Guide to Buying Tableware

Porcelain is traditionally made from a silicone material called kaolin that gives porcelain products their flexibility, plasticity and strong structure. Porcelain dinnerware is also made from pottery stone, which gives the material its hardness and translucency, as well as its non-porous surface. Porcelain is an extremely strong dinnerware material, as it is:

• Capable of being fired at up to 1200 degrees centigrade
• Dishwasher safe
• Oven safe
• Microwave safe (however if the piece has a metallic accent, don’t put it in the microwave) 

Looking to Royal Doulton again, our friends there have been manufacturing ceramics and porcelain since 1815, so when it comes to porcelain dinnerware, they’re the highest quality choice. Our personal favourites from Royal Doulton’s porcelain collections include 1815 (a vibrant and colourful range of porcelain) and Pacific (rigorously tested porcelain that’s highly durable and perfect for everyday use).

‘There is no wrong or right way in selecting a tableware set. However, it is important to think of the various occasions and style of occasions it will be used for, and the type of food that will be served in it. The personality of a tableware set has an important role in setting the mood of an occasion.’

There are many different items that can make up a dinnerware set, such as:

• Dinner plates
• Multi-purpose bowls for cereal, soups, noodles, stir-fries and so on
• Side plates for salads, starters, desserts and tapas-style meals
• Bread and butter plates
• Mugs and teacups
• Saucers
• Trays
• Serving platters
• Knives, forks and spoons

You can have your favourite pieces that you use every day, or you can have a special set that comes in handy when hosting friends and family. The choice is up to you! 

A good idea is to buy a dinnerware set that accommodates the number of people in your household, such as the Wedgwood Gio Set for four people or the Wedgwood Gio Gold Set for a single diner. 

Wedgwood Dinner Sets come in a host of different sizes and configurations, ranging from two to twenty-six piece sets. Here are some examples of what is included in a variety of our standard dinner set sizes.

Wedgwood china dinner sets are strong and durable in their essence, however there are still measures you can take to make sure you are serving your family and friends on your Wedgwood china dinnerware for years to come.

Here are some tips for washing your Wedgwood china dinnerware set:

• Wash dishes straight away to remove any acidic or sticky food residue.
• When handwashing, wash each dish individually using a mild liquid detergent and a non-abrasive cloth. Having a plastic tuc in the sink is also a good idea, as it will protect the china from the harsh stainless steel of the sink.
• If using a dishwasher, take care not to overload the rack, and keep metal items away from your fine bone china - even light contact can scratch, chip or crack your dishes. 

Here are some tips for keeping your Wedgwood china dinnerware in stunning condition:

• Soak your pieces in white vinegar for three minutes before rinsing and towel drying them to remove hard water spots.
• Remove coffee stains from mugs (as well as fork marks from plates) by rubbing a paste of baking soda and water over the dinnerware before rinsing and drying. 
• To prevent scratching and chipping your fine bone china dinner set, put it in a fabric storage case, or put segments of fabric, tissue paper or napkins between each piece when stacking. 

You can see our full Care Guide and Bone China material guide to ensure your Wedgwood products last the test of time.