CROCKERY

​Bone china is porcelain made of clay mixed with bone ash. This is veryfine, hard china that is very expensive. The decorations are to be found under the glaze only. The price of bone china puts it out of reach of the majority of everyday caterers, and only a few of the top-class hotels and restaurants would use it. The range of design, pattern and colour is very wide and there is something to suit all occasions and Situations.

Porcelain is a ceramic material made by heating selected and refined materials, which often includes clay of kaolinite clay, to high temperatures. The raw materials for porcelain, when mixed with water, form a plastic body that can be worked to a required shape before firing in a kiln at temperatures between 1200°C and 1400°C. The toughness, strength, and translucence of porcelain arise mainly from the formation of glass at high temperatures and the mineral malate within the fired Body.

Earthenware may sometimes be as thin as bone china and other porcelain, though it is not translucent and is more easily chipped. Earthenware is also less strong, less tough, and more porous than stoneware, but its low cost and easier working compensate for these deficiencies. Due to its higher porosity, earthenware must usually be glazed in order to be watertight.

Stoneware is hard pottery made from siliceous paste fired at high temperature to vitrify (make glassy) the body. Stoneware is heavier and more opaque than porcelain. The usual colour of fired stoneware tends to be greyish, though there may be a wide range of colours, depending on the clay.

Alumina enriched crockery can normally be spotted due to its creamy colour. Alumina is an oxide of aluminium which is added to the clay to give it additional strength. Though the addition of alumina makes the crockery more expensive than standard porcelain, it is generally cheaper than bone china, making it a popular alternative.

Terracotta is a traditional Spanish material often used in both oven & tableware. It has unique properties that react with acidic foods such as tomato sauce, giving natural sweetness to the meal. Its colour can instantly be recognized and is often associated with Mediterranean Cooking.

Melamine is a strong, lightweight and hard thermosetting plastic. It is used as an ideal hygienic and durable alternative to china. It is virtually unbreakable so is considered for daily use and it can also resist scratching, staining and is dishwasher safe.

Ceramics are generally made by taking mixtures of clay, earthen elements, powders, and water and shaping them into desired forms.  Once the ceramic has been shaped, it is fired in a high temperature oven known as a kiln.  Often, ceramics are covered in decorative, waterproof, paint-like substances known as glazes.

Opalware is manufactured under the most advanced German technology as per European standards and is made from extra strong glass for durability.  Opalware is 100 percent vegetarian, bone ash-free, and made of green material. Opalware sets are made out of opal glass and are non-porous which means it does not absorb food particles and is bacterial-free, which makes the dinnerware 100 percent safe and hygienic.  Opalware sets are high grade non-toxic (lead-free) sets making them extremely safe for health.  Opalware sets are resistant to thermal shock which makes them safe.

Items made of wood can be used to store dry fruits or can be used to serve the food. These are not useful to store or eat food which requires cleaning with water.