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 —————- Made from a white and porous clay, Earthenware is what is known as a “low-fired” clay. Fired at a low temperature (usually around’15 degrees Fahrenheit), it is sometimes called “ceramic ware” or “ceramics”.
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 ————————— Now that we know what makes each of these items different, how do we tell them apart? Here’s the process we will follow:
1) Is it porcelain? The first thing to keep in mind is that porcelain is translucent, while stoneware and earthenware are not. Hold the item up to the light. Can you see the light shining through? If so, 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) If the piece looks like hand-made pottery, then it is stoneware. Stoneware, unlike earthenware, will have a texture to it.
4) If the piece you are holding has a chip in it, take a close look at it. Is the area very white and “chalky” looking? Can you scrape off a bit more material with your fingernail? If so, then it’s probably earthenware. Earthenware (once it has been fired) has a white, chalky look. Stoneware has a darker, textured look.
5) Is any part of the item is unglazed, see if there is textured clay showing through. If so, it’s 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.
Learn more about the world of the dinner set. Stop by Diana Richards’s site where you can find out all about dinner sets, and which one will work best for you.
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