Differences Between Stoneware and Ceramic Dishes

• Stoneware is a type of ceramic that’s non-porous, watertight, durable, and is often used to make cookware and other dishes.
• Ceramics is a broad category of materials, but includes items made of natural materials (like clay) that have been shaped for use..
• Choose stoneware for a versatile, cost-effective, visually appealing and reliable cooking and dining material.
• Pick up porcelain dinnerware as a pricier but more durable option, or use earthenware dishes if you don’t mind a more delicate material at a lower price.

What is stoneware?

Stoneware is a non-porous ceramic fired at high temperatures. Stoneware is a type of ceramic which has been fired (or heated) in a kiln (or oven) at temperatures ranging from 2,100–2,370 °F (1,150–1,300 °C), which is fairly high for ceramics, and makes for a durable material. It’s also coated in vitreous (“glass-like”) glazes that seal up its pores and make it watertight. “Vitreous” refers to materials that, like glass, neither stain nor absorb moisture. Unlike glass, however, vitreous materials may not be glossy or sleek.

What is ceramic?

Ceramic is any type of pottery made of clay or earthen materials. It’s a broad category of pottery and other craft forms that includes hand-built sculptures, wheel-thrown pottery, or objects casted in molds, all made from clays or other earthen substances. After they’re assembled, the objects are placed in kilns and heated to high temperatures in order to harden and make them heat-resistant. Ceramics come in 3 major categories: stoneware, earthenware, and porcelain. Earthenware is a porous ceramic fired at relatively low temperatures (1,650–2,190 °F (900–1,200 °C)). Earthenware is most commonly known as terracotta, and often has a reddish or cream color when unglazed. Its surface is rough to the touch, and tends to absorb water relatively quickly. Porcelain is a nonporous ceramic fired at high temperatures (about 2,645 °F (1,452 °C)). It originated in China, and is made from “kaolin” (or white) clay, which has very fine particles that when fired become white in color, strong, and very heat-resistant compared to other ceramics. Bone china, or fine china, is a variety of porcelain that has added materials, like bone ash, which can make it translucent and chip-resistant after firing. It can be shaped into thinner and more delicate designs than typical porcelain.

Key Differences

Durability: Stoneware stands up well to daily use, making it well-suited for cooking and eating. It’s often dishwasher and microwave safe, and tends to resist cracks or chips. Porcelain is the most durable of the lot, though, at least in terms of brute hardness. Earthenware, however, tends to chip and crack easily. Always check the manufacturer’s specifications before microwaving or baking and ceramic dish.

Appearance: Stoneware made for regular use often has a smooth, glossy, pleasant appearance. Think those drool-worthy Le Creuset crocks. Stoneware comes in many colors and forms, from dinnerware to cooking dishes, and can often serve as the centerpiece of any meal. Earthenware is often unglazed and usually comes in the form of terracotta pots, which have a rough, reddish finish. Porcelain is most often white and glossy, and sometimes comes with additional, painted embellishments.

Use: Stoneware is often used for day-to-day cookware and other dishes, like plates, mugs, and bowls, since it’s watertight and holds heat well. Porcelains lean more toward the dinnerware side of things, and less toward cookware, but are also a good bet for mugs, plates, and dishes. Earthenware, meanwhile, is too porous, heat-sensitive, and prone to chipping to be of much use in the kitchen. Not all stoneware is suited for high temperatures in the oven, so check the label or manufacturer’s specifications before you put it under the broiler. In addition, most stoneware can’t withstand direct heat like burners or grills.

Price: Stoneware and porcelain vary in price, but are generally more expensive than alternative materials like stainless steel, plastic, and glass. Earthenware is often less expensive, but also has fewer uses in the kitchen (it typically shouldn’t go in the oven, microwave, or dishwasher, for instance) and is generally less durable.

Which should you choose?

Choose stoneware for versatile and durable everyday use. If you’ve got a little money to spend, definitely drop it on the stoneware. It’s visually appealing, great for baking and cooking, and, best of all, is perhaps the most versatile of the lot. While it’s not quite a durable as porcelain, what it might lack in toughness it makes up for in affordability.

Go for porcelain for more durable, but pricier, kitchenware. Porcelain and stoneware are very similar, but stoneware just edges out porcelain when it comes to versatility and price. For that reason, we recommend choosing porcelain for your fancier dining sets, like a posh set of china to bring out on holidays or other big occasions.

Pick up earthenware for budget dinnerware. Sorry, earthenware. You’re just outclassed in the kitchen! That said, earthenware can make for lovely dinnerware sets you might pick up on the cheap—at least, relatively cheap. Just be sure to handle with care. Earthenware is also indispensable when it comes to planting greenery in terracotta pots, or adding some sculptural decor to your home. Note that many earthenware dish sets are bespoke, or have been meticulously decorated, which may up their value relative to a more plain earthenware set.