Product Review: Emile Henry Ceramics

We placed our stamp of approval on Emile Henry Ceramics, almost as soon as we received the box.  And for a limited time get 30% off of the retail price using PromoCode EH30%.

Emile Henry is located in the Burgundy town of Marcigny, France.  Each piece of Emile Henry has been designed for ultimate functionality as well as beauty.  Their intent is to make bread production and baked goods in the home as close to perfect as possible.  We've focused our attention on the bread bakers and the pie dishes.

Some pieces, such as the Bread Cloche, are designed to keep steam enclosed. I've always been impressed by the perfect crusts and rapid rise created by the first 10 minutes of an auto injection steam oven.  But unless you are baking in a commercial setting, you likely don't have access to injection steam ovens.  The ceramic Bread Cloche with its bell shaped cover allows you to proof your bread directly inside the bread cloche. The lid also traps steam from the baking bread to create an environment similar to a steam-injected oven. The steam gives the bread a crunchy, yet chewy crust.

Other pieces such as Emile Henry's Bread Loaf Baker, allows you to bake all kinds of home-made breads (for sandwiches, gluten-free, rye bread…), with a crispy crust and soft inside.  The refractory ceramic and domed lid create the right level of humidity during cooking to get a perfect loaf.  The holes in the base and lid help the dough to rise and create a dry, crispy crust.  The ridges on the bottom prevent the dough from sticking.  The handles on the lid make it easy to manipulate.  Every detail has been considered for beauty and design.

The same is true for the Baguette Baker and the Brioche.  Each are equally well designed for the prefect loaf every time, no matter which type of bread you are trying to bake.

The Brioche dish (pronounced brie-osh), is designed to bake an impressive puffed brioche shaped bread, a rich, buttery yeast bread beloved in France, and elsewhere, since the 19th century.  (Want to learn more about brioche recipes?  We are hosting a class this month!)

Like all Emile Henry products, the bread pieces are made of all natural materials and are backed by a ten-year warranty, which is not offered by any other ceramic manufacturers in the market place today.  We believe, if you are going to invest in bread making ceramics, you should invest in the best!

Pieces have been produced from Emile Henry since 1850 from high fired Burgundy clay. The natural clay is unsurpassed for conducting and retaining heat. Emile Henry's Oven Ceramic is made with an exclusive process to produce strong and durable ceramic bakeware and tableware for everyday use.  This particular clay is also shock resistant, meaning less risk of chips or cracks with every day use.

We also love the multifunctionality of pieces.  Rectangular pizza stone?  It doubles as barbecue stone and baking stone. The Rectangular Pizza, Grilling, and Baking Stone can withstand high oven temperatures. The glaze is micro-crazed, which contributes to crispy, well-baked dishes. (The Rectangular Pizza, Grilling, and Baking Stone like most ceramic pieces, is not recommended for use on the stovetop and should only be placed under the broiler for very short periods of time.) You can cut directly on the glazed grilling, baking and pizza stone without damaging or scratching the surface. And it's easy to clean with soap and water and is dishwasher safe.  Cloche?  It's not just for loaves.  Bake the perfect dozen...dozen yeast rolls that is, or cinnamon rolls.  We can't wait to see how you use your Emile Henry Pieces.  

Be sure to pick up the accessories too, oil creut, ramekins, utinisil/ice pails.

Other bonus features?

• Pieces are Oven, Freezer, and Microwave safe
• Temperature change compatible - take from Freezer to Oven safely without cracking.  (Avoid taking items directly from oven to a cold or wet surface to prevent thermal shock.)
• The ceramic type allows it to evenly and slowly come to temperature, as well as maintain heat longer.
• Easy to clean and dishwasher safe.
• 
• Made in France 
• 10 year guarantee

Each item comes with downloadable recipes and additional information.  And Emile Henry wants you to know the best procedures and tips for caring for your beautiful ceramics.  

Need pie recipes?  Check out their catalog here: https://www.emilehenryusa.com/recipe/Recipes.html

Care and Use Information straight from their website:

Oven Ceramic bakeware and tableware - Use & Care Guidelines

Cooking a Roast

When you cook a leg of lamb or a roast, always keep a little liquid or sauce in the bottom of the dish. Avoid, however, adding cold water to your hot dish - this thermal shock could damage the pan. Instead, add hot water. Never place your dish directly over open flames or on electric inductions rings without using a diffuser.

Cooking chicken

Great chicken can be grilled in the Emile Henry roasting or casserole dishes, keeping the meat moist and allowing the spices to be absorbed.

Browning

Emile Henry dishes can go under the broiler (but not too close) for short periods of time, as long as the dish is 3/4 full. You can also bake hot desserts directly in the individual pie dish and French onion soup in the soup bowls.

Microwave Ovens

All Emile Henry dishes can be used in the microwave oven. While cooking, the food inside can heat the dish as much as 50 degrees Celsius/ 125 degrees Fahrenheit. It is advisable to use an oven mitt to take your dish out of the oven.

From Oven to Freezer

Emile Henry dishes can be taken directly from the freezer to a heated oven. This is wonderful for reheating frozen left-overs.

Crusty Pastry

Preheat pastries for five minutes prior to adding filling. This will ensure that your pastry is nice and crusty.

Cooking times

Food cooked in clay dishes takes longer to heat than food cooked in metal ones due to differences in heat diffusion-- usually around ten minutes longer. So, when cooking with Emile Henry, please be sure to check that your dish is completely cooked before removing it from the oven. You can check to see if baked goods are done by inserting a knife into the dish, if the knife comes out clean and dry, then your cake or pie is done. Once on the table, your dish will retain its heat and thus keep your dish warm for a longer period of time.

Should you grease your Emile Henry dish before pouring in the mixture?

You don't have to grease Emile Henry dishes because the smooth glaze prevents sticking. The wavy edge on many of our dishes also makes it easier to turn out dishes because the unique design allows air to circulate. Once the dish is inverted, your dish should slide out easily.

Easy to Clean

Emile Henry dishes are dishwasher-safe. Tough, burnt-on food can be removed by allowing the dish to soak for 20 minutes prior to cleaning.

Freezer

Put an Emile Henry plate and pasta bowl in the freezer. When you take them out, you'll have an excellent butter bell which will keep your butter, fruit, and other foods cool while dining outside. The Emile Henry utensil jar will also keep wine chilled. Emile Henry is known for keeping things warm, but the clay also keeps food cool when it's been refrigerated.

Some precautions

Emile Henry dishes are designed to resist oven heat up to 250 degrees Celsius / 480 degrees Fahrenheit; they are not intended to be used over direct flame or hot plates. Do not place your hot dish on a cold or wet surface.

Learn more at www.emilehenryusa.com.

We are very impressed, and we expect that you will be also.

Happy Baking!