Vida Winter Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 DD17 dropped a corelle bowl and it shattered into a million shards. She got quite a few cuts as a result - nothing too serious but I want to replace our dishes now. Can anyone recommend a very easy to use microwave safe set of dishes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebug42 Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 I have been very happy with our Pfaltzgraff dishes. They are heavier and when they break it is into large pieces. They do not shatter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vida Winter Posted April 4, 2012 Author Share Posted April 4, 2012 I have been very happy with our Pfaltzgraff dishes. They are heavier and when they break it is into large pieces. They do not shatter. Wow - they have a lot of patterns, many more than they used to have. I'll be browsing tonight. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vida Winter Posted April 4, 2012 Author Share Posted April 4, 2012 If anyone else has suggestions please post. Ease of use is more important than looks. I just want that Corelle out of my kitchen before someone drops another bowl and ends up with a shard of glass in the eye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forget-Me-Not Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 Yeah, that's the thing with Corelle I've found. . . it doesn't *usually* break, but when it does it's a nightmare! I've been considering a set of Fiesta Ware. I hear lots of good things about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vettechmomof2 Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 I have been using my Pfaltzgraff as well since I was in college! No problems here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slackermom Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 I used to sell dinnerware. Tons of it. I also handled the returns when people were unhappy with it. I recommend porcelain dishes, which are very durable, due to being fired at very high temperatures, and they are dishwasher and microwave-safe. These dishes were rarely returned. Dishes that were returned regularly due to dissatifaction with the product: Earthenware and glazed stoneware. They are beautiful to look at, until you start to use them. Earthenware develops little cracks over time, and glazed stoneware starts to show scratches on the surface (from utensil use). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vida Winter Posted April 4, 2012 Author Share Posted April 4, 2012 I used to sell dinnerware. Tons of it. I also handled the returns when people were unhappy with it. I recommend porcelain dishes, which are very durable, due to being fired at very high temperatures, and they are dishwasher and microwave-safe. These dishes were rarely returned. Dishes that were returned regularly due to dissatifaction with the product: Earthenware and glazed stoneware. They are beautiful to look at, until you start to use them. Earthenware develops little cracks over time, and glazed stoneware starts to show scratches on the surface (from utensil use). Is there a specific brand of porcelain that you would recommend? I think the Fiestaware and Pfaltzgraff dishes may be glazed stoneware and earthenware but I'm not sure. The fiestaware are durable but weigh a ton. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisamarie Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 and glazed stoneware starts to show scratches on the surface (from utensil use). :iagree: This would be why we replaced our first set of dishes. While sturdy, they look like we took a knife and gouged the plates. Which is exactly what we did.:tongue_smilie: We now have corelle and that is exactly how our one plate broke. Into a million tiny shards of plate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justLisa Posted April 4, 2012 Share Posted April 4, 2012 (edited) I'm sorry this happened to your DD. I am so glad that when it happened here, it was me. I was rinsing a bowl in the sink, barely dropped it while washing it and close to the bottom, and it just shattered everywhere. It happened at my moms as well, and this post has just pushed me to get rid of it. I keep saying i need to get new dishes. I absolutely LOVE my Williams Sonoma pantry collection. They are white, heavy and you can even put them in the oven. They ARE a bit heavy and bulky, but well priced for us. I also have some smaller plates and bowls from a restaurant supply store. I just NEED me some WHITE dishes LOL These are the ones I have: http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/1660372/?pkey=ctabletop-new&cm_src=hero The pasta bowls are SO great. And the dinner plates have a nice lip to them to contain sauces. I agree abuot the porcelain being supperior Edited April 4, 2012 by 425lisamarie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vida Winter Posted April 5, 2012 Author Share Posted April 5, 2012 Has anyone experience with Crate and Barrel? They have a white porcelain set that is very affordable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitten18 Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 Love our Fiestaware!!! LOVE :001_wub: LOVE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjzimmer1 Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 We had/have Pfatzgraff since we got married. I do appreciate that when it breaks it's pretty easy to clean up. However, we did find it chipped pretty easy. Most of my plates have chips out of them. I would still use them but we always had to be careful not to grab where the chip was. Our pattern has long been discontinued and so we decided to just buy new Fiesta ware because it was cheaper than any used/replacement options we found on the Pfatzgraff. I have to say the Fiesta Ware has stood up MUCH better than the Pfatzgraff. We have only had one dish break and it was just as easy to clean up as the Pfatzgraff however there has been so many times when something was dropped that I KNEW it was going to break except that it didn't. I have a 3 and a 5 year old so our dishes get dropped alot. I've been really pleased with the durability of Fiesta Ware. