Bone china is a type of everyday ceramic. As the highest-grade ceramics, bone china products are distinguished by their light, transparent, thin, and white appearance. This is because some bone ash—don’t worry, not human bone ash—is added to the raw material when bone china is produced. At the same time, due to its low lead and cadmium content, bone china tableware is becoming more and more popular.
Bone china is generally microwave-safe. It is microwave-safe and durable enough to be used every day, outlasting even plastic that is microwaveable.
Read on if you want to learn more.
Is It Safe to Put Bone China in a Microwave?
Like most porcelains, bone china is generally microwave safe. Knowing how a microwave works is necessary in order to comprehend why bone china is safe to use in one. The differences between a microwave and a regular oven are considerable. They warm food by emitting microwaves, a type of radiation energy, which the food then absorbs. This energy causes water molecules in the food to vibrate, producing heat that warms up the food.
Any item that is microwave-safe barely absorbs the microwaves and warms up slowly. As a result, one way to tell if something is microwave-safe is to see if it warms up when you warm food on it.
Despite clay retaining a certain degree of porosity even after being fired, you don’t have to worry about your bone china absorbing moisture. This is due to their glazing, which seals the surface of the piece, done in between firings.
Bone china pieces won’t warm up in the microwave because they contain very little to no moisture. They cannot be warmed by the microwave; only the food can do that.
Additionally, because they are fired at extremely high temperatures, chinas are strong and resistant to heat and thermal shock. Thermal shock occurs when your piece experiences a sudden shift in temperature, which causes your kitchenware to crack.
The majority of ceramics have small thermal expansions and are easily cracked. Fine and bone china are more durable, though. Therefore, even if your food gets too hot and you remove it from the microwave, the sudden temperature change will likely not damage your favorite bone china plate.
When is Bone China Not Microwave Safe?
They cannot be regarded as microwave-safe when such metals are infused in the whiteware. Therefore, make sure that the dinnerware or tableware designs on your bone china do not contain metal. This includes any silver, gold, or platinum ornamentation that is not suitable for use in a microwave.
Let’s say that the base of the Bone China dinnerware is decorated with a gold pattern or border. Now, place the Bone China dinnerware in the microwave. In that case, the strong microwave radiation will cause the gold layer on the Bone China surface to spark violently.
The gold coating will suffer severe damage from the radiation and lose much of its golden radiance, and the sparks will spread fear and danger, which will be more dangerous than simply destroying the Bone China dinnerware.
It’s the same reason you shouldn’t microwave cutlery tools like forks, knives, and spoons for safety reasons. Metals have the ability to absorb a lot of heat, even in trace amounts. It may also result in arcing, sparking, and fire from the meal you’re microwaving.
How to Test If Bone China is Microwave Safe
The simplest method to confirm whether your china is microwave safe is to check the hallmark. Make sure the bottom of your piece is facing you by turning it over. Check the dish’s back. Many dinnerware has either “not for use in microwaves” or “microwave friendly” written on them. This only applies to contemporary Chinas, though.
If your piece has no clear markings, you can try to test its electromagnetic energy absorption. Water should be added to a glass or cup that can be heated in a microwave about 3/4 full. The test could fail if you don’t use a cup that can go in the microwave. To be sure, look for a cup with the microwave-safe mark on the bottom.
Put the dish and the water glass in the microwave together. both at once in a high-power microwave for one minute.
After a minute in the microwave, remove the cup of water with a potholder or oven mitts. Then, place your palm on the questioned dish to determine its temperature. It is not microwave safe if the dish is warm and the water is cold. If a dish is warm, it has absorbed electromagnetic and/or thermal energy. It is regarded as microwave-safe if the temperature of the dish stays the same and the water is warm.
Can You Wash Bone China in the Dishwasher?
You can be confident that you can wash your bone china in an automatic dishwasher if your dishware has a dishwasher-safe label. Don’t overlook the ensuing recommendations, though.
First, fill the dishwasher without letting any of the items touch one another. So the risk of scratching is reduced. Don’t put too many plates in your dishwasher, either. Use only “China Crystal”, “Short Wash”, or “Gentle” cycle wash as well.
Furthermore, china with metallic bands cannot be microwaved or put in the dishwasher. A bone china dish that can be used in the microwave is probably also safe for the dishwasher.
How to Clean Bone China
If your bone china dish features stains from tea, coffee, or other beverages, then it’s time to give them more than the usual washing-up treatment.
By using a baby sterilizing solution, you can get rid of these stubborn stains. First, thoroughly wash and dry the dish. then proceed to clean with the solution!
However, you should avoid harsh scrubbing or cleaning your bone china too abrasively. To protect the glaze finish, it is best to gently wash the dishes.
Final Thoughts
In summary, the majority of bone china is microwave safe. This is because they do not absorb electromagnetic energy and do not have any moisture content. As a result, Bone Chinaware is not heated by microwaves; rather, it is heated by conduction from the food that is cooked on or inside the dishware.
However, keep in mind that porcelain and ceramics in general are thermally sensitive, which means that rapid temperature changes could result in broken tableware. Do not, therefore, remove dinnerware from the freezer and immediately place it in a hot microwave, or remove hot dinnerware from the microwave and immediately place it in the freezer.
You should carefully reheat a cold plate in a cool oven. For the first ten minutes, limit the range to 225°F or less. You may then adjust the temperature to your liking.
Check the following guides to learn what kind of materials can be put in the microwave!
FAQs
Does Bone China Get Hot in the Microwave?
It’s best not to microwave bone china dishes while they’re hot. However, they typically warm up as a result of conduction from the food that was cooked with them.
What Temperature Can Bone China Withstand?
Dinnerware made of bone china is strong, long-lasting, translucent, chip-resistant, and portable for daily use. Dishwasher, Microwave and Oven Safe up to 400°F. Between 2102°F and 2282°F are the firing temperatures.
What Are the Cons of Bone China?
Bone china is expensive to produce and has high overhead costs during the raw material acquisition phase. This significantly raises the cost of bone china, making it more of a luxury than a necessity.
