How To Identify The Different Types Of Dinnerware

If you’re a culinary enthusiast, there are many small things you need to know about working in the kitchen. This ranges from the pyrex temperature limit all the way to which dishes best serve specific foods.

If you find yourself in the market for dinnerware for a formal or casual occasion, there are many materials for you to choose from. This includes bone china, Earthenware, and porcelain, to name a few.

These materials have unique qualities and characteristics that set them apart from other types. However, they also have drawbacks.

So, if you want to make good decisions about dinnerware, you must be able to identify which is the most appropriate for the situation. This article will highlight the most important factors of each type.

Bone China

Bone ash is made from animal bones and combined with porcelain clay to create a material that is stronger, less brittle, and far less likely to break than porcelain alone. In addition, it is fired at a lower temperature than porcelain.

Bone china is characterized by its translucent-looking, elegant, and extremely fragile appearance. Despite its delicate look, bone china is extremely durable and is also pretty strong. It can be used as decoration for more formal dining occasions or daily purposes.

Porcelain

Porcelain and china are interchangeable terms used to refer to clay composed of kaolin, quartz, and feldspar, which is then fired at a much higher temperature to get its distinctive shape.

As a result of this process, the dinnerware becomes extremely nonporous and durable, which is great if you have young children running around your home! Firing at high-temperatures results in more delicate-looking, translucent dinnerware. It also means that you can add more design elements to the body of the dinnerware.

Earthenware

This is usually cheaper than other dinnerware. It is a ceramic that has been glazed and fired. An earthenware cup, plate, or bowl will be properly glazed on the bottom (excluding its chalky rim). As its name implies, Earthenware is usually characterized by its rustic appearance (usually in shades of brown, gray, white, and buff) or hand-painted designs.

Unfortunately, its appearance is quite deceiving. It is quite a strong material, yet it is not as durable as other dinnerware types and tends to chip quite often.

Vitrified Glass

This is a type of glass that is typically opaque. Unlike other types of dinnerware, vitrified glass is glazed and then fired at extremely high temperatures. This causes the glaze and the clay to fuse so that it becomes durable and nonporous.

A properly vitrified product will not absorb any water, which leads to a lot less internal stress caused by expanding and contracting. This eventually helps to prevent breakage and will also ensure a longer life for the dinnerware. Not only is it highly practical, but it is also a great choice in terms of design. Many vitrified glass dinnerware products feature a solid white color and a small yet intricate design on the outer rim.

Melamine

Melamine is a plastic variation that can be found in many types of reusable utensils, cups, and plates. Melamine dinnerware is practically indestructible thanks to its chemical makeup. This makes it a brilliant choice if you are planning to use it outdoors or around children.

Though it’s plastic, it is extremely sturdy and often comes with a glossy finish. It is also entirely safe to use. However, you should never heat food in the oven or microwave using a melamine container as it can latch onto the food, contaminating it with plastic.

Stoneware

If you’re after a thicker dinnerware material for your everyday place settings, look no further than stoneware! Not only is it easy to maintain, but it’s also versatile, meaning it can be used in the oven, dishwasher, freezer, or microwave.

As its name may suggest, stoneware is highly durable due to being fired at a higher temperature. It is also much thicker and opaque than china. You can generally identify stoneware by its many glaze textures. This includes satin, matte, or shiny. It should be exposed to extreme or sudden changes in temperature due to the risk of cracking.

Conclusion

These are the different types of dinnerware that you must know about. From practicality to design, you must also consider multiple factors when you are trying to identify the different types of dinnerware available to you.

After reading this article, we hope you now know more about the types of dinnerware that are out there!