topic Re: Rachael Ray stoneware in Kitchen

Rachael Ray stoneware

jrcnc — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 19:34:05 GMT

I purchased a set of Rachael Ray stoneware at a QVC outlet. There were 2 sizes of casserole dishes, a pie plate and one lid. They were tightly taped together so they would not move around.

The smaller casserole was sitting inside the pie plate and now I cannot separate them. The casserole is wedged so tightly there is absolutely no movement. I have tried squirting liquid dish detergent around the rim of the pie plate, but still cannot get them to come apart.

Would appreciate any ideas of what to try next. I hate to resort to extreme measures, as in hammer from the tool box!

Thanks!

Re: Rachael Ray stoneware

Campion — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 19:40:25 GMT

Freezer overnight, followed by light tapping where it looks stuck. Cover a small hammer or end of a screwdriver with a towel, and tap with it lightly to vibrate it loose.

Report back!

Re: Rachael Ray stoneware

millieshops — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 19:58:15 GMT

I'd also try the freezer.

If that doesn't separate them, I'd try letting them come to room temperature and pouring in a few spoons of veggie oil. There may be a spot of something sticky holding them together. Let it sit for a while and see what happens.

Good luck.

Re: Rachael Ray stoneware

jrcnc — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 20:01:18 GMT

Thank you Campion and millieshops! Had not thought about the freezer idea. Will try that and report back.

Re: Rachael Ray stoneware

ValuSkr — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 20:03:49 GMT

Not sure I follow this. Did you remove the tape and still couldn't separate? What's holding them together?

Re: Rachael Ray stoneware

Campion — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 20:07:26 GMT

On 1/9/2015 ValuSkr said:
Not sure I follow this. Did you remove the tape and still couldn't separate? What's holding them together?

FRICTION (wedged together.)

Re: Rachael Ray stoneware

cookinfreak — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 00:09:55 GMT

Would it work to put bottom dish in sink with warm water and then ice water in the top one?

Warm would make it expand, and the cold would make it tighten up

cookin

Re: Rachael Ray stoneware

Campion — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 13:00:32 GMT

On 1/9/2015 cookinfreak said:
Would it work to put bottom dish in sink with warm water and then ice water in the top one?

Warm would make it expand, and the cold would make it tighten up

cookin

Might be something to try--but the expansion properties of glazed stoneware are not easy to predict--and there may be some deformation of the glaze going on (it's essentially glass which is a liquid--so the two surfaces may have actually bonded slightly.) The cold idea was to break this bond more than have the dishes contract, though that will help. If the dishes become "smaller" as a result of the freezer, it could pull the surfaces away that are touching and bonded. I haven't worked as a chemist engineer for some time (I retired to do finance) but I think the glassy surface is the issue here. Not certain, but the freezer is the first thing I'd try. Tapping afterwards (nothing too violent) was to add vibration to encourage the ceramic glaze to release its bond.

Re: Rachael Ray stoneware

Group 5 minus 1 — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 14:08:02 GMT

As a rule I do not care for stoneware for daily use. I think it chips too much.

Re: Rachael Ray stoneware

Cardamom — Sat, 10 Jan 2015 15:32:15 GMT

Oh wow! Did you get them apart? Were they okay? I love my RR Cucina!! )

Re: Rachael Ray stoneware

Campion — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 12:41:15 GMT

On 1/10/2015 Cardamom said: Oh wow! Did you get them apart? Were they okay? I love my RR Cucina!! )

I have a few Cucina pieces and the cookware (gifts.) I love them. I have the Paisley RR dinnerware (goes with the original bright stoneware) or I'd buy more of the cucina I don't like the Cucina dishes shape (love the color) but the casseroles and cruets are lovely. That Agave Blue is really beautiful, as is the mushroom color.

Re: Rachael Ray stoneware

NickNack — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 14:06:42 GMT

Did you get it apart? Do you live near the outlet so you could return the pieces if you can't get them apart?

Re: Rachael Ray stoneware

ValuSkr — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 15:02:16 GMT

I wonder too if the OP ever got them apart. It's a very strange problem.

Re: Rachael Ray stoneware

jrcnc — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 23:13:38 GMT

Finally, the verdict is in. The 2 pieces are apart and each survived in one piece.

I put them in the freezer last Friday and actually forgot about them until today. Removed from freezer and husband helped out with gentle tapping with wooden hammer handle, but they did not budge.

So we plugged up kitchen sink and drew hot water. Placed them in the hot water, but filled the inside one with ice. Not exactly sure what did the trick, but they sat in the sink for about 10 minutes and then with some gentle taps (wooden handle) they just slid apart.

Whew! Now I have a good size casserole and a pie plate.

It was too late to return to the QVC outlet. The outlet here in NC has closed, as has the one in SC. Do not know about outlets in PA.

Thank you to everyone who provided input.