Magnifique Claypot Slow Cooker Review: One Year Later!

Curious about a healthier slow cooking alternative?

After 2 years of using this appliance regularly, I’m sharing all the details, settings, and whether or not I think it’s a healthier option for your kitchen 👩🏻‍🍳

When my slow cooker broke a couple of years ago, I assumed I'd simply replace it. But as I started researching new models, I kept coming across concerns about heavy metals and nonstick coatings in some slow cookers. Instead of buying another one, I skipped it altogether and went back to cooking soups, stews, and shredded chicken in a Dutch oven on the stove.

As much as I loved using my Dutch oven, I missed the convenience of a true "set it and forget it" appliance—especially with busy weekdays and school starting for our family. So when Magnifique reached out and offered to send me their Claypot Oven to review, I had plenty of questions before agreeing. I wanted to know about the materials, third-party safety testing, and whether it would genuinely fit the needs of a health-conscious family like mine.

After using it regularly in my own kitchen, I can confidently say it's become one of my favorite countertop appliances. It replaced everything I was looking for in a slow cooker while also giving me the ability to sauté, cook rice, and prepare one-pot meals much faster than I expected. I was equally impressed by Magnifique's transparency. They quickly provided third-party testing showing the clay pot had been tested for heavy metals when I asked.

In this review, I'll share my honest experience after months of use, what I love, a few things to keep in mind, and whether I think the Magnifique Claypot Oven is worth the investment.

TLDR: Kaelyn’s Quick Review

If you're looking for a versatile, PFAS-free alternative to a traditional slow cooker, I think it's absolutely worth considering.

Magnifique Clay Pot is Best For:

• You’re replacing an old Crock-Pot

• You’re trying to reduce your exposure to PFAs and nonstick coating

• You value versatile appliances

• You appreciate aesthetically pleasing cookware

Skip if:

• You mainly pressure cook

• You’re on a tight budget for a slow cooker

After using the slow cooker for over a year, I still regularly use it and recommend it as a healthier alternative!

If you decide it's a good fit for your family, you can save 10% with code KAELYN10.

Table of Contents

• Magnifique Clay Pot Quick Specs

• Magnifique Pros + Cons

• Is the Claypot Worth is?

• What makes it different?

• Is the Magnifique Claypot Actually Non-Toxic?

• Magnifique vs Traditional Claypot

• What is Kaolin Clay (and is it safe for cooking)?

• My Experience (One Year Later)

• FAQ

Magnifique Claypot Oven Quick Specs

Magnifique Claypot Pros + Cons

I have officially used every single feature that the Magnifique Claypot Multi-cooker offers. So I feel confident giving a comprehensive pros and cons list! Here are some of my favorite features… and those that aren’t my fave…

Magnifique Claypot Pros:

• Beautiful enough to leave on the counter (I love all the available colors! Think muted, earthy tones)

• Excellent heat retention

• Even heating and cooking throughout (no cold spots!)

• Natural clay cooking surface

• Multipurpose appliance

• Easy cleanup

Magnifique Claypot Cons:

• More expensive than a conventional crock pot

• Slight learning curve for rice ratios

• Smaller recipe library than some other brands (but as the brand continues to grow, I anticipate this area of the company growing more too)

Is the Magnifique Claypot Worth it?

After using the Magnifique Claypot regularly in my own kitchen, I can confidently say yes! It has been worth the investment for our family.

I originally wanted a healthier alternative to a traditional slow cooker, but I ended up using the Claypot for much more than that. In addition to slow cooking, I've used it to sauté vegetables, cook rice, braise meats, and prepare one-pot meals, making it one of the most versatile appliances on my countertop.

What surprised me most was how quickly it cooked. Compared to my previous slow cooker, meals reached temperature faster while still producing tender meats and flavorful soups and stews. The ability to brown ingredients directly in the same pot before slow cooking also saves dishes and adds flavor without requiring a separate skillet. (all the busy parents say thank youu 👏)

Of course, no appliance is perfect. The Magnifique costs more than a basic Crock-Pot, so it may not make sense if you're simply looking for the least expensive slow cooker. But if you're trying to reduce nonstick cookware, value versatile appliances, and appreciate thoughtful design, I think it's a worthwhile upgrade.

I especially recommend it for families looking for:

• A PFAS-free slow cooker alternative

• A multi-cooker that can replace several countertop appliances

• A beautiful appliance that's attractive enough to leave on the counter

• A healthier cooking option made from natural materials

What makes the Magnifique Claypot different?

