Porcelain Vs Stoneware – Everything You Need to Know
Updated: Sep 2, 2021
Among many types of ceramic materials out there, porcelain and stoneware are the most widely used. You can find crockery or tableware made from these materials in almost every household and in most classic restaurants.
Though most people consider both these types of tableware to be the same, they are really not. Apart from the fact that stuff made from these materials is highly vitrified, durable and that they both are prepared at high temperatures, there are many differences between the two.
In this article, we will discuss what makes porcelain and stoneware so different and give you some valuable insights so that you can make a more informed decision as to which tableware to go with.
Porcelain Tableware:
Porcelain usually refers to a type of vitrified pottery which is highly translucent, non-porous, and has a smooth white surface. It is used to prepare Arita ware, many kitchenware and tableware, and other dining utensils.
Porcelain is prepared by heating clay or the raw material at a very high temperature of about 1200 to 1400 degrees Celsius which gives it a very smooth and non-opaque look.
The main features of porcelain include its translucent nature, resonance upon being struck, high-temperature resistance, and the freedom to use in both freezers and microwaves without any damage.
Stoneware Tableware:
Stoneware is a bit porous and opaque material, unlike porcelain. It comes in various colors and no just in white. This material is used to prepare tableware of various shapes and sizes at temperatures of about 1100 to 1300 Degrees Celsius.
It is a bit thicker than porcelain which makes it a little heavier but also contributes to its durability and strength. Before being processed it gives out a cool earthy or rusty look that appears great at your dining table or kitchen.
The stuff made from this material is robust, chip-resistant, and scratch-proof due to being prepared from high-fired clay.
Main Features of Porcelain and Stoneware
Thickness and Density
The main thing that makes it possible to distinguish the stoneware and porcelain is the thickness. The stoneware is usually denser than the porcelain.
You can judge if a certain ceramic is a stoneware or the other one by lifting it up a little and if you feel some weight on your hands, it will most likely be stoneware.
Another thing that clearly indicates whether a material is a porcelain or stoneware is to bring it in front of the light. The stoneware being denser does not allow light to pass through it while the porcelain does.
Designs and Shapes
Since porcelain is less dense, it gives more room to the artists for creating fascinating patterns and designs on such tableware. They can easily add twists and curves to the material to make it look classier and more colorful.
Stoneware is very hard to work with and there isn’t much choice of styles and shapes. This is why most decoration pieces like vases and pots are often made from porcelain.
Durability
Though porcelain is strong and can bear frequent wear and tear, still, by comparison, the stoneware lasts longer without getting damaged or losing its original look.
Being prepared at a very high temperature and its greater thickness makes stuff made from this material stronger, heat resistant, and durable.
The Final Finish
Stoneware has a coarser texture than porcelain upon finish. It is less smooth and you feel a certain level of roughness. This roughness can be decreased when the material is glazed but you can still feel it if you look closely.
Porcelain on the other hand has a fine grain look. The material feels smooth, lightweight, and translucent when you hold it. This is among the main features that make these two types of tableware different.
Firing Temperatures
Since both porcelain and stoneware differ in their thickness and texture, that indicates that they are prepared at different temperatures and under different conditions.
As a rule of thumb, porcelain has a firing temperature of about 1200 to 1400 degrees Celsius while the stoneware has about 1100 to 1300 degrees Celsius. This temperature difference accounts for the strength and surface smoothness of the tableware made from these materials.
Due to this fact stoneware is considered more effective for everyday use while porcelain due to being less thick and more delicate, is used often on rare occasions.
Koransha Us: Best Porcelain Tableware Products
Koransha is a 400 hundred years old proud manufacturer of stylish and classic tableware made from porcelain obtained from Arita, Japan. Our signature tableware gives you a fine white grain look that you can use in any event you want.
Our lightweight and translucent porcelain products are known for being heat resistant, non-stick, and extremely sturdy. We urge you to contact us for your future porcelain tableware needs and we assure you will find our work and customer service more than satisfactory.