Le Souk Ceramique Honey Design 12-Inch cookable Tagine, Black and Whitegoodusa

I recently purchased this at a gourmet grocery store in their culinary arts section. I contacted the maker (Souk Ceramique) and received an email right away. They told me that it does not have a hole because it is a hand-thrown clay piece. The manufactured ones need holes because their tops sit on their bases tightly and the hole is necessary for steam to vent. In a hand-thrown tagine, the steam can vent around the base. Also, to season it - soak it overnight in water. Then allow it to dry, coat the inside with olive oil, and put in a cold oven. Heat the oven to 350 degrees and allow the tagine to heat with it and then leave it for an hour and a half to two hours in there. Don't put it in cold water while it is hot. Let it cool down on its own. If it isn't used often, it should be re-seasoned every few months. I've read variations on the seasoning, but that is the best that I can find for now (some said soak it for one hour in water - other sites said 4 hours). I was... Read more

This is a gorgeous product and one I was very happy to receive.

Unfortunately the base cracked the very first time I used it, even though I seasoned and used it according to the instructions.

The instructions say a diffuser is "recommended" for stovetop use. I think this should be upgraded to "required" and a diffuser sold with the tagine.

At the very least the manufacturer should mention a diffuser as a strongly recommended accessory in the description of this product here on the website. I would certainly have purchased and used one if only I had known.

This is a light weight tajine that cooks food perfectly. I use mine several times a week. Easy clean up and looks great on the kitchen counter.