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The World of (1) Porcelain (2) Earthenware (3) Porcelain
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by: DianaRichards
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Word Count: 502
Let's take a tour around the typical kitchen. You will see various bowls, plates, mugs, and cups, but have you ever stopped to consider what they are made out of? Your typical dinner set is made out of three main materials, namely earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain. Most of us have heard of these materials before, but don't know what the differences are. This article will help to shed some light on this issue...
Earthenware
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Earthenware is a "low-fired" clay. This white and porous clay is fired at a low temperature, usually around'15 degrees Fahrenheit. It is sometimes called "ceramics" or "ceramic ware".
Stoneware
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Unlike Earthenware, Stoneware is a "high-fired" clay. Usually fired at about 2185 degrees Fahrenheit, it is much stronger as a result. As a result of this firing, it becomes vitreous (i.e.: becomes like glass), and is sturdy and chip-resistant.
Porcelain
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A number of different ingredients are used to make porcelain. The main material is a pale clay, like china white. Other materials that are incorporated are: glass, feldspar, and granite...which are ground, and then added to the clay. Water is added to make the mixture easy to work with. Worked into the desired shape, the mixture is then fired in a bisque kiln (at a moderate temperature). After glazing and then a "high-temperature" firing, the result is a piece of pottery that is both translucent and delicate.
Telling the Difference
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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) First check to see if it is porcelain. Unlike stoneware and earthenware, porcelain is translucent. Hold the piece up to the light? What do you see? If you can see some light shining through...then it's 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) If the piece looks like hand-made pottery, then it is stoneware. Stoneware, unlike earthenware, will have a texture to it.
4) Does the item you are holding have a chip in it? If so, take a look at it. Is it very white and "chalky" looking? Can you scrape off more material with your fingernail? If so, it's probably earthenware. We say this because earthenware, when fired, has a white, chalky look. Stoneware, on the other hand, 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.
About the Author
Learn more about the world of the dinner set. Stop by Diana Richards's site where you can find out all about dinner sets, and which one will work best for you.
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