Why Emile Henry Ceramics Are Special
After our founders and Buying Team visited Emile Henry’s factory in Marcigny, France, co-founder David said you can hardly call it a ‘factory’. The human touch is in every element of production, whether it’s the design of plaster moulds, visual and sound checks for quality-control, or how every sticker has the name of the person who generated it under the ISBN code. The result of all this care is top-quality ceramic ovenware, built to diffuse heat, resist chipping, and last a lifetime.
Here are five reasons we believe Emile Henry ceramics are exceptional, with photos taken from our visit to their headquarters in Burgundy. (Shop Emile Henry ceramics here.)
Here are five reasons we believe Emile Henry ceramics are exceptional, with photos taken from our visit to their headquarters in Burgundy. (Shop Emile Henry ceramics here.)
1. They Make Their Own Slip
Most ceramic factories purchase pre-made slip (the liquid clay mixture used for casting), which results in products that look and perform exactly like their competitors'. Emile Henry is different: They produce their own proprietary slip, using clay sourced from the French-German border. Their slip is filtered multiple times – via sieves and magnets – to take out every impurity, such as metals. This filtered, purified slip is hosed into the moulds to shape the ceramics before they are baked.
Pictured: Emile Henry Flan Dish moulds, which the ceramic slip is hosed into (bottom left corner) before being shaped, coloured, and baked.
Rather than being a one-size-fits-all recipe, Emile Henry’s homemade slip lets them engineer their ceramics for different functions, whether it’s for baking, storage, or direct heat. This means they can make ceramic designed for the oven extra durable – unlike companies who might use the same grade of ceramics for pieces that are not designed for cooking. We stock Emile Henry ovenware, which diffuses evenly throughout the pan, keeping the food cooked in it warmer for longer. It is 100% dishwasher-safe.
2. Rigorous Quality Control
The human element is central to Emile Henry’s production. Every single item undergoes a visual check and a sound check to listen for internal breakages before it leaves the factory. Artisans use sponges to hand-fix small imperfections and then stamp each item with their initials. Teams are responsible for their individual production runs, handling them from start to finish. In total, the Emile Henry team makes around 500 products per day from start to finish.
This level of accountability ensures that only the most durable, flawless pieces reach your kitchen. They are made by artisans who know their craft through and through.
This level of accountability ensures that only the most durable, flawless pieces reach your kitchen. They are made by artisans who know their craft through and through.
Pictured: Our Buying Team with John-Baptiste Henry, the sixth-generation heir of the Emile Henry founding family.
3. Family-Owned Heritage in France
Emile Henry has been family-owned and operated since 1850. For six generations, the company has remained rooted in the small town of Marcigny, where every single piece is still produced today. Each new generation adds a production detail that reflects the latest technology, ensuring they evolve while maintaining the core craftsmanship that defines the brand.
By making products in France, Emile Henry adheres to the strict environmental standards set by the EU, working to reduce their waste and energy consumption as much as possible. For example, their dryers use heat recycled from the kiln, and as mentioned before, the slip is sourced from within Europe.
This point isn't just about sentimental value – it’s about institutional knowledge, and an emotional investment in creating high-quality products that both the Henry family and Emile Henry customers take pride in.
By making products in France, Emile Henry adheres to the strict environmental standards set by the EU, working to reduce their waste and energy consumption as much as possible. For example, their dryers use heat recycled from the kiln, and as mentioned before, the slip is sourced from within Europe.
This point isn't just about sentimental value – it’s about institutional knowledge, and an emotional investment in creating high-quality products that both the Henry family and Emile Henry customers take pride in.
4. Superior Thermal Shock Resistance
One of the most impressive aspects of Emile Henry ceramics is their ability to handle thermal shock. That’s when a pan undergoes a rapid change in temperature, say, from the freezer to a hot oven. This usually causes the ceramic to crack.
Emile Henry tests their oven-safe ceramics for thermal shock by pouring cold water (5°C) on a pan that’s been heated to 250-270°C – the maximum temperature in most UK home ovens. If a pan doesn’t pass this test, it won’t be sold. Very few ceramics manufacturers have the facilities to test pans this way, because unlike Emile Henry, they make ‘one size fits all’ ceramics rather than categorising into different varieties for the oven, kitchen storage, or table. If an Emile Henry pan cracks as a result of thermal shock after it has been purchased, it will most likely be a thin hairline mark rather than a large crack. In that case, a customer is entitled to a 10-year warranty against thermal shock.
This detail matters because if we are distracted while cooking – especially when entertaining – we often take a dish from the freezer to a hot oven, or place a hot roaster directly into a sink of water, without thinking twice. While ceramics from mass-market retailers may shatter at 220°C, Emile Henry ceramics won’t, as they design their products to be heatproof up to 250°C at the least.
Emile Henry tests their oven-safe ceramics for thermal shock by pouring cold water (5°C) on a pan that’s been heated to 250-270°C – the maximum temperature in most UK home ovens. If a pan doesn’t pass this test, it won’t be sold. Very few ceramics manufacturers have the facilities to test pans this way, because unlike Emile Henry, they make ‘one size fits all’ ceramics rather than categorising into different varieties for the oven, kitchen storage, or table. If an Emile Henry pan cracks as a result of thermal shock after it has been purchased, it will most likely be a thin hairline mark rather than a large crack. In that case, a customer is entitled to a 10-year warranty against thermal shock.
This detail matters because if we are distracted while cooking – especially when entertaining – we often take a dish from the freezer to a hot oven, or place a hot roaster directly into a sink of water, without thinking twice. While ceramics from mass-market retailers may shatter at 220°C, Emile Henry ceramics won’t, as they design their products to be heatproof up to 250°C at the least.
Pictured (Left): Emile Henry colour sprayed onto cookware for extra durability and colour retention. Pictured (Right): Pieces going into the oven.
5. Durable Colours and Glazes
Emile Henry – like another Borough Kitchen favourite, Jars Ceramistes – fire their kiln at 1100°C. This allows them to work with a wide range of colours, unlike porcelain, which has a higher firing temperature (1400°C) which colours cannot withstand. Their glazes, which are developed in-house, make their ceramics less porous and more chip-proof. The colours are sprayed on, rather than dipped, which makes the colours look more consistent. At the moment we only carry one colour, Clay, an earthy white we love for its timeless versatility.
Emile Henry bakeware stays beautiful and functional through years of heavy scraping, cutting, and dishwasher cycles, never losing its sheen or effortless charm. Their aesthetic is classic but not uptight – the perfect embodiment of French country charm.
Emile Henry bakeware stays beautiful and functional through years of heavy scraping, cutting, and dishwasher cycles, never losing its sheen or effortless charm. Their aesthetic is classic but not uptight – the perfect embodiment of French country charm.
