There are some discussions with regards to the re-use of clay pots for cooking. There are various points and experiences with regards to this. However, on an independent study, my interest was to find what is mentioned in the scriptures. If someone finds and has references further to it, kindly let us know.
taijasAnAm abhAve tu pithare mrnmayepi vA,
nave Sucau prakUrvita pAkaM pitrarthamAdarAt (Vayu Purana)
In case of lack of utensils made of Gold, Silver or Bell metal (taijasA pAka pAtra) for cooking, then one can use new and clean clay pots for cooking.
pAkabhAnDAni sauvarNa raupya tAmrodbhavani ca
kAMsyAni mrnmayaM tu uktam navyameva maniSibhiH (Dharma Sindhu)
Here, “mrnmayam tu uktam navyameva maniSibhiH” specifies new clay pots only.
Can the NEW clay pots be reused after first use?
The definition of ‘navya’ is ‘vinUtana’ as per Vacaspatya Kosa. In other words, it must be not reused more than once in its strict sense.
In other words, it is certainly better to use the new ones every time.
However, can it be cleansed and re-used?
In Vishnu Dharmottara Purana, it is said:
“mRnmayaM bhAjanaM sarvaM punaH pAkena Sudhyati (V.D, 2.89.1)
Meaning – The Clay pots get purified by cooking again in it.
With respect to cleaning, it is said:
‘uSNAmbhasA tathA SuddhiH sasnehAnAM vinirdiSet”
To cleanse, hot water is to be used.
So, although, ideally new pots are best, re-use is possible by keep cooking it again and cleansing with hot water.
Re-use of clay pots is also widely accepted to store water or buttermilk/yogurt.
As far as the properties of NEW clay pots are concerned, we get the following reference:
tAmra pAtre pacchedannam vAtaghnam gulmashUlahrt
kincit pittakaram saukhyam yogiAm param hitam
lohapAtre pachedannam pAndu kSaya vinASanam
kAmsyapAtre pachedannam tridoshaghnam rasayanam
pachedannam kanakasya patre viSaghnamamakShaya pAnduHari
vIryapradam prANakaraM ca vrSyaM vAtadirogAn vinihanti sadyaH
rUpyapAtre pachedannam suShitalaM
mrnmaye bhAjane pakvaM shItalam pitta nASanaM
svetamrtsnamaye patre pachitam pittadAhajit
kRSNamrtsnamaye pAtre kSaya pAndu nivAraNaM
mrnmaye gauravarne ca pAchitaM ca annam uttamam
Consuming food cooked with Copper vessel rids one from VAta, Gulma (Gastritis) and Shula (Colics) diseases. However, it increases pitta. But copper vessel is said to be best for yogis. Iron vessel rids one from PAndu (anemia) and Kshaya roga (Tuberculosis). Bell metal rids one from pAndu and ksaya rogas. Gold rids one from poison, pAndu roga and Aama (acidity). Gold also increases sukra dhatu and rids one from vAta dosha. Silver rids one from Shleshma (kapha) and pitta.
Mud pots completely rids one from pitta dosha and increases kapha. If the mud pot is made of white clay, then it still increases the kapha, while if it is made up of black clay, then it rids one from pAndu and kShaya roga. Best is the mud pot made of yellow clay. (Shiva Tattva RatnAkara)
There is another interesting fact: use of donkey dung in making clay pots. Many of the potters in Maharastra, Madhya Pradesh and around, use Donkey dung in preparing the clay for making pots. However, in other regions they use cow dung, ash, etc. In other words, if we have a choice, then we can get the pots custom made from the local potter.