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vida Winter Posted April 5, 2012 Author Share Posted April 5, 2012 I am thinking of ordering this set. Am I going to have regrets? http://www.pfaltzgraff.com/Service-for-8-with-Bowl-Platter/K85405497,default,pd.html?cgid=VDLUN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 I recommend porcelain dishes, which are very durable, due to being fired at very high temperatures, and they are dishwasher and microwave-safe. These dishes were rarely returned. :iagree: Plus, my dh puts our porcelain china into the oven all the time & it's fine. (I know that's probably not recommended use, but it's reality.) We've had our china almost 20 years, use it every day, multiple times a day, & it still looks new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aggie Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 :iagree: Plus, my dh puts our porcelain china into the oven all the time & it's fine. (I know that's probably not recommended use, but it's reality.) We've had our china almost 20 years, use it every day, multiple times a day, & it still looks new. What brand and pattern do you have? We've had Pfatzgraff Juniper for 20 years and I still love it. Of all the dishes we have, we've had 2 plates chip and one bowl crack. And almost no scratching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 What brand and pattern do you have? We've had Pfatzgraff Juniper for 20 years and I still love it. Of all the dishes we have, we've had 2 plates chip and one bowl crack. And almost no scratching. Arzberg Joy (Arzberg is a German manufacturer of porcelain.) We've had a couple of chips over the years & had two (I think) plates break, but really no scratching or wear marks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jewellsmommy Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 Oh, that is horrible to hear! We have corelle dishes and I never that they shatter. I love them because they are so lightweight. I cannot stand heavy dinnerware. Are Pfatzgraff lightweight too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5kidsforME Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 We had/have Pfatzgraff since we got married. I do appreciate that when it breaks it's pretty easy to clean up. However, we did find it chipped pretty easy. Most of my plates have chips out of them. I would still use them but we always had to be careful not to grab where the chip was. Our pattern has long been discontinued and so we decided to just buy new Fiesta ware because it was cheaper than any used/replacement options we found on the Pfatzgraff. I have to say the Fiesta Ware has stood up MUCH better than the Pfatzgraff. We have only had one dish break and it was just as easy to clean up as the Pfatzgraff however there has been so many times when something was dropped that I KNEW it was going to break except that it didn't. I have a 3 and a 5 year old so our dishes get dropped alot. I've been really pleased with the durability of Fiesta Ware. This has been our experience exactly. I would never buy Pfaltzgraff again. It chipes easy and it had tons of silverware markings. My fiestaware has been banged, dropped, etc. and I have had no chips and none have broken!! I am amazed!! We have had out fiesta Ware for 2 years. I have never gone this long without a broken dish! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aggie Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 Arzberg Joy (Arzberg is a German manufacturer of porcelain.) We've had a couple of chips over the years & had two (I think) plates break, but really no scratching or wear marks. Those are beautiful! Oh, that is horrible to hear! We have corelle dishes and I never that they shatter. I love them because they are so lightweight. I cannot stand heavy dinnerware. Are Pfatzgraff lightweight too? I would consider our Pfaltzgraff mid-weight. Not as light as Corelle, but there are certainly heavier dishes. Oh, btw, we got most of ours at the Pottery in Williamsburg for almost nothing. Is that big ol' barn still there?:001_smile: ETA: Ok, it was a long time ago. Maybe it wasn't called the Pottery and maybe it wasn't in Williamsburg. It was a cluster of big warehouse-type buildings with a lot of stuff in them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lolly Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 I may be the only one who has had real issues with Pfaltzgraff. Yes, they chip and scratch easily, but ours also had the glaze crack. Brown lines all over the ishes. In the microwave, the plates got so hot it was scary. (It happened quickly too!) They are off my list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momofkhm Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 Oh, btw, we got most of ours at the Pottery in Williamsburg for almost nothing. Is that big ol' barn still there?:001_smile: ETA: Ok, it was a long time ago. Maybe it wasn't called the Pottery and maybe it wasn't in Williamsburg. It was a cluster of big warehouse-type buildings with a lot of stuff in them! Just drove up that way with my mom a couple weeks ago. The Pottery Factory is still there but undergoing a massive face lift. To the point that on Rt-60, I thought the Pottery was gone and something new was in it's place. It did not look open at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slackermom Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 (edited) Is there a specific brand of porcelain that you would recommend? I think the Fiestaware and Pfaltzgraff dishes may be glazed stoneware and earthenware but I'm not sure. The fiestaware are durable but weigh a ton. I don't recommend any particular brand. I do have lots of white porcelain from Crate&Barrel, Sur La Table, Target and a few other other places that I mix together. They get their porcelain from a variety of vendors. I mainly look for well made pieces in shapes and sizes that I like, keeping in mind that thin ridges, corners, and other decorative details are more prone to chipping. Speaking of Fiestaware, it is actually a bit more durable than other dishes of its type, due to the way they make it. My MIL has it and loves it. It's too heavy for me though. I hate putting away the dishes at her house.:tongue_smilie: Edited April 6, 2012 by slackermom typo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
