STONEWARE VS MELAMINE

Sometimes, it might seem a little bit confusing to select dinnerware that will suit your planned occasion, but with so much available right now, you might end up making the wrong choice of dinnerware.

Today, we will be looking at stoneware vs melamine dishes. Are they the same? What characteristics do they have that will help you make informed decisions on when and how to use them to your advantage?

We all know that stoneware is in the same family as ceramic, but does a stoneware dinner plate have the same properties as ceramic dinnerware?

As a reminder, I have covered previously melamine plates vs ceramic dishes.

Without much ado, join me as we highlight the difference between stoneware and melamine dinnerware sets.

MELAMINE DINNERWARE

Have you ever seen beautifully colored well-designed dinnerware sets that you could hardly resist?

They could be melamine dishes, they are known for having colorful patterns and designs which is why they a go-to-dinnerware for outdoor and indoor activities.

Melamine dishes can add glamour and joy to your event effortlessly because of their beauty, they are supercooled colorful plates, bowls, and cups.

However, Melamine plates aren’t all about colors, they are made up of a type of hard plastic called melamine resin, giving it lightweight properties like Corelle, you can carry them around without feeling tired or having weak hands.

In addition, Melamine plates are also resistant to breaking, easy to stack, and not suitable for hot temperatures or serving hot meals, so keep them away from ovens and microwaves.

It’s not rocket science to take care of Melamine dinnerware, you simply wash it with mild soap and water after meals.

Melamine plates can stay bright for a long time and don’t scratch. Modern melamine plates are made with high quality which is BPA-Free.

Finally, melamine plates/dinnerware sets are great for everyday meals, camping, RV, picnic, wedding, BBQ, dessert, brunch, bread, salad, sandwich, sushi, and appetizers.

STONEWARE DINNER SETS

In layman’s terms, we can start by saying that stoneware dinner sets are like a mix of clay and rock, it is this special mix that makes them strong and durable!

Like Bone china and Porcelain, Stoneware is in the ceramic family. As with every dinnerware, Stoneware is composed of clay, feldspar, silica, ball clay, and other additives that pass through a vitrification process resulting in a dense and durable material.

It’s like magic! This unique composition is what gives stoneware its fantastic properties, like being strong, retaining heat, and looking pretty cool on the dinner table.

You can use Stoneware dinnerware for all sorts of yummy meals like pasta, soup, or even your favorite cereal. They come in cool colors and designs, making your meals even more fun!

Taking care of a stoneware dinner set is quite simple; cleaning is a breeze, wash with soap and water, they are also dishwasher safe but we recommend you always check the manufacturer’s instructions.

Don’t use knives on stoneware dishes so you don’t scratch them, also avoid overheating stoneware in the microwave oven as they might get too hot and break, we recommend the use of Corelle dishes in the microwave oven as they don’t get hot or extremely hot.

Stoneware dinnerware sets are awesome because they can handle both hot and cold food without getting too fussy.

They keep your food warm and look pretty cool on the table. So, treat them kindly, and they’ll be your trusty mealtime buddies for a long, long time!

Finally, Stoneware dishes can keep our food warm for longer without getting cold quickly, just like heated plates for the elderly but with a difference.

STONEWARE VS MELAMINE

Below are the key differences between stoneware and melamine dishes:

Stoneware is made from clay, feldspar, silica, and other ingredients while melamine is a combination of melamine resin and fiber.

Stoneware is heavy while melamine dishes are lightweight.

Stoneware dishes are more prone to breakage when dropped compared to melamine dishes.

Stoneware dishes are prone to chipping and scratching with regular use while melamine dishes are less prone to chipping and scratching.

Stoneware dishes can withstand certain high temperatures, suitable for oven and microwave use while melamine isn’t suitable for use in the oven or microwave due to low heat resistance.

Stoneware typically has a natural, rustic look with various glazes and colors while melamine is available in a wide range of colors and designs.

Stoneware dinnerware sets are generally considered safe for food use, but some may contain lead-based glazes while Melamine is considered safe for food use but should not be used with hot foods or liquids.

Finally, in terms of pricing, stoneware dishes are more expensive due to the material and manufacturing process while melamine dishes are more affordable compared to stoneware dishes.

STONEWARE VS PORCELAIN

Even though stoneware and porcelain are from the same ceramic dinnerware material, they are not the same, below are the major distinct differences between stoneware dishes and porcelain dishes;

Stoneware is lighter in color but more opaque than Porcelain dishes.

Stoneware dishes are fired at lower temperatures between 1,200 – 1,300 degrees Celsius while Porcelain is fired at higher temperatures between 1,200 – 1,400 degrees Celsius.

Porcelain dishes are more delicate, less prone to chipping, durable, and refined than stoneware dishes.

Porcelain dishes appear translucent and thinner in design while stoneware dishes are generally thicker.

