Which dishes?

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Re: Which dishes?
« Reply #30 on: August 28, 2007, 07:57:14 PM » by SarahK

Quote from: herbalmom on August 28, 2007, 06:07:10 PM

SarahK, I just have to ask- HOW do you manage to drop a stack of plates on their rims, onto a fork?

I tell ya' - it wasn't me. My kids are multi-talented, I guess.

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Re: Which dishes?
« Reply #31 on: August 29, 2007, 10:26:22 AM » by homesteadmommy

Enamelware is metal that has a fused enamel coating on it. It is also known as splatterware because it usually has white dots on it like paint was splattered on it. The big water bath canning kettles & old style turkey roasters are enamelware. I like the look but decided not to use it except my canning kettle for canning only because if it chips, the base metal leaches into your food. I heard somewhere that sometimes the glazes on the old pieces can contain lead but I don't know for sure if that is true. I do know that the base metals really aren't the kinds of metals that should be in contact with food. HTH Blessings ~herbalmom
[/quote]

I stand to be corrected but I understood from an antique dealer that the old enamelware had a base of cast iron. Maybe that doesn't make any sense I would like to know if it isn't true. And most of my modern pieces of enamelware have a base of stainless steel - so I thought that wouldn't be too dangerous to eat off.

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Re: Which dishes?
« Reply #32 on: August 29, 2007, 07:27:50 PM » by herbalmom

Quote from: homesteadmommy on August 29, 2007, 10:26:22 AM

Quote from: herbalmom on August 28, 2007, 06:07:10 PM

I stand to be corrected but I understood from an antique dealer that the old enamelware had a base of cast iron. Maybe that doesn't make any sense I would like to know if it isn't true. And most of my modern pieces of enamelware have a base of stainless steel - so I thought that wouldn't be too dangerous to eat off.

Now you have me wondering. I have seen repeated warnings not to use chipped enamelware for food due to the base metals leaching into the food.

Every description I have ever read of enamelware said that the base is reg steel or possibly tin I think for the really old stuff. I have never heard of enamelware having a base of cast iron- I have porcelain coated cast iron pans but they have much thicker walls than any enamelware I have ever seen. I know my canning kettle is nowhere near heavy or thick enough to be cast iron & where it's chipped the base metal rusted so it's wouldn't be stainless. Every chipped piece of enamelware I have seen rusts easily & doesn't weigh much for it's size so I have always thought that the base was reg steel, not stainless. Stainless can be added along the rim without the rest of it being stainless so on any pieces that I have seen with a stainless rim I always assumed the base was reg steel & the stainless rim added.

I did go searching & I found this:

"Enamelware is made with a base metal of steel, iron or aluminum that is covered with a glass-like material called porcelain enamel. It is also referred to as porcelain on steel, cast iron enamel, vitreous enamel, agateware, and graniteware. The process is thousands of years old, found in many cultures and of unknown origin. Mass production of enameled kitchen utensils started in the latter part of the 19th century in the Americas."

The same web page (click here) also says this so I guess iron CAN be used:

"Enamel can usually be safely subjected to high heat, and can generally take abrupt temperature changes of 200-300° F without damage. Although very hard, a thin coating (1-mil or less on steel or aluminum) can flex more with the base metal as it expands and contracts with heat and cold. A thick coating (125-mils or more) can be effectively used over iron and heavy gauge steel, as its rate of expansion and contraction is much less than that of thinner metals."

I don't know this helps or confuses it more but maybe someone else will know for sure. Blessings ~herbalmom

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Re: Which dishes?
« Reply #33 on: October 04, 2007, 11:10:26 AM » by homesteadmommy

just for interests sake I was reading on the Weston Price website and I noticed that for cooking they recommend cast iron, stainless steel, glass and high quality enamelware. I wondered what that meant - what is high quality enamelware?

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Re: Which dishes?
« Reply #34 on: October 04, 2007, 11:31:43 AM » by ladyhen

Quote from: homesteadmommy on October 04, 2007, 11:10:26 AM

The high quality enamelware is the real expensive stuff, like the La Crueset pans that are enamel over cast iron. Good quality pans, imo, are an investment that will stay with you throughout your life.

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Re: Which dishes?
« Reply #35 on: October 04, 2007, 11:54:39 AM » by Whiterock

I have a La Crueset dutchoven. Dh bought it for me for a birthday/Christmas present. It's the most expensive thing in my kitchen. I LOVE it! I use it all the time and hope to pass it down to my dd one day.
WR

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Re: Which dishes?
« Reply #36 on: February 25, 2008, 02:14:00 PM » by strawberry

I just received some cast-iron where the enamel is chipped in two spots. It hasn't rusted; does anyone know if it's safe? This stuff isn't the same as "enamelware", right?

