Is it normal for the outside of my Joubu bowl to not be smooth?

If you notice that the outside of your Joubu inner bowl has a slightly bobbled, textured or bubble-like appearance, there is no need to be concerned. This is completely normal and is how the bowl is designed to look.

The texture is a natural result of the specialised firing and manufacturing process used to produce the bowl. During firing, the materials undergo significant changes at high temperatures, which can create this distinctive surface texture.

It is also an intentional design feature of the Joubu bowl rather than a manufacturing defect. The exterior does not need to have a perfectly smooth or uniform appearance for the bowl to function correctly.

Therefore, if your Joubu bowl has small bumps, dimples or a bubble-like texture on the outside, this is normal and does not indicate damage, poor quality or a problem with the bowl.

The important area to inspect is the interior cooking surface. As long as the cooking surface is intact and free from damage, the textured appearance on the outside of the bowl is simply part of the Joubu bowl's manufacturing process and distinctive design.