The ABC's of Earthenware, Stoneware, and Porcelain

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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Porcelain is made out of a number of ingredients. A pale clay (such as china white) is the main material. Other materials, such as glass, granite, and feldspar are ground, and then added to the clay. Enough water is added to make the mixture workable. After working this mixture into the shape you want, it is fired in a bisque kiln at a moderate temperature. After glazing and a "high-temperature" firing, you have a piece of pottery that is delicate and translucent.

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) Stoneware also has a "look" of hand-made pottery. This means that stoneware will have a texture to it. Earthenware will not.

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.

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.