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Re: Which dishes?
« Reply #37 on: February 25, 2008, 05:13:24 PM » by Sarahsboys

I only have two kids - both boys - so I don't have a lot of experience, like those with more kids

, but I LOVE my Fiestaware dishes. When I got married, we started buying sets of the dishes, two of each color, so I have a wide range of colored dishes. I have only had one dish break on me - and it is still in use because it only chipped slightly on the underside of the plate. The plates are thick and sturdy. If I were to lose one of them to a mishap, I would just buy another one in any color I wanted. It makes it easy to not have to match a certain pattern, since I buy them in various colors. My boys do do the dishes - and they haven't broken any plates or bowls yet. They have just learned to handle the dishes, and if one were to break, they break in nice big, thick pieces - not small shards like glass or other dishes. We break plenty of glasses, but haven't lost any of the Fiesta yet.

The other plus is that they do look nice on the table, and so we only have one set of dishes - we don't have china or dishes for special occasions. I just use the Fiesta and it always looks great. I have found that Fiesta is almost always on sale for 1/2 price (right around $25 for a full place setting on sale) at the local Macy's, Herberger's, or Marshall Field's. Kohls carries them too.

Hope this helps,
Sarah

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Re: Which dishes?
« Reply #38 on: February 26, 2008, 01:20:51 PM » by LKS

Quote from: strawberry on February 25, 2008, 02:14:00 PM

I just received some cast-iron where the enamel is chipped in two spots. It hasn't rusted; does anyone know if it's safe? This stuff isn't the same as "enamelware", right?

I this is what I am thinking of, No, it is not enamel ware. This is good stuff, It should be fine even with the chips. Do you know what the brand is?
LKS

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Re: Which dishes?
« Reply #39 on: March 06, 2008, 09:36:36 AM » by strawberry

[/quote]
Do you know what the brand is?
LKS
[/quote]
It's from Germany. Aynsley, Orhcard Gold, Prinz; It saya all of those at the bottom!

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Re: Which dishes?
« Reply #40 on: March 06, 2008, 11:50:58 AM » by seekingHISheart

Quote from: Sarahsboys on February 25, 2008, 05:13:24 PM

I only have two kids - both boys - so I don't have a lot of experience, like those with more kids

We are also fiestaware fans. I had corelle, and everytime I turned around they were breaking...and not even from being dropped. They would shatter in the microwave after 1-2 minutes, one time I just picked up a bowl and it shattered in my hand....really weird. So I bought fiestaware second hand....some pieces were 10-15 yrs old (based on the color and when they were retired) with no chips or anything. My sister has some since she got married 15 years ago...and she still has them all...oh yes, and our children do the dishes

I love all the colors, too!

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Re: Which dishes?
« Reply #41 on: March 06, 2008, 12:13:07 PM » by ladyhen

I like my lightweight Corelle plates but I agree that they are a mess if they break. MY children are old enough or whatever, I guess, that we have very few breaks.

I absolutely love my Fiestaware, too. I have cups and saucers in many colors, serving platters and bowls, other accessories. My Corelle cereal bowl population has gotten too low, so will be buying Fiestaware to replace them. They are lovely, imo. My mother has dinner plates, bowls, and serving pieces, too.

We are blessed to live near a store that sells seconds from Fiesta, so it makes cheap gifts for other family members, as long as they are not collectors.

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Re: Which dishes?
« Reply #42 on: March 06, 2008, 05:45:43 PM » by homesteadmommy

I am really ignorant - but what is fiestaware?

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Re: Which dishes?
« Reply #43 on: March 06, 2008, 06:09:32 PM » by ladyhen

Quote from: homesteadmommy on March 06, 2008, 05:45:43 PM

I am really ignorant - but what is fiestaware?

I didn't know what it was, either, until I saw it!

It was extremely popular when it first came out, about 50 years ago. It is a brightly colored, glazed pottery that has an art deco sort of style. There are a LOT of colors available. It is, in my opinion, very stylish, functional, and affordable as well as practical and durable.

Hope you can pull up this link;

http://www.dinnerwareusa.com/

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Re: Which dishes?
« Reply #44 on: March 06, 2008, 06:35:31 PM » by sweetestday

My favorites are an old heirloom set of Courior and Ives that my mom got as a wedding gift from her grandma. She in turn gave them to me. It's so fun to eat off of dishes that I grew up with! I keep adding to the set as I find pieces at used thrft stores. We use them as our winter dishes since they have winter scenes on them. They don't seem to break very easily. I'm just hoping the teapot lasts. I haven't ever seen another of those, and I like to use it for special company... or the boys and me, sometimes.

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Re: Which dishes?
« Reply #45 on: March 07, 2008, 12:57:11 PM » by tynnille

I use the box sets from Target. They usually come in 8 place settigns and are pretty simple in decoration. Sometimes you can fidn them for sale around the holidays for about 20 bucks. I have three sets of them so we alwasy have enough for home use and guests. They do not break easily and they are pretty enough for guests. The kids handle them all the time setting table and such. They don;t scratch easily either. I have been very satisfied with them.
And if they do break finding replacements is usually pretty easy since the sets are frequent enough at Target.

