Fine and ornamental ceramic tableware is referred to as chinaware or simply china. It is frequently used interchangeably with porcelain; however, there may be a small difference in the temperature at which porcelain is fired. Porcelain is also slightly stronger and harder than china.
It is created by mixing feldspar, quartz, kaolin, white clay that was first discovered in China, and clay.
The piece is then prepared according to standard pottery procedure, which involves shaping, molding, casting, and firing at various temperatures to make it sturdy enough for decorative/functional use. Given that it sounds vegan, it actually is!
The durable ceramic material used to make traditional chinaware is biscuit-fired at high temperatures before being glaze fired at a lower temperature. You’re most likely to encounter one of two typical varieties of china dinnerware during your search.
Holding your current china up to a light source will reveal whether it is porcelain or bone. You are most likely holding a common piece of porcelain ceramic dinnerware if there is no sign of light shining through. Ox bone ash added to chinaware will allow some light to pass through.
100% vitrified China helps to improve sanitation and food safety efforts by preventing crazing and cracking, which over time promote bacterial growth.
How to Maintain and Store Chinaware?
Dishes are broken, not that they break, as the saying goes. To keep the cost of replacement of your chinaware low, it is crucial to maintain it properly.
Treatment, Upkeep, and Storage
Never place plates on a shelf higher than 12″. For simple storage, use a dish caddy or a plate dispenser.
Place cups in racks and stack plates in stacks. Bus china straight into racks at all times.
Utilize stainless steel shelves that are non-magnetic to store china near or below areas used for food plating.
To remove food, use sponges, scrubbers, and plastic or rubber scrapers.
Place similar items in dish racks. Never transport loose, jumbled items.
Do not use wet nests (storing dishes when they are wet). Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when drying them.
For best results, always adhere to the manufacturer’s care, upkeep, and storage recommendations.
How to Recognize the Various Dinnerware Types?
There are many different materials available, including porcelain, stoneware, bone china, and earthenware, for both informal and formal uses.
Each material has unique advantages, disadvantages, and price ranges. It’s a good idea to become familiar with the benefits and drawbacks of each material before selecting tableware in order to make the best choice.
Earthenware
Earthenware is ceramic that has been glazed and fired and is frequently less expensive than other types of dinnerware. Although it has a thick, heavy, and rustic appearance and feel, it is less strong and chip-resistant than other kinds of dinnerware. Most hand-painted dishes are made of earthenware.
You should avoid leaving earthenware submerged in water because it is frequently porous, which increases the risk of it staining or absorbing liquid.
Stoneware
Due to the clay’s higher firing temperature and typical addition of vitreous (glass) material for strength, stoneware, another type of fired ceramic dinnerware, is slightly more durable than earthenware. Compared to more delicate materials like porcelain and china, the body of stoneware is thicker and more opaque.
Stoneware is typically used in casual, everyday place settings. The majority of high-quality stoneware has a wide range of uses and requires little upkeep. It can be used in the freezer, oven, microwave, and dishwasher, but always check with the manufacturer to make sure.
Porcelain or China
Dinnerware made of a fine-particle clay, typically composed of feldspar, kaolin, and quartz, that is fired at a higher temperature is known as porcelain or china. As a result, the dinnerware that is produced is very strong and nonporous. This process also makes it possible to incorporate shaped details into the body’s design and makes the body thinner and more delicately constructed, giving it an almost translucent appearance.
Unless the manufacturer specifies otherwise, fine china can typically be used in the dishwasher, microwave, and oven. Microwaves should not be used on china with gold, silver, or platinum borders, and detergents with citrus or lemon scents may corrode metal accents. Many people wash their porcelain dishes with metal accents by hand.
Bone China
Bone China is made by combining porcelain clay with bone ash (made from animal bones), which is fired at a temperature a little lower than porcelain. This results in a material that is very light, delicate, translucent and has a milky appearance.
Bone china is the strongest and most resilient ceramic dinnerware, in spite of its fragile appearance. Unless it has metallic banding, most bone china can be put in the dishwasher, microwave, and oven.
Related Questions
Are china and ceramic the same thing?
Dinnerware that has been permanently hardened by heat and made of clay is formally referred to as ceramic. Since this is a part of the definitions of both china and porcelain, ceramic dinnerware can be used interchangeably with both types of dinnerware.
What type of dinnerware is the toughest?
Bone china is the strongest and most resilient ceramic dinnerware, in spite of its fragile appearance. Unless it has metallic banding, most bone china can be put in the dishwasher, microwave, and oven. Like porcelain, bone china can be used every day or saved for more formal dining occasions.
Conclusion
You can save money and a tonne of hassle by selecting the appropriate chinaware for your food service operation. The options for china dinnerware range from size and shape to color and composition, and they can be overwhelming. Find out more about the options available to you and the decisions you will need to make when deciding what dinnerware to buy.
