Omo Ceramics are made (thrown, trimmed, sculpted, glazed, and fired) by hand, by one person, one at a time. We fire our ceramics to Cone 10 (~2350 degrees) in a gas reduction kiln, which qualifies them as stoneware. As such they are completely vitrified and safe for food and drink. We take the utmost care in creating and testing pieces to be durable and long-lasting, while also feeling light and easy in the hand. Below are some tips for keeping your pieces happy and intact for years to come.

General care and cleaning.
The best way we recommend caring for your dishes is to wash them in warm soapy water and dry them in a non-precarious place.

Microwave, dishwasher, and oven use.
We have many customers who report putting their ceramics in the microwave and dishware with absolutely no issues, and we do the same with our own dishes at home. Our pieces do not contain any gold or metal decorative elements that would make them unsafe for microwave use. They are also strong enough to withstand the 130-140 degree water of a dishwasher. That said, all microwaves and dishwashers are not created equal. Most likely your dishes will be fine. But we default to the warm soapy water cleaning method to save you from any heartbreak.

Generally speaking, stoneware ceramics tend to be rated oven-safe up to 400 degrees. However, cracking will occur if ceramic pieces are subjected to sudden temperature shocks or wild increases in temperature (freezing to high heat, or vice versa). We do not recommend placing ceramics directly into a very hot oven. However, customers have reported heating items slowly in the range using our ceramics, up to 425 degrees, with success. Each oven and range will be different, and so we cannot guarantee ceramic durability in the oven. Proceed with caution if you are intent on doing so, and understand that we are not liable for damage to your pieces if something happens to them in the microwave, oven, or dishwasher.

Repairing breaks.
While we stand by the craftsmanship of our pieces, it should be noted that ceramics—like most dishes—are by their nature breakable. If pieces are dropped or come into abrupt contact with another hard surface this may result in damage. We thank you for understanding that we cannot refund or replace dishes that incur damage after they’ve been opened and used.

While there are few simple or exceptional methods for ceramic repair, in some cases you can use a food safe ceramic superglue to fix superficial cracks. This repair method would be best for small chips, broken handles, or cracks that will not regularly come into contact with standing water or food (such as the upper portion of a vase, or the rim of a bowl). We don’t recommend this method for dishes (like bowls or coffee mugs) that have large cracks and will need to be thoroughly patched to continue use.

Another method to investigate, if you’re feeling adventurous, is kintsugi repair. Kintsugi is a Japanese method of repairing broken ceramics with durable fill and gold powder. You can order DIY kintsugi kits at a variety of price points, such as this one from POJ Studio.

It goes without saying that if your item arrives to you with cracks or damage from shipment, we will refund or replace it. Please see our Info + Policies section to read more.

For your consideration.
Omo Ceramics are made to be light. We try to use materials as efficiently as possible, and like the feeling of lightweight dishes and mugs for ergonomic reasons. Many of our customers are delighted when they pick up one of our pieces because of how lightweight they feel, and how comfortable they are in the hand. This also means that the walls of our pieces tend to be thinner than those of other ceramic artists. This is something to consider when ordering and caring for your pieces :)

Wood care.
All wood pieces enjoy a light refinishing now and again. Surfaces can be wiped clean with a damp cloth and/or a little Bronner’s, left to dry thoroughly, and occasionally rubbed with a food safe mineral oil of your choice. We love and recommend Spoon Butter by our friends at Valley House Woodworking. Wet wood will warp and dry out; wooden spoons, boards, and chopsticks should never be left in standing water or put in the dishwasher.