Preparing Your Table with Crockery from Nisbets

Nov. 4, 2011 - PRLog -- Just as important as buying the equipment for a commercial kitchen, is preparing the items that the customers will see. This makes buying your crockery, glassware and cutlery very important purchases for your restaurant. As a restaurant you will be judged on the appearance of your tableware; you don’t want to be serving a tenderly prepared steak on a battered plate as the appearance of the plate will detract from that of the expertly prepared meal. Nisbets can help you choose the right design and style of crockery for your restaurant by providing a wide range of brands including Arc, Olympia, Churchill and Royal Porcelain.

The design and style of the plates you choose is important as it’s all about finding something that is unique, yet practical for use in the kitchen. Over the years there has been varying shapes, designs and colours in the style of plates. Pieces of crockery sold to the commercial marketplace are very durable and many also come with an edge chip guarantee (subject to normal usage).

Types of crockery available

When buying the crockery, it is important to remember that there are also different types available. When it comes to doing your research about crockery, remember that each type will have its own strengths and weaknesses, which is why you must know about each available before you make a decision for your restaurant. Nisbets sells crockery in a variety of materials to match your needs. You will generally find the following on the market, all of which Nisbets stock.

- Porcelain is a ceramic material made by heating raw materials, generally including clay in the form of kaolin, in a kiln to temperatures between 1,200 °C (2,192 °F) and 1,400 °C (2,552 °F). The toughness, strength, and translucence of porcelain arise mainly from the formation of glass and the mineral mullite within the fired body at these high temperatures. Porcelain crockery differs in the price range; while some of it can come cheap and easy to handle, some is expensive. Porcelain derives its present name from old Italian porcellana (Cowrie shell) because of its resemblance to the translucent surface of the sea snails shell. Porcelain has good resistance to ‘thermal shock’, which is why it is often used as oven to tableware – this allows caterers to cook the food in the dishes they serve in. Olympia and Athena are made from Porcelain.

- Alumina enriched is crockery that contains the material alumina. Crockery made from this product can normally be spotted due to its creamy colour. Alumina is an oxide of aluminium, which is added to the clay to give it additional strength. This is more expensive than standard porcelain, though it is generally cheaper than bone china, so it is used as an alternative. The range Lumina is made from this alumina enriched porcelain.  

- Earthenware is a white and porous clay that is fired at a low temperature (about 1915 degrees Fahrenheit) and is one of the oldest materials used in pottery. Earthenware is usually called ‘ceramics’ or ‘ceramic ware’; it is decorated, glazed with a clear coat and fired. Although considered cost-effective, it is not as tough or water-resistant as other ceramics. Earthenware has to be glazed or it will absorb water, making the cleaning process difficult. It is one of the oldest materials used in pottery. Some earthenware is vitrified; this is when a ceramic body is fired to a temperature of above 1210 ‘C; the body of the material melts together. This means the material becomes non porous so neither water nor bacteria can seep into the product.

- Bone China is a type of soft-paste porcelain that is composed of ash from animal bones, feldspathic material and kaolin. It is known for its high levels of whiteness and translucency, and also for its very high mechanical strength and chip resistance. Bone China is a cost effective choice and comes in many colours and patterns. As Bone China is so strong, manufacturers can make it very thin. This gives it the benefit of being a lot lighter than other ceramic pieces. To be called ‘fine bone china’, it must be made of more than 45 percent bone ash.

- Stoneware is chip-resident and used for many uses within the kitchen including the refrigerator, oven and microwave. Stoneware is a stronger clay that is fired to a high temperature (about 2185 degrees Fahrenheit) and becomes vitreous. Although it is more waterproof than earthenware it should also be glazed for better performance. It is known for being strong and durable, making it a perfect choice for daily use crockery. There are different types of stoneware available.

- Melamine is a strong, lightweight and hard thermosetting plastic. Melamine is used as an ideal hygienic and durable alternative to china as it is virtually unbreakable to meet the tough demands of everyday use. As well as being virtually unbreakable, it resists scratching and staining, and is heat resistant and dishwasher safe.

UK Crockery Manufacturers

There are three main manufacturers of crockery in the UK. All are based in Stoke on Trent which is historically renowned for its crockery production and still known today as ‘The Potteries’. The three main producers in the UK are Churchill, Dudson and Steelite which make their crockery from vitrified earthenware, as well as other products – all of these brands are stocked by Nisbets. Companies like Churchill and Steelite offer five year or lifetime chip guarantees on their products. As well as the UK manufacturers there are a number of companies from abroad that cater the UK marketplace and often represent a cheaper alternative to those based in the UK. One of Nisbets main brands is Olympia, which was launched in 2002

Patterned commercial crockery

The vast majority of catering establishments will have white crockery sets with traditional round plates and sometimes shaped designs which are easy to match and replace. But there other options available which sway away from the classic lines and move into colour, patterns and even logos. If you are considering an incorporated design feature, think carefully about the quantity as a major consideration is the cost of production and the availability of extra pieces which will be required from time to time.

Classic shapes and styles will never go out of style, but sometimes it’s fun to try something new within your restaurant to add a new twist to the table. Just remember your tableware should compliment your food, not detract from it. http://www.nisbets.co.uk stocks a wide range of crockery for your needs.