Since time immemorial, breaking bread and bonding over meals have been the most basic of social activities. A dinner set is not a mere vessel to serve food; the right choice of dinnerware can completely transform your dining experience. The history of dinnerware is a long and interesting one. The earliest use of dinnerware can be traced back to Ancient Egypt where archaeologists unearthed spoons made from flint, wood, and ivory. With the advent of time and changes in consumer tastes and preferences, there have been significant changes in the use and significance of dinnerware.
Dinnerware plays a vitally important role in a good dining experience. The right dinnerware goes much beyond assembling plates and other serving dishes; it adds a unique personal touch while ensuring that the delicate flavor palate remains preserved and is enjoyed to the fullest by you and your loved ones. When it comes to the art of dining, there are many important components that it takes beyond just sitting down for a meal. It is a harmonious fusion of food, table etiquette, and most importantly, presentation - a facet that is strongly uplifted by the right dinnerware.
Here we will be walking you through the ultimate dinnerware guide, which will surely create a visually pleasing and appetizing experience for all your guests, and leave them in awe. Whether you are hosting a formal dinner party or enjoying a hearty meal with your family, this dinnerware guide should answer all your questions.
Understanding the Basics
Choosing the right dinnerware sets
When it comes to selecting the right dinnerware, you have to nail every component. Sifting through the various components, understanding their use and importance, and selecting those that resonate with your taste can certainly be a bit overwhelming, owing to the endless options available in the market. With this in mind, we are going to break down dinnerware sets by components, occasion, and materials so that you have a thorough understanding of them.
7 Essential Components of a Dinner Set
1. Dinner Plates - Dinner plates are perhaps the most prominent component of a standard dinner set. They are essentially round, and flat, and are designed to accommodate generous servings of the main course of your meal. They come in different designs - from minimalistic to intricate patterns.
2. Side Plates - Side plates or appetizer plates are more suited to serve appetizers pre-main course or salads, breads, and other culinary accompaniments to go alongside the main course. These are comparatively small in size and are available in different shapes, sizes, and colors to cater to your unique taste.
3. Serving Platters & Bowls - When it comes to entertaining, the more, the merrier. For such occasions, serving platters and bowls offer the ease and flexibility to spread out your entrees, appetizers, and side dishes in an appealing manner. From classic wooden serving platters to elegant ceramic platters, there are numerous options available.
4. Soup Bowls - Soup bowls feature a distinctive design to make room for liquid-based dishes such as stews, soups, and sometimes even pasta. Soup bowls are often substituted by deep plates, which are comparatively shallow, but have enough depth to hold and serve delicious pasta.
5. Cups & Saucers - Cups and saucers aid with your drinking experience. If you wish to enjoy a soothing tea or a punchy coffee after a meal, the right cup and saucer can make all the difference. Cups are designed to hold and retain the warmth of your beverages, while saucers catch drips and spills.
6. Dessert Plates - A sumptuous brownie or a palate-cleansing sorbet is the perfect way to end any meal, which is why dessert plates are appropriately sized to serve sweet treats following the main course.
7. Other Accessories - You may need additional accessories here and there to make your dining experience easy and smooth. Salt and pepper shakers, fondue sets, gravy boats, and sauce dispensers are a few must-haves.
Types of Dinnerware Material
Ceramic
Ceramic is known for its excellent heat retention property, which makes it ideal for sharing and enjoying warm meals. Also, ceramic dinner sets are durable, non-toxic, and the most commonly used.
Porcelain
A specialized form of ceramic, porcelain dinnerware boasts a high level of mechanical strength, chip resistance, and transparency, which makes the surface appear smooth and seamless. These dinner sets are available in different shapes, sizes, and colors and feature intricate detailing.
Bone China
Bone China is made from a blend of bone ash, kaolin, and China stone, and is recognized for its lightweight nature compared to other materials. It is also extremely durable and resilient, which rightfully earns it the title of highest quality ceramic used for tableware.
Glass
Having been fired at high temperatures, glass dinnerware is a common, durable, and non-porous option when it comes to selecting dinner sets. Tempered glass and vitrified glass are a few common forms of glass that serve as the foundation for most glass dinner sets.
Dinnerware By Occasion
Formal Dinners
For formal dinners, you might want to arrange a simple yet elegant Bone China set. The seamless, translucent finish will elevate your guests’ dining experience to a whole other level. Go for simple yet elegant designs, possibly golden rims or floral prints on the border.
Festivals
Festivals are a time to go all in, which is why you should add a touch of color and vibrancy to your dining table. Empty shelves and lay out a colorful porcelain dinner set, preferably in bold and vibrant hues such as royal blue or deep red.Festivals are a time when a lot of food sits out while guests keep pouring in. This is a scenario where you can leverage the non-porosity of porcelain, which will allow you to keep your snacks out for a long time without having to worry about the plates or bowls absorbing residual odor.
House Parties
House parties are a fun and relaxing time for you and your friends. This is the most opportune occasion to set up your table with your favorite glass dinner set, which will allow your delicacies to shine through and win over the hearts of your dear ones.
