Customer Reviews

Schlemmertopf Classic Glazed Clay Cooker, Large

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I bought a large Schlemmertopf (the original kind, made in Germany--I believe some of the newer ones are made in Mexico) at a garage sale with no documentation, so I needed to do a little research on how to use it. Found out I needed to soak the lid for about 15 minutes before using it, and that it must always be put in a cold oven when you start cooking the food in it.

I started experimenting with putting various kinds of meat, chicken & fish in it, with lots of vegetables and light sauces and fresh herbs. Everything I have ever cooked in it turned out moist, flavorful, and big-time delicious. I now always think of using the Schlemmertopf pot first when I'm making a dinner from scratch. It holds moisture in, and the flavors in the pot get blended and the herb flavors infuse everything in the pot. Now, I wouldn't want to be without one.

Amazon carries some useful cookbooks about cooking in clay pots, and I recommend getting at least one of them as a guide. But for the most part now that I have some experience using it, I just make the recipes up using whatever meat, veggies and herbs I have in the house and can always feel confident that the food will come out of the Schlemmertopf tasting great. It's also a very healthful way to cook because you don't have to add any oil to the Schlemmertopf. It's an absolute kitchen necessity for me now.

We cook everything in there! It's so easy to prepare, the food tastes outstanding, & it's so easy to clean! Great for roasts, vegetables, & grains! No more scouring the oven! No lead, aluminum, or microwave radiation (pending you don't put it in the microwave)! We also have a small Rommertopf & a medium-sized #843 Schelmmertopf & love them all!

We've had our #842 for almost a year - got it last year after turkey season. We just cooked a 14-lb turkey in it & it did fantastic! It was a little big & took 3 1/2 hours to cook (maybe shorter if I hadn't checked it hourly), but overall it did well, tasty! Cooking greens in it is so simple & great, too!

We highly recommend the #842 for it's versatility & ease of use!

I hate when people give a bad rating to a product without thoroughly reading the instructions. In this case, a reviewer wrote that the lid is not "tight-fitting." Having read the manual, it clearly states, "Note that the lid is not completely tight fitting. This allows any excess steam to escape, adjusting the pressure within the pot and facilitating browning of foods." The manual also illustrates why their glazed bottom is a better choice vs. a non-glazed bottom (e.g. Romertopf): "It is much more sanitary than an unglazed utensil, as food particles, flavors and odors are not absorbed into the pot. It is easy to clean and there is no bacteria build up, no worry about mold, no staining or problems with food sticking."
Also included in this wonderful little manual are several recipes for meat, poultry, seafood, vegetables and desserts. It is a wonderful product and with simple proper care, can be enjoyed for years.

Every type of meat comes out succulent & juicy. Turkeys are great , but steak tips are to die for!

Just tried this last night for the first time and LOVED it. The results are exactly like what you get with a crock pot, but much faster. I ordered the large size, not expecting it to be quite so LARGE. I wanted to be able to throw a chicken in it with room for some vegetables, this one is bigger than I needed, but not so big that I'm going to bother returning it.

if you love roasting things and want to eat healthier, buy this thing. it's amazing. just put whatever meat you want in there (beef! pork! fish! chicken! your teenage son - just kidding... ), add a few seasoning, rub with butter, add a little bit of stock, and some roasting veggies.. close the lid, put in oven, turn it on... wait.. and voila! healthy but delicious meal is served. fantastic. your meat will turn out so tender that you won't even remember how you ever managed to cook without it.

although you can't clean it using soap it's quite easy to clean. just soak it in warm water for a few minutes, and scrub with soft sponge.. that's it.

Our Christmas dinner was prepared in this gift I gave to my husband.
He is from Berlin and grew up with meals prepared in clay cooking pots.
We covered the bottom of the cooker with sweet potatoes, potatoes, onions, carrots and celery; then we used rock salt to scrub inside and out of a fresh chicken; then into the oven it went with no further ado.
About an hour and a half later we removed the pot and enjoyed an
absolutely delicious meal.
The pot was easy and quick to clean. All of that wonderful food
so easy. We are both very happy with the Schlemmertopf Large Clay Cooker.

I have owned a LARGE Schlemmertopf Original for years. I was devastated when it broke so I ordered a new one...or what I thought was the Large. What I got was the Turkey. When I contacted the company they said they sent the large yet the packing slip says "Turkey". The book that came with it and the box said what I got was the Turkey size which is much taller than the original large.

TheI called the manufacturer and was told they discontinued the large and now have only the Turkey which is now considered their large but the ad listing this item stated "large", not "Turkey".

Had I known I was getting the Turkey (which will only accomodate a small 14 lb turkey) I probably would not have ordered it. The advertising is misleading as is the material sent with the clay cooker. If it's a Turkey size, call it a Turkey size, don't just lead people to think they are getting the "large" which is now discontinued.

While I loved my LARGE Schlemmertopf, the turkey size is not what I expected or wanted but not worth the hassles to return it or the cost to ship it.

Be sure you really want a Turkey clay baker when ordering this and understand that it will not accomodate a turkey larger than 14 lbs!!!!

I would like to have know the life span for this item. The bottom of this cooker has cracked after being used three times. The whole end is cracked. I followed all safety instructions. How about a fix? Cooks great. For cooking I give it five stars.

Was horrified to discover the pot split in half 2 hours into the 3.5 hours needed for cooking my New Year's eve cassoulet. This was a total disaster, dumping liquid into the bottom of the stove (where the gas burners are), which dripped through into holes in the back of the kitchen island. It took me hours to clean this up.....not to mention the ruining of a New Year's eve feast. Don't risk cooking in one of these if you value your oven! I have a photo of it broken in half in the oven, but am unable to attach a photo to this review.