What is the Difference Between Earthenware, Stoneware, and Porcelain?

If we look around a typical American kitchen what will we find? Appliances like a stove, a fridge, and a dishwasher, sure…but what about in the cupboard? You will probably see lots of bowls, mugs, plates, and cups. Pretty designs and various shapes, but have you ever stopped to consider what they are made out of? Plastic in the “more economical” kitchens perhaps, but most are made out of three main materials: earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain. We may have heard of these materials before…but what are they? We will be exploring the differences between these three materials in this article.

Earthenware
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Made from a white and porous clay, Earthenware is what is known as a “low-fired” clay. Fired at a low temperature (usually around’15 degrees Fahrenheit), it is sometimes called “ceramic ware” or “ceramics”.

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 we need to see if it is porcelain. Porcelain (unlike earthenware and stoneware) is translucent, so light will shine through it. If you hold the piece up to the light, what do you see? If you see some light shining through, then it is 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) Stoneware also has a “look” of hand-made pottery. This means that stoneware will have a texture to it. Earthenware will not.

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) Is any part of the item is unglazed, see if there is textured clay showing through. If so, it’s 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.

Want to find out more about earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain, then visit Diana Richards’s site on how to choose the best dinner set for your needs.