Sassafras Superstone Stoneware La Cloche Bread Baker, Unglazed, Baking Stone for Bread, Capacity 5QT 12”D x7”H with handle, Withstands Temperature 500-2100 Fahrenheit

I made the most beautiful loaf of sourdough in this lovely stoneware!! I’ve made two so far. They hold up well, even under 500°.

My original review is below. I just wanted to give you an update: I'm still using this pan and cloche 6 1/2 years later and I still love it! It gives crisp, artisinal crusts and boosts the rise of your loaf (see how near the bottom of my review) and I get terrific compliments. This is truly a product that worth the expense if you enjoy excellent breads.You will definitely see improvement in your homemade breads when you use a cloche. Basically, it is an unglazed clay base and domed lid that create the effects of a baker's oven within your own oven. The high heat and steam in a professional oven are not found in a home oven but, with the cloche, the results are remarkably similar.Contrary to many reviews, I was delighted and surprised to find that my La Cloche arrived in perfect condition. Packing it in thick cardboard and big plastic bubbles resolved the company's breakage problem.La Cloche's Pros* Excellent quality unglazed ceramic baking top and bottom* Heavy enough to retain heat* Performs as stated in the advertising* Creates a hot and humid environment making bread rise higher* Easy to maintainLa Cloche's Cons* NoneThe following are some suggestions to improve your oven's environment using this product:* Place a thin layer of coarsely ground corn meal on the interior base of the cloche. The will prevent the bread from sticking to the surface* Use parchment paper instead of the corn meal, if desired* Soak the top (only) of the cloche in water for 30 minutes prior to placing your bread dough in the oven. (Because the unglazed ceramic top will absorb some of the water, this will give you the benefits of a steam oven without the costs of a new one.)* Put your dough on the base and place the water-soaked top over it.* DO NOT PRE-HEAT your oven (Yes, read this correctly!). Turn the cold oven to 450° and set the timer for about 40-45 minutes for a 20-24 oz. loaf.* After the 40-45 minutes, remove BOTH the top and bottom of the cloche set from the oven.* Return the bread to the oven, placing it directly on the metal shelf. (Do not use a baking sheet.) The will allow you to bake artisanal breads with a crackling crust. The interior texture (crumb) will be moist and chewy.I have used this method for: San Francisco Sourdough bread (see my review of San Francisco Sourdough Starter); whole wheat bread; artisanal white bread; cheese bread; herbed bread; and both seeded and unseeded rye breads. I brought a basket of breads to a Superbowl party and they were a big hit--so much so that, two families asked for instructions and will begin baking breads for themselves.

OMG this makes a huge difference in baking.I’ve always baked with a baking stone and water to get a good crust. But this does so much better a job. Perfect for round and rough loafs.It picks up color from the oil when baking but I assume it will eventually develop a good patina. And who cares? It’s for baking not looks.

My husband took up artisinal baking when he retired a decade ago . We had one of these that lasted for that decade and then the base cracked. I ordered another, and the base cracked within four months. When I asked the seller about either buying just the base or was there a warranty, they asked me to send photos, agreed four months was not reasonable , and promptly offered to send us a new unit. That arrived quickly and is baking lovely sourdough. So, great product and wonderful seller.

My friend has one of these, and it does a great job of making wonderful, crusty bread, so I thought I'd get one also. My problem isn't with the product itself, it's with the packaging. I did read the reviews before I ordered and saw that other people complained about this, so I mistakenly assumed that the issue had been addressed by now and resolved. Wrong. The first one I ordered arrived with the bottom part smashed to bits. So I ordered a replacement, which just got here today--and the bottom part is smashed to bits.I'm going to try once more and then give up. The way these things are packed, it's a miracle any of them arrive unbroken. You can't put two pieces of unglazed pottery touching each other in a cardboard box with no insulating material and not expect at least one of the pieces to break the first time it's shaken a little. How does Sassafras ever make any money on a product they have to keep replacing? I bought the long version of this from a seller on eBay, and it was well packed and arrived in perfect condition. If a private person can ship something so it doesn't break, why can't the people who actually make the item?!Five stars for the Cloche--zero stars for the idiotic packing.