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Dinnerware
Typically, a full dinnerware set includes
a dinner plate, salad plate, bread plate,
dessert plate, soup bowl, cup, and saucer.
However, four and five piece combinations
are very common for casual dining. Also,
many sets have complementary serving sets
that include cream and sugar bowls, serving
bowls, butter dishes, platters, and more
that match. However, selecting a dinnerware
pattern is only one of several attributes
to consider.
Material
All ceramic dinnerware starts
with a base
of clay, but the composition
of the clay
and its kiln temperature change
as you progress
toward the finest dinnerware
(for example
better china will include materials
such
as silica, quartz and feldspar)
and you end
up with increasingly non-porous
and durable
products.
- Fine China (or Porcelain): a durable, non-absorbent
ceramic that is fired at the highest kiln
temperatures. Porcelain is impervious to
bacteria growth. It is dishwasher, oven and
microwave safe and is ideal for all uses
at the table and in the kitchen. Better quality
porcelain will be thin and translucent, yet
resistant to chipping and cracking.
- Bone China: similar to Fine China but its
clay content includes a bone ash which helps
to create a whiter, more translucent ceramic
(light should shine through it) that rings
like a bell when lightly tapped. Bone China
is often considered superior to Fine China.
- Stoneware: made from a heavy, non-porous
clay that is fired at a high temperature,
is usually considered informal dinnerware
because its thick appearance and weighty
feel are more appropriate for casual, everyday
designs. Stoneware is fired at higher temperatures
than earthenware, making it more durable
and chip resistant. Most stoneware is dishwasher
safe and like earthenware, it may require
a gradual change in temperature to prevent
cracking.
- Earthenware: made from a porous, light reddish-brown
clay that is fired at relatively low temperatures.
The oldest form of dinnerware because it
is fired at the lowest kiln temperatures,
earthenware contains a number of impurities
making it fragile and absorbent.
Glass is an alternative to ceramic
and includes
products such as Corelle, an
impact resistant
glass.
Shape
The shape of the pieces should reflect both
practicality and design. For example, a soup
bowl should not be too shallow and a dinner
plate too small, and all pieces should reflect
a relative proportion (the dinner plate the
largest, the saucer the smallest). However,
there are no guidelines beyond taste to determine
what size or shape (round, oval, irregular,
or square) each piece should be so long as
they have a matched appearance within the
set and are practical to use.
Before Buying
Make sure the dishes you select
match your
lifestyle in these important
ways:
- microwave safe
- dishwasher safe
- chip-resistant
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