What kind of pot should be used for boiling Chinese herbal medicine?
When boiling Chinese herbal medicine, we generally use a clay pot as the cooking vessel. Let's find out how to choose a high-quality clay pot and what precautions to take when using and storing it.
Tools for boiling Chinese herbal medicine. What kind of pot should be used for boiling Chinese herbal medicine. The correct method for boiling Chinese herbal medicine.
Why is a clay pot a good choice for boiling Chinese herbal medicine?
When boiling Chinese herbal medicine, the choice of cooking vessel is important. Clay pots and earthen jars are preferred for decocting herbs. Enamelware and stainless steel pots are also acceptable, but it is strongly advised not to use iron or copper pots. Clay pots and earthen jars have stable chemical properties, heat evenly, and have slow heat transfer, which reduces the evaporation of water during decoction.
Stainless steel pots transfer heat too quickly, requiring frequent stirring during decoction to prevent herbs from sticking to the pot and causing scorching. Chinese medicine experts remind everyone to never use iron or copper pots for decoction. Iron and copper are reactive elements that can easily react with various chemical components in Chinese herbs, leading to toxic side effects.
Precautions when using a clay pot for decoction
It is important to note that a clay pot can crack if suddenly heated or cooled. When decocting herbs, the heat should be gradually increased, avoiding rapid heating to prevent expansion and cracking.
After decoction, do not wash the clay pot immediately with cold water. Let it cool on a dry wooden board or rack before cleaning the residue. Do not soak the oil stains on the clay pot with detergent, as it may seep into the fine pores. Instead, use leftover tea leaves to wipe it clean or soak it in rice water to remove odors, and then brush it with a brush.
How to remove the odor from a clay pot
First, clean the clay pot with water and remove any oil stains on the surface, preparing it for the next step of odor removal.
The second step is to cook rice porridge in the clay pot. Add plenty of water and two handfuls of uncooked rice (do not wash the rice, as this porridge is used to "absorb" the odor in the clay pot, not for consumption). Heat it up and boil for 20 minutes.
Keep stirring constantly to prevent sticking, and finally, clean the clay pot to remove any remaining odor.
Maintenance of decoction utensils
1. Pay attention to the instructions for using the decoction pot.
2. Pay attention to the condition of the electrical plug when using the decoction pot to ensure safety.
3. After use, clean the decoction pot to ensure cleanliness and hygiene, as it is used for medicinal purposes.
4. After use, wipe it clean to prevent bacterial growth.
These are some precautions for using decoction utensils and clay pots. Did you understand?
