Nothing saves time and energy like a microwave. Imagine getting home late at night from work, and you are too tired to fix a meal. So instead, you grab some remaining food from the freezer and heat it.
The problem arises when you are not sure which utensils to use in the microwave. Is porcelain microwave safe? Well, porcelain is microwave safe. However, it would be best to be careful when using it for the first time because you are unsure of its quality.
You see, most porcelain utensils are made in China – a country that doesn’t have a regulated market. Therefore, you may purchase substandard utensils unknowingly.
In addition, we recommend that you only use modern porcelain in the microwave. See, porcelain products were first created in China 2000 years ago. Then in the 16th century, it was adopted by the Europeans.
Ever since porcelain arrived in Europe, it has been subjected to technological development. Due to the advancements, porcelain can now withstand high-temperature levels in the microwave, unlike traditional porcelain.
Now, this leads us to the next question, is porcelain dishwasher safe? Unfortunately, no! Neither Chinese nor European porcelain utensils can withstand high temperatures and harsh detergents from the dishwasher. Furthermore, porcelain utensils are cumbersome.
When you place them in a dishwasher, they will rattle against each other and chip. You don’t want that for your newly acquired utensils.
At A Glance!
What Is Porcelain?
What comes into your mind when you hear the term porcelain? For some people, the term refers to construction equipment, while for others, porcelain means kitchenware, tile, and sanitaryware. Some people even associate porcelain with the early explorers.
Well, guess what? The three definitions are correct. Porcelain is a ceramic material made from natural materials such as clay, feldspar, and sand.
After the manufacturer mixes the three materials, the porcelain is subjected to high-temperature fire (1260 degrees Celsius) to enhance its durability.
Porcelain material originated from China. However, the early explorers later transported it to England during the early trade.
Today, porcelain has advanced technologically and can be used to manufacture several items. For example, it can make tiles, jewelry, lab equipment, bathroom equipment, and kitchenware.
Nonetheless, our focus today will be on porcelain kitchenware. So let’s first list some of the benefits of using porcelain kitchenware:
- Resistant to mold growth
- Resistant to bacteria growth
- Very easy to use
- Very Durable
- Can be recycled
- Water-resistant
- Very effective
- Easy to clean
- Easy to store
- Environment-friendly
- Affordable
The above qualities are great for modern kitchens. However, a question arises on whether or not you can use porcelain in a microwave or dishwasher. Let us find out below.
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Is Porcelain Dinnerware Microwave Safe?
Before we answer the above question, let’s first define what porcelain dinnerware is. Porcelain dinnerware is the plates, dishes, and cups that set up your dinner table. When placed correctly, they bring in a sense of elegance.
Now that we already have the definition, let answer the question. Is porcelain dinnerware microwave safe? A direct answer to this is yes, porcelain dinnerware is microwave safe.
Modern porcelain is made from a non-porous, durable material. During manufacturing, the porcelain is subjected to high temperatures. The temperatures ensure that the material is solid and resilient to withstand high temperatures in a microwave.
Even so, it would be best if you were careful with porcelain. Not all porcelain kitchenware is perfect. Some are of poor quality. As we mentioned earlier, most of the markets in China are unregulated, creating space for substandard goods.
In addition, some porcelain dinnerware consists of metallic accents, which are dangerous for the microwave.
Are Porcelain Dishes Dishwasher Safe?
We all love shortcuts. If you have a dishwasher in your kitchen, you know how good it is in saving time. As soon as you place your cups and dishes in the machine, they become sparkling clean, and you can move on to perform other duties.
Unfortunately, some of the commonly used utensils in the kitchen, such as porcelain kitchenware, are not dishwasher safe.
If you subject decorated porcelain dishes to high temperatures and excess detergent, they lose their beautiful drawings and are no longer fit for the dining table.
We, therefore, recommend that you hand wash the colorful porcelain dishes instead.
Why Is Porcelain Not Dishwasher Safe?
The best thing about porcelain utensils is that they are easy to clean. However, you should avoid washing them in a dishwasher. Otherwise, the lovely decorations will tarnish. The tarnishing happens because porcelain cannot withstand high temperatures and abrasive detergents.
Moreover, porcelain dishwashers are too cumbersome. Therefore, they are likely to clank against other utensils and fragments in the dishwasher.
Nonetheless, if you opt for the hand-wash method, ensure that you clean the porcelain kitchenware carefully. First, make sure that you use standard detergent and a soft wipe.
Second, ensure that you use low-temperature water. If you don’t adhere to the above instructions, your dinnerware will get damaged.
Do Porcelain Plates Get Hot In Microwave?
Yes, Porcelain plates get hot in the microwave.
One major characteristic of porcelain plates is that they efficiently conduct heat. That is why when you place porcelain plates in the microwave, they heat rapidly.
Aside from heat conductivity, porcelain plates get hot because they consist of high-density materials. From our physics understanding, denser materials absorb heat rapidly compared to other materials.
For example, porcelain plates have a thickness that ranges between 0.11 to 1.1 inches. This density is high enough to conduct heat swiftly.
The trick to prevent the plates from becoming extremely hot is regulating the temperature used.
What Happens If You Microwave Porcelain?
First of all, it is essential to note that porcelain is microwave safe.
Now, when you place porcelain in a microwave, it quickly heats the food contents. However, if you subject it to more heat for a more extended period, the porcelain kitchenware also gets hot.
Porcelain kitchenware is also prone to thermal shock. If you move it from freezing temperatures to hot temperatures, it will crack due to pressure. The best way to prevent the material from breaking is to ensure that you preheat the microwave.
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Our Final Thoughts About Porcelain
Porcelain is one of the toughest utensils. It is made from potent ingredients and is also subjected to high firing temperatures to increase its hardness.
Nonetheless, you are required to handle the utensil with care so that it can serve you for a long time.
Now, who wants to chip utensils on a stylish dinner table? Absolutely nobody! Therefore, we recommend that you only hand-wash your porcelain utensils to enable them last for an extended period.
Though you cannot use porcelain in a dishwashing machine, you can use it in a microwave. Just ensure that you don’t subject the porcelain to extreme temperature changes, and you will be good to go.
Finally, we have come to mark the end of our article; we hope it will be of great help. So, enjoy using your porcelain utensils!
