Distinction between earthenware vessels and other utensils
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Question
Why are other materials not similar to earthenware vessels that are not mentioned in the Torah and are susceptible to impurity?
Answer
The early commentators are divided in explaining the distinction between earthenware vessels that are susceptible to impurity and earth vessels that are not. Each opinion explains why earthenware vessels are similar to clay.
I will quote for you what I wrote on the matter elsewhere:
Among the early commentators, there are several explanations of what earth vessels are:
A. Rambam (Commentary on the Mishnah, Kelim, ch. 2, m. 1, ch. 4, m. 4, and many other places) explained that earth vessels are earthenware vessels that have not yet been fired in a kiln. This is also the opinion of Meiri (Beitzah 32b, s.v. "Even though", Yoma 2a, s.v. "And regarding").
Similarly, Tosafot (Menachot 69b, s.v. "Earth vessels") prove from the Gemara (Shabbat 58a) that a seal of clay is called an 'earth vessel'. Also, from what is said in the Mishnah (Kelim, ch. 3, m. 2) 'a lamp of earth that was fired with a wick', it is explained that before it was fired, it was called an earth vessel.
B. Rashi (Yoma 2a, s.v. "Earth vessels") explains that they are not made from clay fired in a kiln 'but from the earth itself, which is like soft stone, and vessels are carved from it'.
C. Rashi (Shabbat 16b, s.v. "Earth vessels") explained that they are complete vessels like earthenware and ceramic, but the earth was not kneaded when they were prepared. Similarly, Tosafot Rid (Yoma 2a, s.v. "And why"), at the end of his words.
A similar opinion is brought by Meiri (Beitzah 32b, s.v. "Even though") in the name of 'some say', that an earth vessel is when one takes a clod of earth and carves it. But if one takes earth suitable for making a vessel and kneads it well, it becomes a complete vessel and is not an earth vessel.
D. Tosafot (Menachot 69b, s.v. "Earth vessels") write in the name of Rashi, that they are 'crushed stones called kroit'.
E. Tosafot Rid (Yoma 2a, s.v. "And why") explains at the beginning of his words, that earth vessels are vessels made from clay not designated for vessels, and therefore even if kneaded and baked in an oven, they do not become susceptible to impurity.