Sourcing Crockery

Sourcing the perfect crockery for your business is an essential part of preparing a menu. Although style, colour and texture play a pivotal part in the selection process, the type of material is often the most important. Crockery can be constructed by a number of different materials, which means selecting the right type for your dishes can seem overwhleming. To help ensure you make the right decision when choosing from our extensive range, we have put together this simple and easy to follow guide.

FINE BONE CHINA

Fine Bone China is a type of porcelain. It is primarily composed of two materials; animal bone ash and porcelain clay. It is fired at a slightly lower temperature than porcelain which allows it to form into a very lightweight, translucent, and delicate to touch material. Fine Bone China is the strongest ceramic in the world. it has a very high mechanical and physical strength, it is highly chip resistant and it is known for its high levels of whiteness. Most Fine Bone China is dishwasher, microwave and oven safe.

NEW BONE CHINA

New Bone China has the exact same attributes as Fine Bone China, excluding the use of animal bone ash. In its place an innovative mixture of Alumina Oxide is used, which has the same mechanical and physical strength as bone. This more ethical approach has been widely celebrated and is quickly becoming the most popular type of Bone China.

PORCELAIN/ CHINA

Porcelain and China are both terms that refer to crockery that has been made from fine-particle clay. The fineparticle clay is typically comprised of Feldspar, Kaolin and Quartz and is fired at a higher temperature than other types of crockery. This process creates a non-porous material, which is extremely durable and also allows the body of the item to be thinner and more delicately constructed, giving it a translucent appearance. It also allows for shaped details to be incorporated into items body, allowing for maximum creativity. Most Porcelain/ China is dishwasher, microwave and oven safe unless the manufacturer indicates otherwise.

VITRIFIED CERAMIC

Crockery that has been vitrified is highly non-porous. Porous crockery is weak and susceptible to breakages. The vitrification firing process eradicates imperfections such as moisture and air pockets, resulting in the creation of an extremely nonporous material that has superior strength. Vitrification occurs at very high heats and enables the creation of a heavier and thicker material, that has the ability to retain heat. Within the firing process, Alumina Oxide is also added for extra strength, making vitrified ceramics seriously tough which is perfect for commercial-use.

STONEWARE

Stoneware is thicker and more opaque than finer materials like porcelain and china. During the firing process, a vitreous (glass) material is added, which makes stoneware extremely strong. This material addition and the fact that the firing temperature is lower than porcelain and vitrified ceramics allows for the introduction of a variety of glaze textures such as gloss, satin or matt.

EARTHENWARE

Often less expensive than other types of dinnerware, earthenware is a ceramic material that has been glazed and fired at a lower temperature. Typically used for hand-painted designs it offers a thick, heavy, and rustic look and feel. Earthenware is often porous, which means it is not as durable and strong as other types of dinnerware and can be prone to cracking, chipping and shattering.

VITRIFIED GLASS

Vitrified Glass Dinnerware has been fired at an ultra-high temperature making it non-porous and extremely durable. It is three times stronger than porcelain and 100% non-porous. Due to being non-porous, vitrified glassware is extremely hygienic and also has the ability to retain heat making it an ideal option for aged care, childcare centres and any outdoor dining.

ENAMELWARE

Enamelware has a porcelain enamel finish and is generally made of two different types of enamel; Agateware and Graniteware. Agateware is distinctive due to its design which has circular multi-coloured curves and bands. Graniteware's main component is granite, which gives it a distinct finish and colour. Enamelware is popular in kitchens due to enamel’s strength and heat conductive abilities. It is also extremely smooth which creates a stain resistant and non-stick surface.

MELAMINE

Melamine is a BPA-free organic-based compound used to manufacture a range of products including; cooking utensils, plates, serving platters, tumblers and more. Melamine resin is durable, fire and heat resistant and virtually unbreakable. Its durable and almost indestructible construction has seen melamine products increase in popularity in commercial hospitality environments over the last few years.

Cafe Nero

The stoneware Cafe Nero range from Essentials Collection has an on-trend handmade-look design, suitable for contemporary settings. This range includes uniquely shaped pieces in earthy, natural colours which have been specifically selected to enhance a variety of dish types.

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