Porcelain Dinnerware vs. Ceramic Dinnerware

Our food looks more delicious if we serve it in an admirable dish. Porcelain can make that happen because of its white translucent color, fine finish, and lightweight. That's why most restaurants use porcelain dishes, and families take them out at formal dinners. On the other hand, ceramic dishes are for everyday rough usage. They are heavy and thick but available in any color and design. It's best to read this article of the comparison of porcelain and ceramic dinnerware if you plan to buy one. Your choice will surely get easy.

Porcelain Dinnerware

Porcelain dinnerware is one of the many types of ceramic dinnerware. However, the clay used to make porcelain is refined and heated at high temperatures, more than 2300 degrees Fahrenheit, to prepare the dinnerware. That's why we can say that porcelain is harder, temperature-resistant, and microwave friendly. Also, when the denser refined clay is heated at a high temperature, it becomes more wear and tear-resistant.

The dense and refined porcelain clay is usually kaolin, clay, quartz sand, and feldspar. However, it also includes other materials to make it pleasing and appealing. These other materials include granite, glass, steatite, bone ash, and ball clay.

Porcelain dinnerware is undoubtedly high quality; it also looks good to the eyes, and the food you serve in it looks appealing. It is also almost transparent dinnerware that can pass the light. Because of this feature, porcelain dinnerware is primarily white or sometimes available in light colors. It is so fine that it sounds like a bell if you lightly tap it.

Types

It could be confused if you have never heard of those names of porcelain dinnerware. Bone china, soft-paste, and hard-paste porcelain are three most common types.

• Bone china is the strongest type and is very translucent and whitish.
• Soft-paste porcelain is an artificial form of porcelain. It is not that durable.
• Hard-paste porcelain is true porcelain. It is durable and made at high temperatures.

Manufacturing

The first step is to measure the raw materials and take the required quantity of each raw material. After that, all the raw material is crushed. The crushing is done in three steps. The next step is first in the jaw crushers and in the hammer mills. After that, it is crushed in the ball mills to make the raw material a finely ground powder.

When the texture gets smooth, the raw material is mixed in water. The dinnerware's body is made when it gets a refined, clean, and wet texture. There are many ways to make the body of dinnerware. It can be done through ram pressing, wheel throwing, slip casting, or manually.

The last step is to heat the dinnerware's body in an industrial oven at high temperatures. After heating, the dinnerware is left to cool down to room temperature. The new dinnerware is ready to be packed and shipped to the crockery stores so people can choose a desirable design to serve the next dinner.

Which is Best?

Now it's time to compare ceramic vs. porcelain dinnerware, which is better.
Porcelain is hard; that's why it has more strength. It is white and transmits light. Porcelain dinnerware is heated at high temperatures during its manufacturing, that's why it is highly resistant to thermal shocks. You will enjoy all these benefits at a high cost.

On the other hand, ceramic dinnerware is also resistant to heat and is durable. It is also hard and strong and does not react with other chemicals. That's why it will not react with the food at high temperatures if you reheat it. However, ceramic dinnerware is not resistant to thermal and physical shocks and can break if mishandled. But these dishes are not expensive; if they break, you can buy another dinnerware.

Ceramic dinnerware is a go-to choice if you can handle delicate stuff with care and don't want to spend much. However, porcelain is the best pottery dinnerware.

Pros and Cons of Both Types

This section will tell you about the pros and cons of porcelain and ceramic dinnerware.

Porcelain

Let's take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of porcelain tableware.

Pros

• Versatile
• Heat resistant
• Eco friendly
• Stain resistant
• Non-toxic
• Non-porous
• Translucent

Cons

• Occasional use
• Delicate
• Wash with care
• No colorful options
• Expensive
• No cracks and chips

Ceramic

Let's take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of ceramic tableware.

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Any color available
• Easy to clean
• Stain resistant
• Heat resistant
• Low water absorption
• For everyday use

Cons

• Fragile
• It gets cracks and chips easily
• Heavy and thick
• It does not sustain direct burning

Which is Better for You?

Now you know every difference between ceramic and porcelain dinnerware. Each has its pros and cons. However, we recommend choosing the porcelain dinnerware as it is more health friendly, resists heat, and looks elegant. If you invest in a porcelain dinnerware set and handle it with care while washing and eating, it will look new for years.

Conclusion

Porcelain and ceramic are both good dinnerware options. Ceramic is a good choice for daily usage, but it is not scratch-resistant dinnerware and gets rough with time and demands replacement. That's why its inexpensiveness is not so effective. On the other hand, porcelain has many health benefits besides other characteristics. So why not invest in something healthy?

FAQs

Is porcelain dinnerware durable?

Porcelain is non-porous, temperature resistant, and dishwasher safe; that's why it is a durable form of ceramic dinnerware.

What is the healthiest dinnerware?

Food-grade stainless steel is the healthiest dinnerware as it does not have anything harmful. It is also durable and does not rust or break.

Does porcelain break easily?

Porcelain dinnerware can crack if we heat it quickly. Also, it can break when it shakes in the dishwasher. If handled with care, porcelain does not break easily and can be used as daily household dinnerware.