Suggestions for Dinnerware and Flatware

tea4one · #1 11-12-2009, 02:14 PM

I am in need of new dinnerware. My old set has too many chips, cracks, and they are really looking dirty in the grooves that are on the rim of the plate. I have in the past, had plastic, I thought at the time, it was a good idea because it wouldn't break as easily. That got scratched up fast and was replaced with my current dinnerware. It took a while to get the chips and everything that is wrong with my current set but it is time to replace it. I thought of buying correlle or Mikasa but those are the only two sets of dinnerware that I know are pretty durable dinnerware.

The flatware needs to be of good quality, durable, sturdy, and not rust. I do currrently own a fairly large set of reed and barton but I am ready for a new and not too ornate, small set of flatware as well.

What are your suggestions? Keep in mind that this is for every day so no fancy bone china or ornate flatware, but it would be nice to have some of that too.

Also, even though I don't own one right now, both the dinnerware and the flatware must be dish washer safe.

erin elizabeth · #2 11-12-2009, 03:48 PM

I like my Oneida silverware from Kohl's. Used a coupon and it was a good price. Of course, with Black Friday coming up you might be able to find a really good price. And it was made in the USA when I bought it--not sure if it still is. It has a good weight and feel to it.

I have a set of everyday dishes from Pier One and a set of Pfaltzcraft. Both have lasted a long time and I like the patterns/colors available. I was at Kmart the other day and there were a bunch of Martha Stewart dish sets on clearance for $20 (not sure of how many place settings though). They had some nice patterns, too, but I don't know how they would wear.

I use the dishwasher for both the silverware and the dishes and they're fine.

___Rhianna___ · #3 11-12-2009, 05:46 PM

I have Oneida flatware (Easton pattern) and Mikasa dinnerware (Arabella). I have had these for over 15 years and have been very pleased with their durability. I wash them both in the dishwasher, and I've never experienced chips with the dinnerware no matter how many times I've clumsily clunked them onto the countertop. I have dropped and broken some but I've replaced them easily at Replacements, Ltd.

apple*tart · #4 11-13-2009, 09:17 AM

One thing I'd recommend is to buy your dishes first. If they end up being stoneware, I'd suggest getting flatware with 0% nickel (the box will probably say something like 18/0). Turns out it is the nickel in flatware that causes the gray scuff marks on stoneware. Someone gave me this advice several years ago when my husband and I were registering, and I took it. No scuff marks on our dishes to date, and while we were "warned" that nickel-free flatware may corrode, we've noticed none of that in the several years we've been using it, and it's gone through the dishwasher thousands of times. I think this is because we took the other piece of advice we were given - don't use dishwasher detergent with citrus in it if you have nickel-free flatware. FWIW, we bought both our everyday dishes and our flatware from big-box stores and neither were super expensive. Our nicer dishes came from pottery barn.

srahndennis · #5 11-13-2009, 10:00 AM

I have Fiesta ware and love it! I've had it quite some time -- at least five years, probably longer. I chose four different colors. They've been very durable -- no broken pieces yet. There are some small scratches on the lighter color (sunflower yellow) but they aren't that noticable and don't bother me a bit.

I'm looking for flatware, too. See the thread I started yesterday. Great minds!

http://www.community.cookinglight.co...d.php?t=130931

mkc · #6 11-13-2009, 10:39 AM

We have a Lenox everyday dinnerware, I think the underside says "Casuals" or something. I don't know if they make it anymore (and I think Dansk actually made it for Lenox). But it's very durable. We bought it at a Lenox outlet ages ago.

I've also seen the Mikasa everyday in person and it looks and feels similar, very durable. I'd lean towards some of that (especially if I found a nice pattern at an outlet

)

My s-i-l has Pfaltzgraff and has fits with the chipping and breaking. We used some in a furnished rental and it was quite banged up, despite being fairly new (and the rental was in a retirement community so not subjected to family-use abuse). I read somewhere that it shouldn't go in the microwave (it heats up - our rental stuff got VERY hot the one time I reheated on a plate).

Michelle

avariell · #7 11-13-2009, 10:58 AM

Made in the USA/Not in China is super important to me these days, so I am very happy that my dishes are Fiesta. I definitely recommend them as well. I have had mine for years - probably going on 8 years now. I have service for at least 16 in just about every single shape they make (their seconds factory is semi-close so my dad likes picking me up stuff since I like all the colors so I am easy to buy for). Over those 8 years I have only had one piece break!

tea4one · #8 11-16-2009, 07:19 AM

I would like to try fiesta but I would have to order it and have been trying to keep from ordering anything online. I decided to go with Correlle for my dinnerware, it is the country cottage pattern and I am not happy that the coffee cups are made in China. Now I think I will try and find service for one flatware. Only so I can try differnet patterns.

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