The glaze in stoneware dishes appears less vibrant while porcelain glazes appear more vivid and glossy.

Stoneware dishes are less dense with higher water absorption (around 1-5%) while Porcelain is denser with lower water absorption (around 0.5-2%).

Stoneware dishes are more suitable for casual settings while Porcelain is preferred for formal occasions and decorative pieces.

Finally, Stoneware dishes are more affordable compared to porcelain dishes. Porcelain dishes are more expensive due to their refined and delicate nature.

WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF STONEWARE

Below are some of the disadvantages of stoneware dishes;

Stoneware dishes are less durable and prone more to breakage, cracking, and chipping than bone china or porcelain dishes.

For senior citizens with arthritis or mobility issues, stoneware isn’t a good option because of its weight.

Stoneware may be more susceptible to cracking when exposed to extreme temperature changes, like moving from the freezer to a hot oven.

Some stoneware pieces may not distribute heat evenly, leading to uneven cooking or baking results.

Certain stoneware products might not be microwave-safe due to the risk of uneven heating and potential damage.

BONE CHINA VS STONEWARE

Bone china consists of Feldspar, Kaolin, quartz, and bone ash while stoneware doesn’t contain bone ash.

Bone china is lighter in weight than stoneware dishes.

Bone china is more durable and resistant to chips and breaks more than stoneware dishes.

Bone china is a preferred choice of dinnerware for everyday use more than stoneware dinnerware sets.

Bone china is transparent and you can see through under light but stoneware dishes are blunt in terms of translucency.

Bone china is fired at a lower temperature of about 1100 degrees Celsius less than Stoneware dishes fired above 1200 degrees.

Stoneware dishes are thicker in design while Bine china are thinner.

Bone china is 100% safe from toxins but some poorly made stoneware or glazed stoneware might contain lead or cadmium.

EARTHENWARE DINNERWARE

Earthenware dinnerware still falls in the category of ceramic types. It is called earthenware because they are made from clay that becomes strong when it is baked in a hot oven.

We can also say that Earthenware is a heavy ceramic, this heavy feature makes it sturdy and for casual purposes.

Based on the clay constituents, Earthenware dishes are usually brown or red, most times they are painted by hand, and their composition makes them fragile dinnerware.

One of the disadvantages of Earthenware dinnerware sets is that they are not suitable for microwave and oven use, we recommend you avoid temperature changes with your earthenware dish.

In addition, earthenware is porous based on the material which is predominantly clay, so it absorbs liquid and stains easily.

To keep your Earthenware dishes looking nice, you should wash them gently with soap and water. Never put them in the dishwasher as they might get damaged except as advised by the manufacturer.

Also, avoid using metal utensils on them, as they can scratch the surface.

Remember, treat your Earthenware dishes with love, and they will stay beautiful and useful for a long time!

TYPES OF DINNER PLATES MATERIAL

What makes a dinnerware different from another is the material they are made up of, you can’t separate a dinnerware from its material, all features stem from the type of dinnerware material.

Below are the most popular types of dinner plates material you are likely to see everyday around you and you must have used it for one occasion or the other;

The first type of dinnerware material we have is Ceramic material and under Ceramic, we have the following;

Porcelain: As discussed above, Porcelain is a type of ceramic made from fine clay, porcelain plates are more delicate and translucent.

They are elegant and often used for formal occasions and high-quality Porcelain has been labeled lead-free.

Other dinner plate materials include;

• Stoneware
• Bone China
• Glass: Glass plates are transparent or colored and can be stylish for serving desserts or appetizers.
• Melamine
• Bamboo: Environmentally friendly, bamboo plates are biodegradable and offer a natural, rustic look.
• Stainless steel; these dinner plate materials are corrosion-resistant, durable, hygienic, and heat-resistant.
  

WHICH DINNERWARE SET MATERIAL IS BEST FOR HEALTH?

When it comes to health, there are three dinnerware materials that we recommend that are safe, they are bone china, vitrified glass, and food-grade stainless steel dishes.

WHICH IS BETTER CERAMIC OR MELAMINE?

Ceramic and melamine dishes are both popular dishes, to say which is better between these two dinnerware is to carefully look at what meets your needs.

For example, if you want dinnerware that is heat/ temperature resistant, durable, and perfect for the microwave, dishwasher, and even most ovens, then you should settle for ceramic dishes.

However, if you want a dinnerware that has beautiful colors, lightweight, and perfect for the outdoors, then melamine is recommended.

In addition, ceramic dishes are perfect for serving both hot and cold food while melamine isn’t recommended for serving hot food and even for use in the microwave.

So, you see, it is the features of the dinnerware that fuel your decision-making process.

In conclusion, based on versatility, strength, durability, and function, ceramic dishes are better off than melamine dishes.