I have one large terracotta casserole dish with lid (not seen in the photo) which I bought from a small pottery on the Isola D'Elba some 15 years ago. I was given strict instructions by the owner of the pottery to be sure to immerse it in cold water for at least 24 hours before using it for the first time. I obviously asked him why, and was told that it ensured that it's earthy smell would then never penetrate any food cooked in it. I did as instructed and it has never had a strange smell when being used in the oven.
I also bought an 'Etruscan' design enamelled terracotta 'pasta set' at the same time, and never soaked this in water at the outset. I do occaisionally heat things in the microwave in the smaller dishes and a couple of them have developed cracks...
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