Porcelain, Stoneware, or China - What's the Difference Between Dinnerware Sets?

So, you're looking to find great dinnerware sets for your Canadian restaurant that will help you stand out and achieve the ambiance you want.  The problem is various terms used to describe dinnerware often seem imprecise, or overlap.  What's the difference between materials such as porcelain, china, ceramic, or stoneware?

In this article, we'll quickly disambiguate the terms and help you decide what dinnerware sets would be right for your establishment.

I. Ceramic 

"Ceramic" is a blanket term that encompasses virtually any type of dinnerware that is made from clay and fired in an oven or kiln.  So, porcelain, china, and any kind of pottery are all technically ceramics.  The main difference between them is what additives, colors, and strengtheners are used.  Ceramics are also distinguished by being vitrified, which means heating the clay up to the point the clay itself begins to melt.  This hardens the clay by causing crystalline structures to form at the molecular level.

II. Earthenware Dinnerware

"Earthenware" describes the most simple and basic types of ceramics.  These are made from rough clay with few additives and may not even be fully vitrified.  This also causes earthenware to be quite fragile unless the clay used is extremely thick.   In general, a glaze is necessary to make earthware safe for food, since otherwise, it is quite porous.  Terracotta is a popular type of earthenware. 

In general, earthenware might be too fragile to be viable in commercial kitchen settings.

III.  Stoneware Dinnerware

"Stoneware" is the next step up in strength and quality from earthenware, using more refined clay, more additives, and a better heating process.  Stoneware is sometimes used in commercial settings, although it still needs to be glazed and re-fired to create a food-resistant surface.  Almost any restaurant dinnerware which isn't metal, plastic, or porcelain would be some kind of stoneware.

IV. Porcelain Dinnerware

"Porcelain" is considered one of the highest qualities of ceramic and is distinguished through the use of a fine-grained clay known as kaolin, which is only available in China.  Porcelain is relatively strong, despite being quite thin.  Some porcelain, known as "bone china," incorporates bone dust as an additive.  This adds strength, while also giving the piece a slightly milky and translucent appearance.  

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Zanduco Restaurant Equipment & Supplies carries some of the finest indoor and outdoor dinnerware and China dinnerware suitable for restaurants of any type in Canada.  Click here to shop our beautiful selections of full dinnerware sets and get free shipping on select orders!