Stoneware dinnerware is a popular choice in all parts of the world; therefore, the stoneware material is used for colorful dinner plates and other pottery items. The basic foundation of stoneware pottery is clay. It is a ceramic exposed to high temperatures, resulting in a non-porous and chip-resistant material. The temperature treatment given to the dense pottery also makes it crack- and liquid-resistant.

The beautiful prints and colorful dinner plates of stoneware might be your favorite. However, making sure that they always look new and untouched is yet another task to do. Therefore, having the upright knowledge of protecting your dinnerware from unwanted damage and taking care of it is necessary.

In today’s article, we will describe how to care for your favorite stoneware set you bought from the market. We will guide you on regularly using your colorful dinnerware sets made of stoneware, washing, cleaning, and storing these dinner sets. So let’s get into it.

Usage Tips

Let’s start with tips on taking care of your stoneware pottery for day-to-day use.

Seasoning Your Stoneware Dinnerware

Seasoning refers to enhancing the non-stick properties of your dinner set to prevent food from sticking to the glaze surface. Once you buy a new stoneware set, it’s better to season it before using it. The first step is to wash the dinnerware and let it dry thoroughly. Rub a small amount of cooking oil on the surface, and let it bake in a preheated oven at 350 F^o for 20 to 30 minutes. You can build as many layers of oil as you want to improve your dinnerware.

Protect From Extreme Temperature Variations

Although the stoneware dinner sets are oven-safe, extreme temperature variations can kill your pottery. The temperature-resistant dinnerware will be prone to cracks and breakage if you’re not taking enough care to avoid exposure to temperature variations.

For instance, you should not remove the pottery from the oven and directly put it into cold water or the freezer. Similarly, taking a plate out of the freezer and directly heating it in the oven can result in breakage. The best practice is to allow the dishes to get to room temperature before washing, heating, or storing.

Read Instructions That Come From Manufacturers

Many times we ignore the user manuals that come with products we have bought from different manufacturers. However, today we want to make sure that you know the importance of the user manuals in case of your dinnerware. Only reading the instructions will let you know if your dinner set is dishwasher safe, oven safe, microwave safe, stove safe, etc. The user manual also contains instructions on maintaining and storing your colorful dinnerware sets.

Don’t Use With Metal Utensils

Another important tip related to using stoneware dinnerware is strictly avoiding metal utensils. Using metal utensils increases the risk of scratches on dinnerware and damage to the glaze layer. Therefore, it is recommended to use plastic or wooden utensils that are gentle on the surface of your stoneware set.

Cleaning and Washing Tips

What are the best practices related to cleaning and washing your stoneware dinner sets? So here is what you need to know:

Avoid Dishwashers

If your stoneware dinner set has the mark of being dishwasher safe, it is safe to wash it in the dishwasher. However, make sure that you stack the stoneware in the top rack of your dishwasher.

In general, we don’t recommend washing stoneware dishes in the dishwasher and washing your dinner set with your hands only to be on the safer side.

Take Extra Care When Serving Acidic Foods

When served in stoneware, acidic foods can threaten the color and glaze of your plates and other crockery items. Therefore, you have to be extra careful when serving acidic foods. You need to employ liners or separate dishes for serving the sauces, citrus fruits, vinegar, etc. On the other hand, if you don’t have an option of alternatives, make sure not to delay cleaning your dishes right after usage.  

Use Mild Detergents

When it comes to using detergents for cleaning and washing dinnerware, we don’t recommend using strong detergents, harmful chemicals, or bleach to remove the stains. You should use mild detergents that are not too hard on the stoneware sets. Carelessness regarding the choice of detergent can also result in a discolored and damaged dinner set.

Carefully Remove Stains

You should not use abrasive cleaners or scouring pads to remove the stains from the dishes. The best practice is to use soft clothes or sponges to get rid of stains and general stains. However, if a stain needs extra attention, you should apply some detergent and allow the dish to stay in warm water for a while. Once the stain goes off, you can clean it with a soft sponge.

Dry Before Storage

Okay, so there are two opinions about drying the stoneware dishes: dry it immediately or let it air dry. However, there is only one opinion of all experts about not storing soaked pottery in the cupboards. We recommend drying the dishes after washing them so that you don’t have to deal with water spots and stains. Use a soft cloth or dish towel to dry it thoroughly.

Storage Tips

What are the best practices for storing your stoneware dishes and colorful dinnerware sets? Here is what you need to know:

Avoid Stacking

Do not ever stack the stoneware dishes or bowls over each other when storing in cupboards or storage places. It will only cause scratching and glaze damage when the plates get in touch which each other. The best practice is to use linen cloth or dividers between plates. If you plan to store plates for a longer period, it is best to wrap each plate in a separate bubble wrap.

Store In Dry Place

Do not store your stoneware dinner sets in damp or moist places as it will encourage bacterial growth, ruining your colorful dinner sets.

Check For Cracks And Glaze Cracks

Last but not least, conduct regular checks for any glaze cracks or general chipping of your stoneware dishes. If you find any glaze cracks, immediately stop using the dish and replace it with others. Why? The glaze cracks can also make your dishes home for bacteria and pose health hazards for your family.

Final Words

To conclude, we will say that these maintenances, storage, and cleaning tips can be very fruitful for you. You can follow these tips to keep your stoneware dinner sets for many dinners to come.