Inexpensive Yet Durable Tableware

Who amongst us hasn't bought tableware we thought would last a few years only to find it chipping and cracking within months just from normal use and cleanup?

Manufacturers have a standard by which they rate the durability of tableware, from the least durable to most durable: dishwasher safe, microwave safe, oven safe, then dishwasher, microwave and oven safe, and finally freezer to oven to table. Let's go over them one by one.

Dishwasher Safe

There are many inexpensive brands of dishwasher safe tableware, but we like Melamine plastic the best. Tough, durable Melamine is a lightweight plastic composite, perfect for outdoor use and families with children as it does not shatter or chip as easily glass or porcelain dinnerware. While heat resistant, Melamine will craze or blister if placed close to a heat source. For that reason you want to place it in in the bottom shelf of your dishwasher and never use it in the oven or microwave. Melamine will last longer if you do not cut on your plate, and wash by hand.

Melamine plastic tableware is available in a wide variety of patterns, including designer styles and copies of expensive bone china.

Melamine plastic tableware is perfect for busy families with children, and outdoor use. While Melamine cannot be used in the microwave or oven, it is perfect for serving your family dinner without the worries of shattering glass or porcelain should a piece fall to the floor. Click on the pictures to go to Amazon and read reviews or purchase Melamine products.

Microwave Safe

Most porcelain and china tableware, some melamine, nordicware, and other plastic composites, are microwave safe.

Progressive International and Nordicware both make dishes that are suitable for the microwave.

Oven Safe

Corningware is oven safe, as is stoneware and high tempered glass such as Pyrex.

While you won't find many dishes that are safe (or practical) for high temperature oven baking, you will find a good selection of mugs, soup bowls, casserole and au gratin dishes, and other servingware.

Microwave, Oven, and Dishwasher Safe

Our hands down favorite is Corelle. Made of a special formula called "Vitrelle" or Vitrelle 2", Corelle has withstood the test of generations. You can purchase new products online, direct from the manufacturer at corelle.com, or through Amazon.com.

Corelle has long been a family favorite for lightness and durability. While not shatterproof it does resist nicks and scratches much better than other tableware. Corelle has a complete line of tableware. 16 piece sets generally include a dinner plate, salad plate, soup bowl and cup. Because the material used in Corelle may shatter from hot liquids, the cups are made of porcelain rather than vitrelle. Accessory and serving pieces are available. Click on the pictures to go to Amazon and read reviews or purchase Corelle products.

According to Corelle's website, ""Corelle’s Livingware™, Vive™, Impressions™, and Square™ lines of glass dinnerware are made from “Vitrelle 1”, the original Corelle glass material known for its strength, durability, and versatility. Corelle® Pro™ is made from “Vitrelle 2”, a glass product made in the same hub lamination process but with a core glass that is 70 percent thicker than our original material.

We are so confident in the strength and durability of our dinnerware , we offer a three-year warranty on all Vitrelle® glass dinnerware items and a five-year warranty on all Vitrelle® 2 glass dinnerware items. Corelle® will replace any Vitrelle® dinnerware item that breaks or chips under normal household use. "

HowStuffWorks has a very interesting video about how Vitrelle is made HERE.

Corelle patterns are classic and do not change often, so check flea markets, garage sales, Freecycle and Craigslist to fill your needs and hunt down extra pieces at low cost.

Freezer to Oven to Table

The most durable of all tableware, items marked 'freezer to oven to table" are designed to withstand sudden extreme temperature changes without damage.

While expensive, Emile Henry's line of Ceradon tableware and bakeware is worth every penny. Their beautiful everyday dishes can go from 0 degrees to 500 degrees farenheit, they are extremely strong and durable, with a very hard glaze that resists chips and scratches. Emile Henry comes with a 3 year warranty against any defects.

You can find a wide range ramekins, soup bowls, casseroles and other tableware from other makers at reasonable prices.

Rachel Ray has an outstanding line of brightly colored, modern designed pieces that are very reasonably priced. Her bubble and brown selection is made of high fired stoneware, however it does come with some cautionary warnings - avoid subjecting the tableware to extreme changes in temperature (let cool down before putting into the freezer) and do not bake over 500 degrees.