The most beautiful and delicate material used as dishware in our kitchen is porcelain and these are considered as the most treasured family heirlooms. We always want the dishes made from porcelain to be safe from any harm.
Yes, porcelain is microwave and dishwasher safe particularly those types which are made after the year 1979.
Porcelain is a ceramic material that is hard, brittle, and porous and is made when clay of kaolinite is heated at a high temperature. The porcelain has its typical qualities as the high temperature at which the clay is heated gets mixed with the inherent properties of the clay.
Some of its qualities are low water absorption, high resistance, high density, and low porosity. Though most of the porcelain is microwave safe as well as dishwasher safe, you must go through some checklist before using it. These are–
- Inspect the underside of the dish – Most of the porcelain dishes will show if it is microwave safe and dishwasher safe. If the year of manufacturing mentioned is after 1979, it is considered safe to be used in the dishwasher.
- Check for patterns on the porcelain dish – It is essential for the porcelain dishware to not have metallic detailing. The dishware having metals on the sides should not be used in a microwave and should not be left on a full-hearted drying cycle in a dishwasher.
- Observe the glaze in the porcelain dishware – The dishware with lead glaze is not microwave safe and if it is used in the microwave, it will develop a brownish tint on it. Such dishware should be washed by hand only.
Does porcelain break easily?
No, porcelain does not break easily. It can break but generally withstand pressure and heat to some extent and is thus known to be durable. Porcelain dishware is known to chip, crack, and break-resistant but if you hit it hard, it can be damaged.
If proper and careful handling of the porcelain dishes is not done as mentioned by the manufacturers, it can lead to breaking or cracks in the dish. Otherwise, porcelain dishware is known to be freezer, microwave, oven, and dishwasher safe.
To use porcelain dishes for a long time and to protect them from breaking and damage, the following points should be considered:
- Although porcelain dishes are dishwasher safe and durable, it is essential to handle them with proper care. If this is not done, the dishes can crack or break.
- They should not be transferred directly from the freezer (too cold) to the microwave (too hot) as this can cause a crack in the porcelain dishes.
- Even though it is dishwasher safe, you should not treat it in a very high dry cycle and should follow the recommendations given by the manufacturers.
Can you microwave porcelain mugs?
Yes, you can microwave porcelain mugs. You should use only those porcelain mugs which do not have a metal rim around them or have metal for decorative purposes.
If any kind of metal is present, it will not be microwave safe.
While selecting a porcelain mug that can be used in the microwave, you should look for a mug with light color. Mugs with dark glaze have a high level of manganese which does not make the mugs unsafe in the microwave but they can become very hot in it.
If you are not sure whether the porcelain mug that you have is microwave-safe or not, perform the microwave test. For this, put some water in the mug and keep it in the microwave for 1 minute after starting the microwave.
If the mug is cool and the water is hot, it means you can use the mug safely in the microwave.
Does feldspar porcelain get hot in the microwave?
No, feldspar porcelain does not get hot in the microwave. It is white with a slight grey-blue tone and has a translucency body having a high percentage of glass phase. The dishware made from feldspar porcelain is extremely durable as it is fired at a very high temperature of about 1300 -1400 degrees Celsius.
Since feldspar porcelain can be used comfortably in the microwave, it is preferred over many other ceramic dishwares as the price of feldspar porcelain is relatively low as well.
Is porcelain vegan?
Yes, porcelain is vegan as no animal products are used as the ingredients or in the production methods. It is known to be vegan-friendly.
Porcelain is composed of raw materials like feldspar, kaolin, clay, and quartz. Since the raw materials used in it are exposed to very high temperatures, the dishware made from this is hard, translucent, and white.
The other qualities of porcelain dishes are that they have low porosity, high density, and high mechanical resistance.
What type of dinnerware does not get hot in the microwave?
The dinnerware that does not get hot in the microwave should be from one of the below-mentioned materials –
- Glass, porcelain, and ceramic – The dinnerware made from glass, porcelain, and ceramic can go very well in the microwave but if you are not sure then check if the label of ‘microwave-safe is present on the bottom of the dinnerware before using it.
- Bone China and other Earth ware – The dinnerware made from bone China can be used safely in the microwave and they do not get hot as well.
- Melamine – Another dinnerware material that does not get hot in the microwave is melamine which is highly durable and does not break easily.
There are certain dinnerware that cannot be used in the microwave. These are –
- Metals – Dinnerware made up of steel, iron, copper, aluminum, etc should never be used in the microwave. These can damage the dinnerware as well as the appliance.
- Dinnerware with metal designs – Fancy dinner plates with metal designs should not be used in the microwave as metal can produce sparks.
Conclusion
Porcelain comes as beautiful dishware in your kitchen and is subjected to high temperatures during its making so it can be used safely in the microwave and dishwasher. To make it serve you for a longer time, you should handle it with care.
I hope this article is helpful to you. Enjoy beautiful porcelain utensils in your kitchen but be careful!