Types of Crockery and Dinnerware Materials
Crockery is the collective name for plates, bowls, cups and serving pieces, most commonly made from ceramic materials. Dinnerware is the crockery used to serve and eat meals, and its material affects appearance, weight, durability and everyday care.
Before you start wondering about patterns and colours, focusing your attention on what material you really like would be a helpful start. Bone china, earthenware, porcelain, melamine and stoneware are the most common dinnerware materials. These types of dinnerware have their own benefits that can assist in making your selection.
Porcelain
Porcelain and China are both terms that refer to dinnerware made of a fine-particle clay—typically comprised of feldspar, kaolin, and quartz—that is fired at a higher temperature. This makes the resulting dinnerware extremely durable and non-porous. This process also allows the body to be thinner and more delicately constructed which gives it an almost translucent appearance, as well as allowing for shaped details to be incorporated into the design of the body.
Most Porcelain dinnerware is dishwasher, microwave, and oven-safe unless the manufacturer indicates otherwise. Porcelain that has a gold, silver, or platinum border should not be microwaved and lemon or citrus-scented detergent could damage metal accents. Many people hand-wash their metal-accented porcelain dishes.
Porcelain often has an upscale look, lending itself to more formal dining occasions, but it also can be used every day to make any meal a little more elegant. Brands to look for include Noritake, Villeroy & Boch, and Dankotuwa Porcelain.
Most Porcelain dinnerware is dishwasher, microwave, and oven-safe unless the manufacturer indicates otherwise. Porcelain that has a gold, silver, or platinum border should not be microwaved and lemon or citrus-scented detergent could damage metal accents. Many people hand-wash their metal-accented porcelain dishes.
Porcelain often has an upscale look, lending itself to more formal dining occasions, but it also can be used every day to make any meal a little more elegant. Brands to look for include Noritake, Villeroy & Boch, and Dankotuwa Porcelain.
Bone China
Bone ash (which is made from animal bones) is combined with porcelain clay and fired at a slightly lower temperature than porcelain to produce a material that is very lightweight, delicate in feel, and translucent with a milky appearance.
Despite its fragile presentation, bone china is actually the strongest and most durable ceramic dinnerware. Most bone china is dishwasher-safe and, unless it has metallic banding, can go in the microwave and oven as well. Bone china, as with porcelain, can be used daily or reserved for a more formal dining occasion. Brands to look for include Noritake, and Villeroy & Boch.
Despite its fragile presentation, bone china is actually the strongest and most durable ceramic dinnerware. Most bone china is dishwasher-safe and, unless it has metallic banding, can go in the microwave and oven as well. Bone china, as with porcelain, can be used daily or reserved for a more formal dining occasion. Brands to look for include Noritake, and Villeroy & Boch.
Stoneware
A type of fired ceramic dinnerware, the clay is fired at a higher temperature and usually has vitreous (glass) material added to it for strength. The body of stoneware is thicker and more opaque than finer materials like porcelain and China and can be finished with a variety of glaze textures such as shiny, satin, or matte.
Stoneware is typically used in casual, everyday place settings. Most good-quality stoneware is very versatile to use and easy to maintain. It can go in the microwave, dishwasher, oven, and freezer, but always check with the manufacturer for the specific qualities of your dinnerware. It should not, however, be exposed to sudden or extreme temperature changes.
Stoneware is typically used in casual, everyday place settings. Most good-quality stoneware is very versatile to use and easy to maintain. It can go in the microwave, dishwasher, oven, and freezer, but always check with the manufacturer for the specific qualities of your dinnerware. It should not, however, be exposed to sudden or extreme temperature changes.
Dinner set
Typical 21 Piece set
Dinner Plate - 6
Small Plate - 6
Serving Bowls - 2
Dessert Bowls / Katori - 6
Serving Platter - 1
Other Items
Charger Plate
Deep Plate
Fish Plate
Large Bowl
Sauce Bowl
etc
Dinner Plate - 6
Small Plate - 6
Serving Bowls - 2
Dessert Bowls / Katori - 6
Serving Platter - 1
Other Items
Charger Plate
Deep Plate
Fish Plate
Large Bowl
Sauce Bowl
etc
