Clay Pot Vs Ceramic Pot

Clay is the natural raw natural material actually used in making terra cotta and ceramic pots.

Clay pot vs ceramic pot.

Still clay has a lot of drawbacks. Clay can be thought of in terms of geological raw material which is the foundation product for the firing in the kiln which produces terra cotta and ceramics. Once heated fired to between 660 and 1470 f 350 and 800 c the clay is converted to ceramic and will never dissolve again. The commercially popular clay pot cooking sets are nowhere close to this one.

Terracotta is widely available there are a large variety of shapes and sizes to choose from and the basic unglazed clay pots are not expensive. But for some people like bonnie who s a clay pot girl their view is different. At a glance you may think a ceramic pot is simply a terracotta pot with a good paint job. All clay is a ceramic material but there are other ceramic materials as well.

However ceramic pots are typically glazed with a coat of lacquer that prevents the soil from drying out at the same speed as it would in an unglazed clay or terracotta planter. For one clay is a heavy material with very little. Advertisement this happens when water absorbed into the pot turns to ice. Newer higher grade plastic pots rival clay in terms of variety durability and appearance.

For example clay has chemically bonded water in it which will cause it to slake down disintegrate when a dried clay object is put in water. These go through a mechanized manufacturing process which necessarily uses chemicals. That should give us a clue. Though they are easier to maintain than cast iron ceramic pots can chip or break more easily.

The word terra cotta itself means baked earth in italian. Clay pots have been used for centuries to house plants. Terra cotta ceramic concrete and other moisture absorbing materials are prone to cracking when the temperature dips. The debate regarding plastic versus ceramic pots is long standing.

Each type of flower pot has advantages and disadvantages. Ceramic pots that are often curved in shape at the top make it difficult to repot or change the potting mix. But as clay is fired at high temperatures silica inclusions align and becomes glass like. That s because clay makes a great environment for plants that prefer moderate to dry soil as the porous makeup of clay allows moisture to move in and out of soil through the walls of the planter.

The versatility availability economical and reusable nature of clay pots appeal to those with tree hugging sentiments and somewhat tight with a dollar. The later is mostly made from ceramic clay a composition of stoneware porcelain or terracotta. Glazed ceramic pots tend to be heavy and are waterproof so hold moisture better.