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Re: Which dishes?
« Reply #46 on: March 07, 2008, 01:31:44 PM » by freshisbest

Boxed sets at Walmart...happend to find plain white on a clearance rack for something like $5 a box so I bought 4 boxes. That way its no tragedy when one breaks.

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Re: Which dishes?
« Reply #47 on: June 16, 2008, 09:52:14 PM » by mommie

O.kay so i see corelle is most everyone's favorite, but my house has all tile for the most part and that is NOT gonna work here. What about melamine anyone know about the safety of melamine for dinner ware. i'm trying to rid the house of plastic...i guess that is a plastic? ?

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Re: Which dishes?
« Reply #48 on: June 16, 2008, 10:20:16 PM » by mommie

http://www.dsm.com/en_US/html/dmm/safety_health.htm

so being FDA approved means squat to me and these guys sell melamine so of course it will be deemed as safe by them...but for what it may be worth...there's one article

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Re: Which dishes?
« Reply #49 on: October 16, 2008, 12:46:28 PM » by JuliaofSunnyside

Does anyone know anything about using melamine plates for kids? I know the melamine would be unsafe in their systems - remember the big fiasco with China putting melamine in pet food and all kinds of pets dying or going blind, etc. - but does it leach? They are nice for the kids - the older ones aren't bad about breaking plates but I can't imagine using ceramic for a baby or toddler.

http://safemama.com/2008/10/07/what-is-melamine-a-crash-course/

I found this that recommends not using it to really be on the safe side, but I wonder if we just refrained from heating food in them, etc, that would prevent most leaching.

« Last Edit: October 16, 2008, 12:53:44 PM by JuliaofSunnyside »
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Re: Which dishes?
« Reply #50 on: October 16, 2008, 04:21:34 PM » by mommie

I invested in 2 s/s plates for my two young ones. they were 10 bucks each at Amazon...but free shipping and perfect size, etc. They'll last forever i'm sure. I got rid of all my melamine and we don't even have a micro or use the dishwasher...but I thought just to be safe...I've tried o find info and haven't gotten very far. the info on wikipedia re melamine kinda made me cringe.

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Re: Which dishes?
« Reply #51 on: November 16, 2008, 01:27:15 PM » by petrimama

Does anyone know anything about tin? It is very cheap and I was thinking of getting actual tin mini muffin tins as ice cube trays instead of plastic. ~L

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Re: Which dishes?
« Reply #52 on: November 16, 2008, 05:58:32 PM » by lovingmomof2

Quote from: JuliaofSunnyside on October 16, 2008, 12:46:28 PM

Are melamine plates those cute character plates?

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Re: Which dishes?
« Reply #53 on: November 16, 2008, 06:06:05 PM » by mommie

most likely!

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Re: Which dishes?
« Reply #54 on: November 17, 2008, 07:47:31 AM » by mdessy

I love Corelle. I have had mine for over 20 years. Actually I'm sick of the pattern at this point but the dishes are still going strong. Seeing the new colors/patterns has me thinking though :-)

This stuff has been through lots of moves, three active kids with tons of visitors and is just great.

Anytime we've had tile floors we've lost one or two, mostly bowls for some reason, but we still have most of our original purchase - 16 of everything.

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Re: Which dishes?
« Reply #55 on: November 17, 2008, 03:06:44 PM » by JuliaofSunnyside

Quote from: lovingmomof2 on November 16, 2008, 05:58:32 PM

Quote from: JuliaofSunnyside on October 16, 2008, 12:46:28 PM

Are melamine plates those cute character plates?

Yes, that is what I was thinking of. I've noticed some are just melamine, some are coated with plastic, and some are just plastic. After I asked about this, I noticed that the Hello Kitty ones I was giving my Hello Kitty-loving toddler were actually #7 plastic - one of the worst kinds! Bummer!

« Last Edit: November 17, 2008, 05:13:35 PM by JuliaofSunnyside »
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Re: Which dishes?
« Reply #56 on: November 17, 2008, 04:54:30 PM » by lovingmomof2

how do you know what type a plastic it is and if it is bad or not? We have some character plates like monkeys and pooh bear.

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Proverbs 31:26
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Re: Which dishes?
« Reply #57 on: November 17, 2008, 04:59:41 PM » by mommie

well, it should have a recycle # code on the bottom, but most dont...I'm pretty sure all of them are either the bad plastic (cause they're really hard and normally the really hard stuff is bad i'm pretty sure) OR melamine...

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Re: Which dishes?
« Reply #58 on: November 17, 2008, 05:13:13 PM » by JuliaofSunnyside

I think it's #2 and #7 which are the worst about leaching chemicals into food. There is a thread on here which lists the types. I admit I actually did give my toddler the plastic stuff (and she loves it), but I don't heat anything in it, try not to put hot food in it, and don't let food sit in it for long.

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Re: Which dishes?
« Reply #59 on: November 18, 2008, 11:06:35 AM » by mommie

I think its #3 and #7

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