The ABC's of Earthenware, Stoneware, and Porcelain

By Diana Richards

What do you have in your kitchen? I'm sure you probably have a fridge, a stove, and perhaps a dishwasher. What's in your cupboard? Most kitchens are equipped with mugs, plates, bowls, and cups. I'm sure that they have a nice design and interesting shapes, but what are they made out of? In the "more economical" kitchens they may be made out of plastic, but the most common materials are: earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain. Although we may have heard of these materials before, do we know what they are? We will be examining the differences between these three materials in this article.

Earthenware ---------------- Earthenware is what is known as a "low-fired" clay. This means that it is fired at a low temperature (usually around'15 degrees Fahrenheit). Made from a white and porous clay, 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 ------------ Porcelain is made from a number of materials. A pale clay (such as china white) is the main material. Other ingredients, such as feldspar, granite, and glass, are then ground and added to the clay. Once enough water is added to make the mixture workable, it is fired in a bisque kiln at a moderate temperature. Next comes a glazing and a "high-temperature" firing. The result is a piece of pottery that is delicate and translucent.

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) Another test is that stoneware has the "look" of hand-made pottery. It will have a texture to it, while earthenware does not.

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) If any part of the piece is unglazed, take a look to see if textured clay is showing through. This means that it 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. - 30553

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