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
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Earthenware is a "low-fired" clay. This white and porous clay is fired at a low temperature, usually around'15 degrees Fahrenheit. It is sometimes called "ceramics" or "ceramic ware".
Stoneware
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Stoneware is a "high-fired" clay, and as a result, is much stronger. It is fired at about 2185 degrees Fahrenheit, and becomes vitreous (i.e.: having the nature of glass). After firing it becomes sturdy and chip-resistant.
Porcelain
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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
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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) If it's not porcelain, we know that it must be either stoneware or earthenware. What do we do next? We need to check out the weight of the item. If it's rather heavy for its size, then it's stoneware.
3) If the piece looks like hand-made pottery, then it is stoneware. Stoneware, unlike earthenware, will have a texture to it.
4) Does the item you are holding have a chip in it? If so, take a look at it. Is it very white and "chalky" looking? Can you scrape off more material with your fingernail? If so, it's probably earthenware. We say this because earthenware, when fired, has a white, chalky look. Stoneware, on the other hand, 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.
Did you enjoy this little journey into the world of dinner set materials. We now know that porcelain, earthenware, and stoneware are the three main options. More information on dinner sets is available on our blog.
Earthenware
----------------
Earthenware is a "low-fired" clay. This white and porous clay is fired at a low temperature, usually around'15 degrees Fahrenheit. It is sometimes called "ceramics" or "ceramic ware".
Stoneware
--------------
Stoneware is a "high-fired" clay, and as a result, is much stronger. It is fired at about 2185 degrees Fahrenheit, and becomes vitreous (i.e.: having the nature of glass). After firing it becomes sturdy and chip-resistant.
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) If it's not porcelain, we know that it must be either stoneware or earthenware. What do we do next? We need to check out the weight of the item. If it's rather heavy for its size, then it's stoneware.
3) If the piece looks like hand-made pottery, then it is stoneware. Stoneware, unlike earthenware, will have a texture to it.
4) Does the item you are holding have a chip in it? If so, take a look at it. Is it very white and "chalky" looking? Can you scrape off more material with your fingernail? If so, it's probably earthenware. We say this because earthenware, when fired, has a white, chalky look. Stoneware, on the other hand, 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.
Did you enjoy this little journey into the world of dinner set materials. We now know that porcelain, earthenware, and stoneware are the three main options. More information on dinner sets is available on our blog.
About the Author:
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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