Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Whats the difference between stoneware and earthenware?


People often are confused about the difference between stoneware (high fire clay) and earthenware (low fire clay).  I found a nifty chart online that offers up some easy ways to compare the two and clarify the strengths and weaknesses between them:


Differences in an undecorated piece of stoneware and earthenware:    

Stoneware
Earthenware (ceramic ware)
Impervious to water (water tight)
Not impervious to water (cannot hold water)
Chip resistant
Chips easily
Color: Buff or terra cotta
Color: white
Feel: textured
Feel: chalky
Look: like pottery
Look: rough white
Looks great undecorated or decorated.
Can only use when decorated.
Can withstand high/low temp.
Cannot withstand high/low temp.
Oven safe
Not oven safe
Suited for household use.
Suited for decorative use
Painting bisque: Wipe off mistakes. 
 Glazes flow: bisque is not porous
Painting bisque: Cannot correct mistakes
Glazes adheres to bisque: bisque is porous
Firing: Leave the bottom of the piece dry and place on shelf
Paint or glaze the bottom of the piece and stilt on shelf.



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