Your opinion on clay teacups

[JBaymore]

Unglazed/partially glazed clay can definitely develop an unpleasant smell but I have only had this happen with the coarser Hagi, not with Tokaname or Bizen.

How about the broad generalization goes to....... Some unglazed/partially glazed clay can definitely develop an unpleasant smell but I have only had this happen with the coarser Hagi, not with Tokaname or Bizen?

There are specifiec situations that create the "smelly pot" syndrome. It is a combinationm that first starts with some porosity, and then variable usage and storage conditions that exacerbate the growth of molds and/or bacteria.

Since actual vitrified clay bodies have little to no absorbtion factor..... there is no porosity to hold moisture or harbour bacterial growth...the source for smells.

I hate to see the general impression created here that unglazed clay is a "problem" as a broad category. It is not.

best,

...............john

[Chip]

+1, rinsing or a quick soak in HOT water after use and careful/prolonged drying will certainly reduce this factor. And first sign of an odor, a good long HOT soak usually clears it up.

Generally speaking.

IMHO ...