The Ultimate Guide for Buying and Caring for Stoneware

TLDR: Stoneware is a durable and versatile material that can be used for cooking, baking, and serving. When choosing quality stoneware, look for pieces that are heavy, have a smooth finish, and are dishwasher-safe. Our tips for picking a quality made piece will help you pick stoneware, dinnerware, dishes, and vessels that will last a lifetime.

What is stoneware?

Stoneware is a type of ceramic that is made from high-fired clay that is fired in a kiln at temperatures in excess of 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Stoneware is known for its durability, heat resistance, and versatility and is used for cooking, baking, serving, and even as decorative pieces.

What to look for and how to buy quality made stoneware

If you are looking for handcrafted, quality-made stoneware, there are a few things you should keep in mind when shopping to ensure that the investment you make is a good one.

Stoneware is a very durable material with a dense clay body, so it should be able to withstand everyday use without chipping or cracking. In general, stoneware does not break easily. You can test the durability of a piece of stoneware by lightly tapping a piece on a hard surface. If it feels hollow or breaks or chips easily, then this is not a good quality stoneware piece.

Heat resistance

Stoneware is oven-safe and can withstand temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. This means you can use it to cook, bake, and serve food. Just be careful not to quickly change the temperature of your stoneware. Taking a stoneware piece from hot temperatures to very cold temperatures can cause the piece to break because of the quick temperature change. It’s best to check with the manufacturer to see if your stoneware serveware can be used in the oven, but generally broiling or exposure to minimal heat in an oven is generally acceptable with stoneware pieces.

Design

Stoneware is available in a variety of designs, from simple and elegant to rustic and traditional. Choose a design that you love, and that will complement your unique style, your dining room décor, and your table and place settings.

Avoid cutting cutting and scraping metal on the glaze

Yes, most cutlery is metal, and yes you can use metal cutlery with your glazed stoneware pieces, but be advised metal cutlery can create scraps on the stoneware glaze and the harder you dig or scrape into the glaze the more pronounced the marks will be. These marks can be polished out with a product like Barkeeper’s Friend, but it’s best to cut your meats or slice your bread on a non-stoneware surface. If you like a paninade used look then this may not be a big issue for you.

Yes, it is microwave safe, but not always oven safe

Stoneware is also microwave-safe, so you can use it to heat up food quickly in the microwave. While most stoneware is oven-safe you need to be careful how you use it in the oven. You never want stoneware to be in the oven for extended periods of time or at a really high heat. We recommend broiling in stoneware for a short amount of time – think getting the cheese bubbly and crunchy on a french onion soup. Avoid baking in stoneware because stoneware if heated too hot, too fast has a tendency to crack. Also if your stoneware is hot don’t dunk it in cold water to clean it. Changing the temperature of stoneware too quickly can cause it to crack.

Stoneware is dishwasher safe, but we recommend handwashing

Stoneware is dishwasher-safe, so you can easily clean it after every use. If you don’t have a dishwasher, then your stoneware will clean up nicely with a mild dish detergent handwashed in the sink. We always prefer to handwash our stoneware pieces because some dishwashers can get too hot and some detergents can be too abrasive, but generally you’re fine to run your stoneware in the dishwasher. But remember to never, ever use baking soda or vinegar in your dishwasher if you run out of detergent as this can permanently damage stoneware and many other types of dishes too. And again, if you are handwashing, just be sure to use a non-abrasive scrubbing brush or sponge. While stoneware dinnerware doesn’t damage easily, you never want to scratch up your stoneware’s finish with an abrasive cleaning pad or wire brush.

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