Different Kinds of Dinnerware

Dinnerware is dishware that is set at the table for eating dinner, including plates, bowls and serving platters. It could be the same set you bring out every day for each meal, or the fancy ones that are showcased in the cabinet, waiting for an occasion worthy of their beauty.

Earthenware

• Made from less refined clays and fired at much lower temperatures than other varieties of dinnerware, earthenware is covered in cavities, making it absorbent and fragile. It is the oldest form of dinnerware. Ironstone is a type of earthenware that stands out; it is made with more refined clays than other types of earthenware and fired at a higher heat, making it stronger and more durable.

Stoneware

• This is a cheap from of dinnerware, making it a common choice for everyday dining. Quartz, flint and feldspar are mixed into the clay before it is added to a high temperature kiln, making the finished article resistant to sudden change in temperature. Stoneware and earthenware are similar, but stoneware is much heavier and stronger.

Porcelain

• Porcelain, also referred to as fine china, is made from a quartz, feldspar and clays-kaolin and fired at the highest heat possible in a kiln. It is hard, non-absorbent, translucent and expensive. While it is often believed that porcelain is fragile, it is actually durable. China is commonly set up in homes for show and only brought out for formal or special occasions.

Bone China

• While often confused with porcelain because of their similar appearance, bone china is whiter, stronger and more expensive. Animal bone is burned and ground into ash, then added to the china. This gives the bone china its durability and characteristic white color, which in turn demands a higher price.

Other Types

• Pottery is a durable form of dinnerware, even more so than stoneware. However, it should be soaked in warm water before being used, to make it resilient. Plastic is not as elegant as other types of dinnerware, but it is very difficult to break, making it ideal for children. Glass dinnerware is a cheap choice that is heat resistant, but very fragile.

(source: Original post by www.ehow.com)