DINNERWARE CATEGORIES Types and Characteristics

HF-LRA.120

CHINA DINNERWARE TYPE CHARACTERISTICS DISADVANTAGES PRICE RANGE

CHINA -Strong -Various grades - be sure -Expensive -Translucent to check workmanship. -Test-tap edge of a plate with a pencil and hear a clear, The thinnest indicates bell-like tone. high quality. -Resists scratching, chipping and staining. -Nonporous, won’t absorb food or dirt.

PORCELAIN -Looks more like glass than china and it has been -Sometimes brittle. -Expensive vitrified by firing at a higher temperature than china. -Not to be used for daily -Very strong. meals.

BONE CHINA -Whiteness in color; bone ash has been added to basic -Soft glaze -Medium to high mixture. -Strong -Translucent -Sometimes called English china.

CERAMIC -Nonporous -Less expensive than CHINA -Translucent fine china. -Strong -Ovenproof -Resistant to chipping and cracking -Excellent for informal use. -Often comes with replacement guarantees for chipping, cracking or breaking under normal use.

EARTHENWARE DINNERWARE

TYPE CHARACTERISTICS DISADVANTAGES PRICE RANGE

SEMI-VITREOUS -Made of more selected clays -Shows scratches because -Medium (Sometimes called SEMI- than pottery. high gloss may be rather PORCELAIN) -Opaque soft. -Cost depends on amount of -Somewhat porous -Not as greasy as porcelain. handwork and where it is -Fired at lower temperatures -When it chips, it will absorb made. than china. food and dirt. -Fine earthenware is white -Won’t resist extreme and fired at higher temperatures. temperatures than pottery. -Variety of color and patterns. -Durable when top quality. -Thinner than other types of earthenware but thicker than china.

Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin. TYPE CHARACTERISTICS DISADVANTAGES PRICE RANGE

STONEWARE -High-fired -Because it is made from -Low to medium, -Nonporous impure clays, it burns to a depending on -Greyish in color dark color and is usually quality and design. -Durable covered with a salt or lead- -Opaque in glaze. -Harder than semi-vitreous ware -Doesn’t have delicacy, light -Dishwasher safe colors or translucency of -Ovenproof (some) china. -Underglaze covered with clear overglaze -All patterns and colors permanent -Better grade of decorative pottery and tableware

POTTERY -Thick -Is not intended as a lifetime -Low to medium. -Heavy to touch investment. -Opaque -Breaks, chips, discolors. -Made of common clay -Glazes craze form heat and -Fired at low temperatures use. -Porous -Sometimes poorly designed. -Variety of colors, designs and textures -Cracked or chipped surface will absorb liquid and food stains.

OTHER DINNERWARE TYPE CHARACTERISTICS DISADVANTAGES PRICE RANGE

METALS -Often used as serving pieces. -Scratches -Medium to high. Silver -Stores easily. -Silver and pewter tarnish. -Silver very high. Pewter -Regular care with clean, warm, mild suds, wipe -Water spots. Stainless Steel dry with soft cloth. -Easily dented. -Unbreakable. -Keeps food hot.

GLASSWARE -Many colors and designs. -Not as versatile as china or -Low too high. earthenware. -Easily broken.

PLASTIC -Many colors, designs and shapes. -May crack and stain. -Low to medium. -Many grades of quality on market. -Lightweight-may cause -Particularly adaptable to casual use. spilling. -Durable. -Won’t stand heat or abrasives. -Knives sometimes scratch.

Adapted from Dishes From All Occasions, North Dakota Cooperative Extension Service.

Prepared by Linda R. Adler, M.A. Extension Specialist for Home Furnishings 7/97 Dinnerware Categories.wpd