FAQ

  • Is the product dishwasher, microwave, and oven safe?
  • Is it safe to put the product in the freezer?
  • Does your ware show knife marks?
  • Safe Use Guidelines for Ceramic Cookware
  • How do I place an order?
  • How much is shipping?
  • What countries do you ship to?
  • What quantities can I purchase?
  • When will I get my pottery?
  • What happens if pieces break in transit?
  • Can I alter my order?
  • Can I return or exchange an item?
  • Are Temuka Pottery glazes safe? Yes they are.
  • Do you sell gift vouchers?
  • Lead and Cadmium in Temuka Pottery
  • Why is there variation from piece to piece?

Product Care

  • Is the product dishwasher, microwave, and oven safe?
  • Is it safe to put the product in the freezer?
  • Does your ware show knife marks?
  • Safe Use Guidelines for Ceramic Cookware

Is the product dishwasher, microwave, and oven safe?

Follow these guidelines to get the best service from your pottery.

 

Dishwasher
Our pottery is safe to use in domestic and commercial dishwashers.

 

Microwave

Temuka Pottery is not recommended for use in a microwave oven. Whilst the ware is a great performer in the rugged hospitality environment, the lush, thick and multi-layered glazes create heat-shock risks in a microwave oven.

 

Cooking
Our tableware pieces are not intended for use as cooking vessels. Pottery should never be exposed to heating from only one side, e.g. hob, BBQ, grill or flame. Please avoid placing cold items in hot dishes and never transfer pieces from the freezer to an oven or microwave. Very hot pieces should not be placed on cold surfaces or into cold water. Baking dishes should be filled when placed into a cool oven. Do not use them as roasting dishes – they will fail.

Is it safe to put the product in the freezer?

While we don’t make storage vessels, it is safe to put our pottery in the freezer but this item should never go straight into an oven or microwave until it has warmed to room temperature. Pottery should never be exposed to sudden changes in temperature as this may cause the piece to crack.

Does your ware show knife marks?

Some matte glazes may be prone to cutlery marking which is usually removable with products like Barkeeper’s Friend. Coloured glaze shows scratching more readily and reasonable care should be taken when stacking ware.

Safe Use Guidelines for Ceramic Cookware

Temuka ceramic bakeware is crafted for everyday oven use and is both beautiful and functional. To ensure long life and safe performance, please follow these usage recommendations:


✅ Safe for:

  • Baking dishes such as lasagne, cottage pie, gratins, cobblers, and similar meals where the food fills the dish and heats evenly.
  • Oven temperatures up to 250°C (480°F) when used correctly.
  •  Reheating food in a conventional oven.

 ⚠️ Avoid:

  • Placing an empty dish into a hot oven.
  • Exposing the dish to sudden, extreme temperature changes (e.g., from fridge to oven, or oven to cold surface).
  • Using on stovetops, under grills, or in microwave ovens. Roasting large cuts of meat or dry vegetables directly.

🔥Why roasting requires care:
Roasting often involves high heat and uneven distribution of food (e.g., a few large pieces of meat or veg). This can create hot spots, causing thermal stress in the ceramic. By contrast, baking meals that fill the dish allows heat to distribute evenly, reducing risk of cracking.

🍽️ Cleaning & Storage:

  • Allow the dish to cool before washing.
  • Hand wash recommended, though some pieces are dishwasher safe. 
  • Avoid stacking heavy items inside without protection.

Orders + Shipping

  • How do I place an order?
  • How much is shipping?
  • What countries do you ship to?
  • What quantities can I purchase?
  • When will I get my pottery?
  • What happens if pieces break in transit?
  • Can I alter my order?

How do I place an order?

Our online store has our full collection. All purchases are to be made here.

How much is shipping?

For shipping throughout New Zealand we have a flat rate of $9.90. We do not ship outside of New Zealand for orders less than pallet sized.

What countries do you ship to?

Our shipping calculator will only quote for postage to New Zealand addresses, we are unable to ship elsewhere.

What quantities can I purchase?

All our pottery which is classified as dinnerware can be purchased in singles, allowing you to curate your own dinner set. Our accessories which are supplementary to our dinnerware can also be purchased individually. We also offer bundles from time to time which are also perfect for gifting and entertaining.  

When will I get my pottery?

We generally hold stock of all products available to purchase on our website. If we do not hold a particular item, we will be in touch to discuss lead time with you. 

What happens if pieces break in transit?

If parcels are received damaged or damage is suspected, please either unpack this in the presence of the carrier or sign as ‘packaging damaged, received subject to inspection’ or something similar. Please let us know as soon as possible so we can make contact with the carrier. We’ll either refund you or replace these items free of charge.

Can I alter my order?

We aim to despatch orders within 1-2 business days. If you need to amend your order, please contact us as early as possible and we will make adjustments as requested. If your order has already been processed and shipped, we can no longer make changes. 

Returns

  • Can I return or exchange an item?

Can I return or exchange an item?

We will only accept returned items if your pottery arrives damaged or is defective. We are unable to exchange pieces or accept returns in other circumstances, therefore please make your selections carefully as purchases are deemed final.

Miscellaneous

  • Are Temuka Pottery glazes safe? Yes they are.
  • Do you sell gift vouchers?
  • Lead and Cadmium in Temuka Pottery
  • Why is there variation from piece to piece?

Are Temuka Pottery glazes safe? Yes they are.

Temuka pottery does not use any leaded glazes.

However, Temuka Pottery uses Cadmium Red pigments to produce red glazes. These pigments are specifically engineered to be safe and the resulting red glazes comply with standards for cadmium release.

Do you sell gift vouchers?

Yes, we do. These are issued electronically by email and each contains a unique reference number. Our gift vouchers are ideal if you’re not sure what to get that special person in your life. Simply buy a gift voucher instead for the value of $50, $100, $150 & $200

Purchase your gift voucher here.

Lead and Cadmium in Temuka Pottery

Temuka Pottery does not use any leaded glazes. Although cadmium can be used safely in glazes we do not currently produce any red-glazed ranges using cadmium.

Why is there variation from piece to piece?

It’s the nature of hand-crafted pottery that spontaneous variations will exist between pieces. Each piece is individually hand glazed in our NZ studio, and then fired in the kiln. We love the fact that no two pieces are the same and we’d encourage you to embrace the variation as well.