besroma Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 (edited) I love my dishes. I'm embarrassed to say that I am so tired I can't remember the manufacturer! I will look tomorrow and post it then. I did find an interesting site with a thread on this same topic: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/418011 Edited April 8, 2012 by besroma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HollyDay Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 I have been very happy with our Pfaltzgraff dishes. They are heavier and when they break it is into large pieces. They do not shatter. :iagree: We had a similar situation about 10 years ago, but I think it was a bowl and not a plate. I got rid of everything and replaced it with Pfaltzgraff from one of their outlet stores Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
besroma Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 Just drove up that way with my mom a couple weeks ago. The Pottery Factory is still there but undergoing a massive face lift. To the point that on Rt-60, I thought the Pottery was gone and something new was in it's place. It did not look open at all. Cheryl, I noticed you are in Cary. Have you been to the Vietri outlet in Hillsborough? :001_wub: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nukeswife Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 I replaced all our corelle about a year and a half ago with Fiestaware and I LOVE it. I bought a rainbow of colors and love my stuff. We have scarlet, tangerine, sunflower, shamrock, Peacock and Plum as well as an extra set in turquoise, white and black. We use the shamrock, plum, scarlet, peacock and sunflower most because those are each person in our families favorite colors, so we each have our own color coded dishes. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarlaS Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 Is there a specific brand of porcelain that you would recommend? I think the Fiestaware and Pfaltzgraff dishes may be glazed stoneware and earthenware but I'm not sure. The fiestaware are durable but weigh a ton. Fiesta is china. It is rather heavy though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunnyDays Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 Sigh. I had to open this thread.... :) Now I've been online browsing Fiestaware and Pfaltzgraff for WAY longer than I'd like to admit... ;) OP, I hope you find something nice!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonshineLearner Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 I want some Made in the USA Fiestaware :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vida Winter Posted April 9, 2012 Author Share Posted April 9, 2012 I asked my family what they wanted and everyone was in favor of Fiestaware. As soon as I can figure out where to buy it (has to be online) and what colors we want I will place the order. As far as the weight issue, we can switch dishes and pantry foods to that we don't have to lift the dishes as much. Thank you so much for your input! P.S. We are still finding shards of corelle glass from the bowl-shattering incident the other day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted April 9, 2012 Share Posted April 9, 2012 I asked my family what they wanted and everyone was in favor of Fiestaware. As soon as I can figure out where to buy it (has to be online) and what colors we want I will place the order. As far as the weight issue, we can switch dishes and pantry foods to that we don't have to lift the dishes as much. Thank you so much for your input! P.S. We are still finding shards of corelle glass from the bowl-shattering incident the other day. Macy's often has buy one get one deals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
besroma Posted April 13, 2012 Share Posted April 13, 2012 I asked my family what they wanted and everyone was in favor of Fiestaware. As soon as I can figure out where to buy it (has to be online) and what colors we want I will place the order. As far as the weight issue, we can switch dishes and pantry foods to that we don't have to lift the dishes as much. Thank you so much for your input! My mom loves her Fiestaware. Enjoy! (I finally looked at mine...it's Lenox Butler's Pantry). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted April 13, 2012 Share Posted April 13, 2012 I get white dinnerware from Cost Plus/World Market. http://www.worldmarket.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=3499212&ab=kitchenanddining:dinnerware:header:dinnerwaresets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nukeswife Posted April 17, 2012 Share Posted April 17, 2012 I asked my family what they wanted and everyone was in favor of Fiestaware. As soon as I can figure out where to buy it (has to be online) and what colors we want I will place the order. As far as the weight issue, we can switch dishes and pantry foods to that we don't have to lift the dishes as much. Thank you so much for your input! P.S. We are still finding shards of corelle glass from the bowl-shattering incident the other day. I bought all of mine online at this site http://www.megachina.com/ and they had great customer service and awesome prices. The items were also packaged really, really well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singingmom Posted April 18, 2012 Share Posted April 18, 2012 Also, check out Homer Laughlin ( the manufacturer) . They have great deals in their outlet ( such as buy four place settings, get one free) and I have been really happy with the quality coming from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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