At first glance, the Magnifique Claypot looks like another multi-cooker. After using it, I realized it's designed quite differently from most slow cookers on the market.

The biggest difference is the cooking vessel itself. Instead of an aluminum insert with a ceramic or nonstick coating, the Magnifique pot is made from high-fired kaolin clay. According to the company, the clay pot is made from 100% kaolin clay and glaze that have been third-party tested for heavy metals and PFAS.

The second difference is its versatility. Rather than functioning only as a slow cooker, the Magnifique combines multiple cooking modes into one appliance, including:

• Slow Cook

• Sear & Sauté

• Braise

• White Rice

• Brown Rice

• Pasta

• Oats

• Keep Warm

One feature I didn't realize I would appreciate so much is being able to sauté onions, garlic, or meat directly in the same pot before switching to slow cook. It eliminates an extra pan and makes cleanup much easier.

Also, I love that you can use the clay cooking insert in the oven on it’s own! It makes it so versatile, and I love that I can use it as a casserole dish too. (I’ve even made sourdough boules in it!!)

Finally, I simply enjoy cooking with it. The clay pot transitions beautifully from the countertop to the dinner table, making it feel more like cookware than another bulky kitchen appliance.

Is the Magnifique Claypot actually non-toxic?

Based on everything I've researched, the Magnifique Claypot appears to be one of the better options available if you're looking for a slow cooker made without traditional nonstick coatings. As a health-conscious mom, it is something I am very confident and comfortable using to cook my family’s meals.

The cooking vessel is made from high-fired kaolin clay rather than aluminum with a ceramic or PTFE-based coating. Magnifique also states that the clay pot and glaze have been independently tested for lead, cadmium, PFAS, and other heavy metals. When I asked the company for their testing documentation before agreeing to review the product, they promptly provided a copy of their third-party lab results, which I appreciated.

That said, I also think it's important to have realistic expectations. While the food-contact surface is made from clay, the appliance still contains electronic components, wiring, and plastic in the exterior base (just like virtually every electric slow cooker). Those materials never come into contact with your food, but I don't think it's accurate to call the entire appliance "100% plastic-free."

For me, that's an important distinction.

If your primary goal is reducing potential exposure to nonstick coatings or questionable food-contact materials, I believe the Magnifique is a significant step in the right direction. As always, I encourage readers to review available testing information and decide what aligns best with their family's priorities.

Magnifique vs Traditional Crock-Pot

For someone who only wants an inexpensive appliance to make chili a few times each winter, a traditional Crock-Pot is still a perfectly reasonable choice. We are all about an 80/20 approach to wellness over here!

However, if you cook several times each week and want one appliance that can sauté, braise, cook grains, and slow cook, the Magnifique offers considerably more flexibility.

Personally, I also noticed that meals cooked more quickly than I expected (thanks to the heat retention of kaolin clay). That combination of versatility, convenience, and thoughtful materials is ultimately what convinced me to keep reaching for the Magnifique.

What is kaolin clay, and is it even safe for cooking?

I'll be honest.. before being in contact with this company, I had no idea what kaolin clay was. I had heard about clay for face masks and armpit detoxes, but never for cooking. So, being the kinda crunchy health enthusiast I am, I was immediately intrigued and got to researching.

Turns out, kaolin clay is a naturally occurring soft white clay that has been used for centuries in everything from fine porcelain to skincare. It’s primarily composed of the mineral kaolinite, a gentle yet durable material known for its neutral pH, non-toxicity, and heat-resistant properties. While kaolin is most famous for its role in pottery and cosmetics, its unique qualities make it an unexpectedly perfect choice for slow cookers too!

Health Benefits and Unique Properties of Kaolin Clay

1. Naturally Non-Toxic & Inert
One of the biggest health benefits of kaolin clay is that it’s chemically inert. This means it doesn’t leach harmful chemicals or react with acidic or alkaline foods, unlike some metal or coated cookware. When used in a slow cooker, kaolin clay helps ensure that your food stays pure and free from contaminants like lead, cadmium, or PFAS. This was my big concern with heavy metals and leaching from conventional slow cookers. 

This is also why I so appreciate brand transparency and their sharing third-party testing results to confirm the quality of appliances we invest in!

2. Heat Retention & Even Cooking
Kaolin clay retains and distributes heat evenly, making it ideal for slow cooking. The result? Tender, flavorful meals cooked gently over time without hotspots that can burn or dry out food. This makes a kaolin clay slow cooker especially suited for soups, stews, and braised dishes where depth of flavor and moisture matter. 

