What were crocks used for?

Before the advent of refrigeration, crocks were used in American kitchens to hold foodstuffs such as butter, salted meats and pickled vegetables. The crocks were invariably made of stoneware, a durable, economical ceramic that remains water-tight, even without a glaze.

Also to know is, do old crocks have lead?

My understanding is that many of the old crock manufacturers used a glaze that contains lead. And the lead supposedly can leach out into the food, especially if one uses them for brining. Brand new American made ones don't contain lead.

Also, what were stoneware jugs used for? They were used for liquor, vinegar, and other general uses. Some had wide-mouths and were used for storing fruit and tomatoes. These jugs came in three sizes, quart, half-gallon and gallon. They have a wide variety of shapes and can be found in white, brown, and brown and white.

Correspondingly, how do you identify antique crocks?

Salt glaze is the tell tale sign of a piece of antique stoneware and it is recognizable by the salty or pebbled surface on a stoneware crock. The use of salt glaze results in a rough texture on the surface of a stoneware crock. This surface helps you to identify the stoneware crock, its age, and origin.

How much are old crocks worth?

Value. These crocks are priced between $900.00 and $975.00 USD .

27 Related Question Answers Found

Are slow cookers toxic?

With a removable ceramic insert, a slow cooker goes from the table for serving. Ceramic insert means with non-stick coated insert, making the cleaning of a slow cooker a breeze. According to various ceramic manufacturers, a ceramic insert heated at high temperatures will not emit any toxic fumes or toxins.

How do you know if there is lead in your dishes?

The only way to determine if certain crockery has lead is to test it. Home test kits can tell you if the dishes have leachable lead. These tests are most useful in detecting high levels of lead.

Does Old China have lead?

Leaching lead from antique china may be toxic. This is the case with many pieces of antique and vintage china. Many of the old glazes used on antique or vintage china contain some level of lead. And those pieces of china with decorations atop the glaze rather than beneath the glaze may contain lead.

Are coffee mugs from China safe?

Though most American potteries no longer use lead in their glazes, unless you have verified with the manufacturer that your piece was made with no lead, avoid using glazed china or ceramic coffee mugs that are from unknown or unidentified sources.

Does stoneware contain lead?

Ceramic (Stoneware or Earthware)

I don't like ceramic dinnerware since ceramic can contain lead and cadmium in their glazes, clay and paint. Dinnerware with small traces of lead or cadmium is allowed to be sold in the United States. This lead or cadmium can leach when microwaving or serving acidic food in the dish.

Are old crock pots safe to use?

Slow cookers were an easy target for new regulations, which I usually support, simply because lower cooking temperatures automatically raise red flags. But the older crockpots, as long as they heated liquids to 185 degrees F within a few hours, were perfectly safe when used as directed.

What do the numbers on old crocks mean?

A number can be found on most crocks. These numbers would either be painted or stamped on, or impressed into the crock. They were used to indicate the size or volume of the crock. For example a 3 could mean that the crock holds 3 gallons, and a 5 could be 5 gallons, irrespective of the crock's overall shape or design.

How do you test for lead in ceramics?

How to Test for Lead Paint on Ceramic Clay Pots

Clean and removal all dust and dirt from the painted or glazed surface to be tested.
Activate the test swab by crushing the two marked ends of the swab stick with your fingers. Shake a few times to mix the testing agents inside.
Gently squeeze the swab so that the swab tip is moistened with the liquid testing agent.

What is an old crock?

If you describe someone as an old crock, you mean that they are old and weak. [British, informal, old-fashioned]

What is a primitive antique?

Antique Primitive Furniture. Primitive furniture, also commonly called early American country furniture, refers to handmade tables, desks, dressers, and chairs from before the era of mass production. These pieces often feature interesting carpentry techniques, such as dovetail and mortise-and-tenon joints.

How do you clean stoneware crocks?

Remove layers of dirt and grime by soaking the stoneware in a mixture of 1 cup ammonia and 2 gallons of hot water. Allow the piece to soak for 24 hours, then scrub lightly with a soft-bristled brush. Remove pencil marks or remnants of silver and other plating with metal polish or a simple pencil eraser.

How do I value my crockery?

Look for a back stamp or marker stamp.

Once you know the manufacturer, you can look up the approximate value of the piece online. The back/marker stamp is usually found on the bottom of the dinnerware. Look for a marking that is painted, impressed, or stamped on the piece.

Is all Red Wing pottery marked?

Red Wing pottery was marked at each period of its history designated by the name of the company at the time. From 1878 to 1892 pottery was marked Red Wing Stoneware Co. From 1892 to 1936 Red Wing Union Stoneware was used. The final company name was The Red Wing Pottery Co.

How do you make a salt glaze?

To achieve the glaze, you'll need to carefully add the salt to the firebox (slowly, using a steel angle, so it has enough time to vaporize before hitting the firebox floor). Some alternative methods potters use are to add sodium carbonate to water and spray it into the firebox.

What were salt glazed crocks used for?

Before the advent of refrigeration, crocks were used in American kitchens to hold foodstuffs such as butter, salted meats and pickled vegetables. The crocks were invariably made of stoneware, a durable, economical ceramic that remains water-tight, even without a glaze.

How can you tell if salt is glazed stoneware?

The salt glaze is formed by throwing salt into the kiln during the higher temperature part of the firing process.

Salt glazed stoneware is pottery with a translucent glaze which has a slightly orange-peel texture

brown using iron oxide.
blue using cobalt oxide.
or purple by using manganese oxide.

When was stoneware invented?

Stoneware originated in China as early as 1400 bce (Shang dynasty). A fine white stoneware, Yue ware, produced during the Han dynasty (206 bce–220 ce) and perfected during the Tang dynasty (618–907 ce), has an olive or brownish green feldspathic glaze and belongs to the celadon family.