product as Lead-free and the inner metal part of the main component is covered with a very high lead enamel. Not clickbait. Facts, reseaarch – explanations to help people understand how companies are misleading bloggers and customers with false advertising.
fyi … Vita-Clay states the pot is tested to be lead-free. The inner metal part never touches the food. The food goes in the pot (of course!) My top quality, very expensive stainless steel cookware has an aluminum core which helps to conduct the heat most evenly … do I care? No, because it never touches the food!
Let’s use some common sense here and not run around like Chicken Little screaming that the sky is falling and point the finger at reputable, small, family-owned companies making a good product when there are many mega-corporations that are truly falsely advertising their products and duping people with unsafe claims.
If there was a better product, I would be using it! I am not married to any product or brand … I use best of breed that produces the safest, best food for my family, and Vita-Clay is it in the slow cooker department. If you choose something else, that’s great, but don’t denigrate a good product for something that isn’t even an issue in reality.
She also raised this concern: “This component of the appliance does not touch the food. HOWEVER I do have concern for the leaded enamel coating being scratched as the interior red clay vessel is inserted and removed with each use. I would love to see what this interior looks like after years of use. [Please share a picture if you have one you have been using for many years.]
Additional test for this component came in within the same range, between 62,600 and 81,100 ppm Lead.”
What do you think about the possibility of the lead leaching from the lining onto the clay pot or even if flaking off like lead paint?
There is no concern on my part … the pot is not enameled with a “lead coating”. This woman has basically made a mountain out of a molehill to confuse people and get clicks.
My pot’s interior looks brand new after years of use by the way.
Hi, I just purchased the Vitaclay, and unfortunately came across this tamararubin.com/yet-another-lead-free-product-tests-positive-for-lead-vitaclay-chef-slow-cooker-70400-ppm-lead
It has gotten me quite worried, and I would like to hear your thoughts please
It appears that this article is click bait. Here’s her conclusion at the end! I had to laugh quite frankly. LOL
“the level of Lead I found (using XRF technology) in the clay pot is actually not too concerning — IT IS ACTUALLY WITHIN ALL SAFE LEVELS (emphasis mine) by all current standards (European and American).”
That article is a classic example of crying wolf.
Hi! I have a Rival brand crock pot. It states that is is made of stoneware. Do you think I can use this or should I buy a vita clay? Thanks!
Stoneware should be fine!
HI Sarah, Thanks so much. I love the idea of simmering my broth in the clay pot. However, I often leave my cooker on when at work or when asleep, so this helps me choose.
Can you add apple cider vinegar safely to the either pot?
blessings to you and your family
Yes, ACV can be safely used with either model.
How is the VitaClay stoneware different from a Crockpot slow cooker which is also stoneware ?
Hi Sarah – I have a Vitaclay 6 quart clay pot and i love it but I am unable to get it to simmer broth. The “slow cook” setting gives me almost a continuous rolling boil – is this what you are referring to when you say you have to top off the clay pot with water? When I try the “warm” setting, i get no simmer at all. Any tips? Thanks!
What I do is cook for a few hours on slow and then cook on warm for a few hours and alternate twice or three times (depending on the type of bones). I get a beautiful gelatinous broth everytime.
I just ordered the stoneware one. Thank you for this article–you saved me from having to spend hours of time on research!