On their site, they state:

"The innate self-insulating properties of our unique Kaolin Claypot, Lid, and Kaolin Glaze composition allow for consistent, even heating and a drastically longer heat retention rate, perfect for cooking meals 4X faster and keeping them warm during service." 

This is super important!! Not only for yummy meals, but food safety! When you have food in the temperature "danger zone" for too long, it allows bacteria (and subsequent foodborne illness) to thrive. Because no matter the mouthwatering recipes, if it results in your family being sick, it's a no-go for me.

3. Eco-Friendly & Sustainable
Kaolin is a naturally abundant material and requires minimal processing, making it an environmentally responsible choice. It is also extremely durable and this single piece of cookware can last you decades when well taken care of. 

In addition to the composition being sustainable, it is also an eco-friendly choice from an energy perspective. The Claypot Oven heats evenly and retains this heat for longer periods, allowing it to require far less energy - up to 70% less - than traditional slow cookers.

4. Aesthetically Beautiful
Last but not least, kaolin clay slow cookers are really beautiful. The claypots have a matte finish in beautiful earthy tones (I have the brown sugar option). It's the same reason this clay is used in pottery and ceramics-- it is functional and works great for design too!

My Experience Using the Claypot Oven

I made it my mission to try every single setting on this bad boy before giving it my stamp of approval-- and within the first couple of weeks of its delivery time, I made it happen! 

Testing out cooking corn in the ClayPot and leaving it on the warming setting. It turned out so good 🤤 (also ignore the leftover corn silk— my kitchen assistant is a 4-year-old 😜😍)

​The settings:

• Rice- I followed the measurements on the rice bag and put it into the Claypot. While it was cooking, I was browsing through the manual and realized that they recommend slightly different measurements for rice. My rice was almost already cooked, so I just stuck with it, and it turned out great! Maybe next time I will try the Magnifique recommended measurements with a half cup of extra water... but overall, I was impressed with how quickly the rice cooked. Definitely quicker than boiling water on the stove, adding rice, and simmering for 25 minutes.

• Sear and sautee- The second thing I tried out was the sear mode after seeing a recipe for seared halibut fish tacos 🤤 I normally wouldn't have even thought to cook fish in the Claypot, so I was glad I stumbled upon a new recipe that reminded me of that setting! I

  set the Claypot to "high" on it's "Sear/Sautee" setting and let it heat up for a few minutes. Then I placed 4 pieces of fish (my favorite Wild Alaskan Seafood) into the tray and was curious how it'd work.

  I ended up cooking the fish for ~8 minutes on each side with the lid on. The fish was flaky and moist, with a light sear on the outside ( I think I could have let the Claypot heat up a little bit more before adding the fish in, but for the first time using this setting, I was happy!)

  As a family that really prioritizes their protein intake, this setting really makes it so easy!

• Slow Cook - In my summer meal rotation post, I shared how I have been on a corn kick. There is something about sweet corn on the cob with summer butter and salt that is just quintessential summertime to me, and I love every bit of it. That said, we typically grill corn, but given my mission to test out all the settings on the Claypot, I thought I would try it out. I have previously seen recipes for cooking corn in a crock pot, so I figured it was all the same. I turned the Claypot to the “Slow cook” setting on high and popped in the ears of corn. They cooked for about 30 minutes before I checked on them and gave ‘em a turn, and then cooked for another 30 minutes.

• Keep Warm- When I cooked the corn, I left it on the warming setting for about an hour while the rest of the dinner cooked. It was the perfect temperature when we were ready to eat it, and it still seemed like it was freshly cooked. My husband and I were chatting about other ways we could use this feature:

  • Saturday morning breakfast- this would be the perfect setting for keeping bacon and pancakes warm and ready for our Saturday morning family breakfasts

  • Freshly cooked tortillas- we love homemade sourdough tortillas (my fave recipe here in case you need it), but they tend to get a little stiff when they cool down. Using the Magnifique Claypot on the warming setting would be perfect to keep them warm and soft for Taco Tuesday!

Every Claypot Oven comes with a recipe cookbook— this Tuscan chicken Meatball with Gnocchi recipe is at the top of our list for things to try when the weather cools down in the fall 🤤

One Pot Cooking

Now, I am not always one to follow all the directions 👀, but I am all about efficiency. One thing I have been trying (and loving) is using it for one-pot meals! Here is how I made these rice, salmon, and broccoli bowls for dinner..