Durable Dinnerware for Daily Use
Owing to daily use, occasional clanging and gradual wear and tear on dinner sets are inevitable. However, there are a few lasting options that will stand the test of time. While ceramic is a durable choice, it can chip over time. Porcelain, however, is made from refined clay fired at higher temperatures, which not only makes it more dense compared to ceramic but also durable and chip-resistant. Porcelain also compares better to other counterparts such as Bone China and glass, making it ideal to keep up with the demands of daily use.
Tips to Purchase Affordable Dinner Sets
Plan a Budget
Before looking for dinner sets online or offline, set a minimum and maximum budget. You can allot a budget based on things like immediate need, material, and whether the set is durable enough to be a long-term investment.
Do Some Research
Based on the occasion and your unique needs, do some research online about the make and design that will suitably cater to your unique needs.
Decide by Occasion
The occasion will inevitably dictate the make and style of your dinner set. Based on your budget, you can browse online to find the right fit for your needs. Look for discount offers and clearance sales, and reap the benefits. If you are running on a low budget, you can select a design online, and look for close alternatives at your local market.
Understand various dinnerware styles
At a glance, the wide range of dinnerware available online can look a little overwhelming. Based on the occasion section we covered previously, we hope it has now become easier for you to pinpoint the perfect dinner set suitable for a particular occasion.It is crucial that you invest in the right dinnerware for the right occasion. While an elegant Bone China set will be more appropriate for formal dinners, porcelain is a great option to withstand the rigors of daily use and sharing hearty meals on a daily basis.
How to Extend the Life of Your Favorite Dinnerware for Years to Come
If you are investing in a stunning dinner set, caring for it ensures that it remains in pristine condition.
Cleaning Tips
No matter what the make or material of the dinner set, gentle care goes a long way. If the components of the dinner set have a dishwasher-safe design, it is best to load the pieces one by one and let the machine take care of them.
If you are handwashing, you can simply immerse the piece in soapy, lukewarm water, place it under running water, and clean it dry with a soft cloth. For stubborn stains, you can go for vinegar or soda bicarbonate.
Store It Right
After cleaning your dinner set, you want to ensure that each individual component is completely dry before you store them inside a kitchen cabinet or organizer rack. If you are storing the items in manageable stacks, placing paper towels, kitchen tissues, coffee filters or virtually any liners will prevent scratches and mechanical damage. Finally, always arrange the items by type - on your cabinet or rack, arrange only plates in a single section, and leave the bowls for another section.
General Care to Keep It Looking New
There are a few things you can do to ensure that your dinner set remains in good shape. First and foremost, you may want to avoid the use of harsh cleaners as well as steel wool and other harsh scrubbers. Exposing the components of your dinner set to extreme changes in temperature may lead to mechanical damage, and eventually even cracking. It is advisable to be mindful of the temperature changes when you are shifting from piping hot foods to cold ones. While any standard set is equipped to deal with minor temperature changes, placing a ceramic plate right out of the oven into your refrigerator is a strict no.
Finally, do your research. If you go for melamine dinnerware, it is prone to releasing toxic molecules when exposed to heat. These nitty-gritty details are important when it comes to picking out the perfect dinner set.
Conclusion
While looking for the right dinnerware to elevate your dining experience, these simple tips and tricks will surely point you in the right direction. Follow our guide and celebrate the art of dining with your loved ones. Present your food and allow others to delve into it in a manner that warms everyone’s hearts, and makes your efforts in the kitchen worth it.
Dinner set online shopping: FAQs
1. What type of dinnerware is best for everyday use?
Porcelain or ceramic dinner sets are best for everyday use due to their durable and resilient build, allowing them to keep up with the rigors of daily use. Stainless steel is a safe and great option as well.
2.What is most dinnerware made of?
Ceramic and its different varieties are used to make most dinner sets. In terms of use, stainless steel is the most commonly used dinnerware, which is widely used across most Indian households.
3.What is the purpose of dinnerware?
Dinnerware is designed to ensure that the various courses of a meal are presented in a manner that makes them look appetizing, retains their warmth, and delicate flavors, and makes them easy to serve.
4.What is the advantage of dinnerware?
Proper dinnerware can make your dishes look visually appealing and presentable, thereby elevating one’s overall dining experience.
5.What is the strongest type of dinnerware?
Stainless steel is the strongest type of dinnerware available in the market, making it the most commonly used and durable option for many households.
6.What is the safest dinnerware material?
Ceramic, earthenware, and bamboo are some of the safest dinnerware materials.
7.What is dinnerware also known as?
Dinnerware is also referred to as tableware, dinner set, or crockery.
8.Which material dinnerware set is good for health?
Ceramic, Bone China, and glass dinner sets are some healthy dinnerware options.
9.What are dinnerware plates made of?
Dinnerware plates are built from a wide range of materials, such as glass, stainless steel, ceramic, and porcelain, among others.
