What is Crockery? A Beginner's Glossary to Tableware Materials

While standing in the ‘home goods’ aisle, have you ever wondered why each plate differs from the others in textures and materials while fulfilling one purpose? In the world of crockery, words like tableware, dinnerware, serveware or bone china are thrown around randomly, but what do all these means?

To pull you away from this confusion, we have prepared a comprehensive glossary for your better and complete understanding of the world of crockery.

What is Crockery and How is it Different from Dinnerware and Tableware?

Crockery is derived from an Old English term for a potter’s clay pot or "crock". It refers to all the dishes made of fired clay or ceramic. It consists of items made of ceramic, porcelain, bone china, earthenware and stoneware. These items include plates, bowls, mugs, cups, saucers and bowls.

It is important to understand the difference between tableware, dinnerware and crockery. As many items are common under each terminology, let’s try to know each one step by step.

Out of the three, tableware is the biggest umbrella as it includes dinnerware, serveware and other utensils made of varied materials including both cutlery and crockery. Tableware has forks and knives made of metal, wine glasses and water tumblers made of glass, tablecloths and napkins made of fabric and all other dining essentials.

Lastly, crockery can be a part of both tableware and dinnerware. Refer to the table below to comprehensively understand major differences between the three.

Understanding Ceramic, Stoneware, Porcelain and Bone China

Now you know, when fired clay turns into different utensils, they are collectively known as crockery, let’s try to understand different types of crockery, their journey and how they transform before becoming part of our kitchen.

Earthenware

It is porous clay fired at the lowest temperature, among the four. The temperature ranges between 1,000 degrees Celsius and 1,150 degrees Celsius. It is thick, heavy and originally rustic. Unglazed earthenware has porous walls. It offers a charming and artisanal look and is the most fragile of the four.

Stoneware

The clay of these vessels is fired at comparatively higher temperatures, that is between 1,200 degrees Celsius and 1,300 degrees Celsius. It is solid, opaque and carries a slight texture. As the name suggests, it is incredibly durable, non-porous and safe for microwave, dishwasher and oven. However, it is noticeably heavy.

Porcelain

When clay is fired at the extreme temperature of 1,400 degrees Celsius, it becomes porcelain. It is white, smooth and much thinner than stoneware. Though it is delicate in appearance, it is durable, hard and non-porous. It serves both purposes of upscale dining and everyday use.

Bone China

It was invented in Britain. Unlike others, it is made by mixing the kaolin clay base used for porcelain and actual animal bone ash. Once made, it features an ivory or warm milky white tone and is the most expensive among all. It is the thinnest option but is the strongest, toughest and is considered the most chip-resistant as well.

How to Choose the Right Crockery for Everyday and Special Occasions?

While picking the right crockery for different purposes, one should find the perfect balance between durability, maintenance and personal lifestyle. There are other common factors that can influence the decision. We have enumerated a few of them.

Decide between one-set or two-set.

You can invest in one durable, high-quality set for both everyday and occasional use or buy two separate pieces, one for everyday use that is resistant to wear and the other a high-quality set made of high-grade white porcelain or fine bone china.

According to the usage.

You can also pick textured stoneware that is cosy, organic and microwave safe for daily use and an elegant porcelain or bone china set for occasional usage.

Pick the right material.

Earthenware adds warmth and a Mediterranean vibe to the table. Stoneware, on the other hand, is organic, modern and carries a rustic look. Porcelain serves a clean, classic aesthetic that can easily go from casual lunch to a formal dinner. Utensils made with this material are lightweight and highly scratch-resistant. Bone china is very thin, highly durable and feather-light but cannot be used in the microwave because of its metallic lining.

If durability is a priority, bone china is the right choice, followed by stoneware and porcelain.

When it comes to maintenance and practicality, stoneware is the best choice but white porcelain will be more suited for special occasions.

If you want to mix and match different elements, porcelain and bone china are your mates. Pick neutral canvases and solid colours for daily use. Try to reserve theme-ready statement pieces for special occasions. Stoneware can also be used as serving plates as it is heavy.

When weight and comfort are concerned, bone china and porcelain are lightweight and stackable. On the other hand, stoneware and earthenware are the heaviest.

Which Crockery Material is Most Durable and Easy to Maintain?

High-fired porcelain is an undisputed winner as it is highly durable and the easiest to maintain. At the same time, it is chip- and crack-resistant. Stoneware can also be a good bet as it is thick and tough. It can also be taken easily from the microwave to the table.

Most bone china utensils have a metallic strip or accent. Though it is highly durable, it is not microwave safe. Earthenware has low durability and is high-maintenance. It chips, cracks and stains easily.

Microwave, Dishwasher and Oven Safety: What You Need to Know?

Though all types of crockery are made of baked clay, they vary in their properties and therefore act differently under different conditions. It is significant to understand how each of these materials, namely ceramic, stoneware, porcelain and bone china, is safe to use in the microwave, dishwasher and oven respectively. The following table will give you a fair understanding of the same.

Common Crockery Terms Every Homeowner Should Know

Before you step into the world of crockery and get confused at every piece of jargon thrown at you, we are here to make you familiar with some common crockery terms.

Open Stock

It is the opposite of buying a set. Unlike a set where you would have to buy an entire collection of mugs, bowls and plates, you may simply buy a few plates through open stock and not invest in extra pieces that you are not planning to use.

Place Setting

This may denote what a place setting consists of. For example, a 4-piece setting includes a dinner plate, a salad or dessert plate, a soup bowl along with a mug.

Charger/Service Plate

This one sits beneath a soup bowl or dinner plate as a decorative plate that provides a base to the main platter while also collecting crumbs or spills during meals.

FAQs

What is crockery?

Crockery includes plates, bowls, cups, mugs and other tableware for serving and eating food, made from ceramic, porcelain or stoneware.

Is crockery and dinnerware same?

Not really. Dinnerware is a wider term that includes crockery, cutlery and other serving pieces while crockery consists of mugs, plates, and bowls made of baked clay.

Which crockery is best?

The best crockery depends on your needs. Ceramic is ideal for everyday use, porcelain offers an elegant look, and stoneware is known for its durability.

What is ceramic crockery?

Ceramic crockery is tableware made from clay that is shaped, fired and often glazed, making it durable, food-safe and suitable for daily use.

Is porcelain better?

Porcelain is generally lighter, stronger and more refined than standard ceramic, making it an excellent choice for both everyday dining and special occasions.

How to maintain crockery?

Wash with a mild detergent, avoid sudden temperature changes, stack carefully to prevent chips, and use only as recommended for microwave or dishwasher use.