1. Turn the Claypot to the “White Rice” setting and add the appropriate amounts of rice and water

2. Sear the salmon on a stainless steel pan (okay, maybe it wasn’t quite a one pan meal… but the searing is optional!)

3. Add the salmon and raw broccoli into the pot and let it all cook

I kind of just watched it and let it cook until the broccoli and rice were tender, and the salmon was flaky and cooked all the way through. It took everything about ~25 minutes, give or take. The whole family loved it, and polished off all that I had cooked! It will definitely be a regular meal for our family.

Plus, one of the best parts was the super-easy clean up afterwards!

Related Reads:

• My Favorite Non-Toxic and USA-Made Cookware

• Meal Planning Made Easy: Our Simple System for Nourishing Meals

FAQ’s

Is the Magnifique Claypot really non-toxic?

The Magnifique Claypot is designed with a food-contact surface made from high-fired kaolin clay rather than a traditional nonstick coating. According to the company, the clay pot and glaze are independently third-party tested for PFAS, lead, cadmium, and other heavy metals. I also requested a copy of the testing documentation before agreeing to review the product, and the company promptly provided it. While no electric appliance is completely free of plastic or electronic components, the materials that come into contact with your food are made from clay rather than a synthetic nonstick coating.

What is the Magnifique Claypot made from?

The removable cooking pot and lid are made from high-fired kaolin clay with a clay glaze. Unlike many multi-cookers that use aluminum with a ceramic or PTFE-based coating, the cooking surface is clay itself. The heating base contains the electrical components needed to power the appliance.

Is the Magnifique Claypot dishwasher safe?

Yes. The removable clay pot and lid are dishwasher safe, although they're also very easy to wash by hand with warm water, mild soap, and a soft sponge. The electrical base should never be submerged in water and should simply be wiped clean with a damp cloth.

Can you sauté food in the Magnifique Claypot?

Yes! One of my favorite features is the built-in Sear & Sauté function. Instead of browning onions or meat in a separate skillet before slow cooking, you can do everything in the same pot. It saves time, reduces dishes, and adds more flavor to soups, stews, and braised dishes.

Can the Magnifique replace a slow cooker?

For many households, I think it can. In addition to slow cooking, the Magnifique can sauté, braise, cook rice, make pasta, prepare oatmeal, and keep food warm. Since bringing it into my kitchen, I rarely find myself wishing I still had my old slow cooker because this appliance simply does more.

Is the Magnifique worth the higher price?

That depends on what you're looking for. If you only use a slow cooker a few times each year and want the most budget-friendly option, a traditional Crock-Pot may be enough. However, if you value versatile appliances, prefer cooking with clay instead of traditional nonstick coatings, and use a slow cooker regularly, I think the added functionality and materials justify the higher price.

What size Magnifique Claypot should I buy?

The 4-quart model is a great choice for most families of two to four people and can fit a whole medium chicken or approximately a 4-pound roast. If you regularly cook for a larger family, meal prep, or enjoy having plenty of leftovers, the 6-quart version offers more capacity.

Personally, we started with a 4-quart and plan to upgrade to the large size specifically for meal prepping capacity.

Is the Magnifique Claypot oven safe?

Yes. The removable clay pot and lid are oven safe, making it easy to finish casseroles, bake bread, or transfer a dish from the slow cooker to the oven for browning before serving. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's temperature recommendations and care instructions.

Does food stick to the clay pot?

In my experience, very little. While it isn't completely nonstick like a coated pan, cleanup has been surprisingly easy. After soaking any stubborn bits for a few minutes, I've found that most residue wipes away without much scrubbing.

Would I buy the Magnifique Claypot again?

Absolutely. After using it for several months, it's become one of the countertop appliances I reach for most often. I love being able to sauté, slow cook, and serve all from the same beautiful clay pot, and it has made weeknight cooking much more convenient. If I were shopping for a healthier slow cooker today, I would choose it again.

Final Thoughts: Is the Magnifique Claypot Worth Buying?

Over the years, I have really leaned into minimalism wherever possible. This means that I love products that are versatile and can be used all the time, as opposed to sitting in the back of my pantry for months on end. Since opening the box and starting to use the Claypot Oven, it has been on my counter most days— both because we are using it that much, and also because it is not like other kitchen appliances that are kinda an eyesore. It’s actually beautiful.

I also really appreciate the sustainable materials used in its design and construction, and know that this is a piece of kitchenware that I will be able to cook nourishing meals with for decades. One of my favorite things about this “job” is getting to be on the frontlines of new and innovative products within the health space, and I cannot wait to see what Magnifique continues to create!

They have generously shared an exclusive discount for WWK readers— you can save 10% on Magnifique with the code KAELYN10 ✨

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