I have one with lid. I use it a lot. It isn't heavy at all compared to my Staub and cast iron. If you use soap, clay will absorb the soap and become brittle over time and may have a soap taste in the food. It's easy to clean with a scrubby and hot water. The color will become darker except where it is glazed. It roasts and bakes food great. My flat pizza stone is black as night. It is suppose to get black. I rinse it in hot water and scrub lightly to remove any grease and food. It stays in my oven all the time unless I need the space.