Help With Clay Tortilla Warmer
By Bonnie
@yoyo1198 (3641)
United States
March 21, 2011 4:48pm CST
I received a clay (terra cotta) tortilla warmer from an ebay seller today. There were no instructions included other than the usual information on where it can and/or cannot be used. This one can be used in oven, microwave, stovetop and indicates that it can be washed in the dishwasher. From what I've been able to find on the net, which is not much, this materiel cannot be put into the dishwasher. Do any of you have any experience with this type of a pot?
Is it necessary to pre-prepare it (cure it)?
Can I use it to cook/bake other foods?
How do I use it to warm tortillas?
Preheat? If so, preheat how?
How to clean/wash?
General use and care?
I actually thought I was going to receive instructions with the warmer. It was packed in original box from Italy. I can understand how Italians wouldn't need instructions but if they're going to be sending worldwide, I would think they'd include an instruction/care booklet.
I consider myself an experienced cook but I've now come across this thing that I know nothing about. Help would be appreciated. TIA.
4 people like this
8 responses
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
21 Mar 11
Firstly my mind boggles at the Italians making a tortilla maker. That's Spanish territory. I can't help you as I have no idea what it looks like. But I would guess that if it has a heating element in it then it's a no no for the dishwasher. Did you know that you can cook fish (in foil) in a dishwasher! I have a new website: Mavisandmildred.weekly.com. Just if you want to read about my alter egos!!
2 people like this
@yoyo1198 (3641)
• United States
21 Mar 11
Hi, p1ke...It's not electric. I'd not thought about Italians not making a tortilla warmer. Guess they eat tortillas too though.
MysD might know something about that. Maybe she'll chime in here somewhere.
I cook fish in foil but in the oven. Doesn't take long. Who would want to use a dishwasher? 
Thanks for your input.
MysD might know something about that. Maybe she'll chime in here somewhere.
I cook fish in foil but in the oven. Doesn't take long. Who would want to use a dishwasher? Thanks for your input.
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
21 Mar 11
My first action would be to ask the seller as the item is no good if one does not know how to use it.
2 people like this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
21 Mar 11
Perhaps if you told her that if you could not get instructions you would have to return it and get a refund!
@GardenGerty (157562)
• United States
21 Mar 11
This strikes me as being the same as a pizza stone. I would definitely not put it in the dishwasher, and I am thinking that I would only use water on a clean soft cloth to wipe the warmer down. My pizza stone says to preheat at 450 for a while before putting the pizza on it, as it is supposed to remove the moisture and crisp up the crust. It says never to heat it above 500. I think it would be a great way to bake crispy crusted rolls. I would not cook anything with liquid in it, because the clay is designed to soak up liquids. You do not want it to be permanently flavored of some liquid or another. I would probably preheat it in the oven, put the tortillas inside, and turn the oven off and put them back in to maintain heat of the tortillas. I could be all wrong, this is just what I would do.
2 people like this
@yoyo1198 (3641)
• United States
21 Mar 11
The inside is glazed which I failed to mention. I was just wondering if maybe I could cook/bake something other than tortillas in it. You suggestion about the tortilla prep seems reasonable. Except I may put in a cold oven and heat to 250* or so. I don't use a pizza stone, just doubled or tripled heavy-duty foil. Don't even have a pizza pan. Thanks for all of your help.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157562)
• United States
22 Mar 11
The link at e how is very good and tells more about it. Since it is glazed you could probably use it to cook just about anything. Like an old fashioned bean pot.
@kenzie45230 (3560)
• United States
21 Mar 11
If I were you, I'd try to find someone who sells for Pampered Chef or one of those other home party cooking companies. They have this, I think, as one of the items they sell. If not, I would think that it would have the same instructions as some of their cooking stones.
1 person likes this
@yoyo1198 (3641)
• United States
21 Mar 11
Good idea, kenzie. I hadn't thought of that. I've never bought any of the Pampered Chef products. Most are out of my price range. If I don't find any more information than what I have, I'll just go with experimenting. The warmer is pretty fragile and I just hope I don't screw it up in some way. Thanks for your response. Hope all is going well with you.
@LadyMarissa (12148)
• United States
21 Mar 11
http://www.ehow.com/how_5745073_use-terra-cotta-tortilla-warmer.html
I've never owned one, but I found this on eHow. It says to NOT use soap to wash it & to NOT put it in the dishwasher!!! There appears to be pretty complete instructions here which is why I included the link. I hope you enjoy using your warmer & have MANY enjoyable meals with it!!!
@yoyo1198 (3641)
• United States
21 Mar 11
Hi, LadyM...That article does help with some of my questions. Thank you for your efforts. I usually buy the already made tortillas but now I'm thinking of finding some recipes to make them myself now that I've got the warmer. I can keep 'em warm from piece to piece. I use tortillas as bread in a lot of my menus. Bologna sandwiches using the tortillas are really pretty good. Thank you for your response.
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
22 Mar 11
cant you go back to ebay and ask the seller where was the instructions? as you didnt get any. you might be able to find something on a cooking site, say like mexican food. 
@marguicha (215504)
• Chile
23 Mar 11
I cure all my terracota pots. I either paint it with milk or butter and place it in the oven to warm. If it´s cured you can use it with all foods. If you use it to keep tortillas warm or to warm tortillas, I´d warm it up first. I have a small electric oven and I would never put tortillas on a microwave oven. I hope this helps.
@yoyo1198 (3641)
• United States
23 Mar 11
Hmmmm...I've never heard of curing with milk. The butter or some kind of oil, but not milk. Do you brust them all over? Inside and out? Do you cook with those type of pots often? Food taste any better? As you can tell, I'm a complete novice at this. Something new to learn in my kitchen! 
And I thought I'd done it all.
Thanks so much for your help. 
And I thought I'd done it all.
Thanks so much for your help. @yoyo1198 (3641)
• United States
26 Mar 11
Oh, thanks so much for all of this information. This will help me a lot. I'm so glad I thought to ask for help from the myLot community. My pot is still setting here in the box while I've been waiting for help. The internet gives very little about this and most of the sites are all saying about the same stuff. Now I'll have to look for some good recipes.
