If we look around a typical American kitchen what will we find? Appliances like a stove, a fridge, and a dishwasher, sure…but what about in the cupboard? You will probably see lots of bowls, mugs, plates, and cups. Pretty designs and various shapes, but have you ever stopped to consider what they are made out of? Plastic in the “more economical” kitchens perhaps, but most are made out of three main materials: earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain. We may have heard of these materials before…but what are they? We will be exploring the differences between these three materials in this article.
Earthenware —————- Earthenware is what is known as a “low-fired” clay. This means that it is fired at a low temperature (usually around’15 degrees Fahrenheit). Made from a white and porous clay, it is sometimes called “ceramics” or “ceramic ware”.
Stoneware ————– Stoneware (unlike Earthenware) is a “high-fired” clay. It is fired around 2185 degrees Fahrenheit, and as a result of this intense heat, it is much stronger than Earthenware. This firing makes it vitreous (i.e.: like glass), and is chip-resistant and sturdy.
Porcelain ———— A number of different ingredients are used to make porcelain. The main material is a pale clay, like china white. Other materials that are incorporated are: glass, feldspar, and granite…which are ground, and then added to the clay. Water is added to make the mixture easy to work with. Worked into the desired shape, the mixture is then fired in a bisque kiln (at a moderate temperature). After glazing and then a “high-temperature” firing, the result is a piece of pottery that is both translucent and delicate.
Telling the Difference ————————— With this bit of a background on what makes them different, how do we tell them apart? Here’s the breakdown:
1) First we need to see if it is porcelain. Porcelain (unlike earthenware and stoneware) is translucent, so light will shine through it. If you hold the piece up to the light, what do you see? If you see some light shining through, then it is porcelain.
2) We now know that it is either earthenware or stoneware. How do we tell the difference between these two? Check out the weight of the item. Is it rather heavy for its size? If so, it’s probably stoneware.
3) Another test is that stoneware has the “look” of hand-made pottery. It will have a texture to it, while earthenware does not.
4) Does the piece have a chip in it? If so, then examine it further. Is it very white and does it have a “chalky” look? Use your fingernail. Can you scrape off a bit more material? If the answer is “yes”, then it’s probably earthenware. Earthenware (once fired) has this white, chalky look, while stoneware has a darker, textured look.
5) If any part of the piece happens to be unglazed, then what do you see? If you see a textured clay, then this piece is stoneware.
We hope you enjoyed this tour into the world of dinner set materials. Porcelain, earthenware, and stoneware are the three main choices. If you would like to learn more about dinner sets, please visit our blog.
Want to find out more about earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain, then visit Diana Richards’s site on how to choose the best dinner set for your needs.
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