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Care and Use
Every Lark piece is made of high-fired porcelain, fired hot and sealed under a glossy white glaze. That is what lets it go from oven to table to dishwasher without special treatment. This page covers what it can do, the one thing to avoid, and the questions we get asked most.
What it can handle
Oven. Safe to 450 F. Bake, roast, and reheat directly in the plate.
Microwave. Yes. No metallic decoration, so it heats evenly.
Dishwasher. Yes. Top or bottom rack, normal cycle.
Freezer and refrigerator. Yes. Make ahead dishes can be assembled, covered and chilled in the plate. See the one rule below before it goes in the oven.
Table. It is a serving piece first. Charcuterie, dips, bread, a whole side dish, a dessert. Most of our customers use it as a serving platter more than a baking dish.
Food safe. Free of lead and toxins.
The one rule: no sudden temperature swings
Porcelain does not like shock. A plate that goes from the freezer straight into a hot oven, or from the oven onto a cold wet counter, can crack. Two habits prevent it.
- Cold to hot: put the cold plate into a cold oven and let them heat up together. Add 5 to 10 minutes to your bake time.
- Hot to cold: let the plate cool on a trivet or towel before it touches cold water or a cold surface. Never run cold water into a hot plate.
What to avoid
- Direct flame. Not for the stovetop, the grill grate, or a flame broiler. The oven broiler element is fine at a distance of 6 inches or more, but watch it.
- Abrasive pads and scouring powders. They dull the glaze. Baking soda paste and a soft sponge lift baked on food.
- Stacking wet. Dry before stacking so the unglazed foot ring does not mark the plate below.
Cleaning baked on food
Fill the plate with warm water and a squirt of dish soap and let it sit 20 minutes. Most residue lifts with a soft sponge. For stubborn spots, make a paste of baking soda and water, spread it on, wait 10 minutes, and wipe.
Common questions
Can I put it under the broiler? Best to avoid it.
Can I use it on the grill? Not on the grate. It can sit on the grill's warming rack or a heat diffuser, away from open flame.
Does it stain? The glaze is non porous, so tomato sauce, turmeric and coffee wipe clean. Cutlery marks (gray lines from knives) come off with baking soda paste.
Can I cut on it? Slicing bread or cheese on it is fine. Repeated heavy chopping will leave marks in the glaze.
How big is it? A state plate measures roughly 13 x 11.75 x 1.5 inches, with each state a slightly different footprint.
How much does it hold? About the same as a 9 x 13 pan but shallower, so plan for a thinner layer and a shorter bake. Our recipes are written for it.
Is it chip resistant? It is porcelain, not stoneware, which makes it stronger and lighter than it looks. It will still chip if it hits granite or the edge of the sink, so treat it like the good dishes.
What if it arrives broken? Email hello@larkathome.com with a photo and we will make it right. See our shipping and returns policy for the details.
