The Types Of Crockery Available

For many crockery is simply a pile of plates and bowls that sit in the cupboard only being used at meal times and in some cases venturing out on special occasions. However, the world of crockery is vast; there are many different types, each with their own properties and extremely individual aesthetics. The right selection of tableware can truly make a dinner party shine, acting as the perfect accompaniment to good company and excellent food.

Fundamentally the word crockery usually refers to dinnerware. Granted these include plates and bowls but modern sets now incorporate far more, items such as salad bowls, saucers and cups as well as individual dishes for certain types of cuisine. Ultimately the choice of crockery defines your own taste and style, hence the importance of research when choosing a set. After all, at a dinner party having a tableware set that accentuates your own personality is a reflection on your lifestyle. It is hoped that the following article will set out the types of dinnerware available to consumers.

Ceramics are some of the most widely available and most commonly used forms of crockery. It is a broad term however that covers many different types of materials. Fundamentally anything that is made from pottery is deemed to be ceramic; this includes porcelain, earthenware and stoneware.

 Porcelain has its own separate category in the world of crockery. It is certainly classed as ceramic although in comparison to some types is markedly more expensive. For those looking to buy this the way to identify porcelain is to hold it up to the light, true porcelain will be translucent. Many porcelain items are considered as collector's items, as a result a higher price is normal.

Stoneware is another variety of ceramic. It is regarded by many to be one of the more rugged forms of crockery, able to withstand temperature extremes. As such some stoneware items can be used in the oven or the refrigerator without damage. Another advantage of stoneware is that it can be washed in the dishwasher and is unlikely to stain if used to store liquids.

Glass is becoming an increasingly popular form of crockery in tableware sets. Understandably it is relatively fragile and as such extreme temperature changes should be avoided. Glass is an extremely elegant dinnerware type and frequently used for special occasions, it can however be expensive so for some the disadvantages outweigh the advantages.

 One of the lesser used materials for crockery in this part of the world is stainless steel. Ultimately this is robust and extremely hard wearing. In the Far East it is frequently used and it can be particularly useful for those who live in hard water areas.

Hopefully this article has highlighted some of the more common types of crockery out there on the market. Ultimately the choice is down to personal preference but as always, a dedicated research process should result in elegant and practical crockery for the home.