Tableware/eating dishes

[gardenmommy]

I have the need (opportunity) to replace our plates, etc., and I am wondering what I should get. We currently have a Mikasa pattern. Although I like it, it isn't particularly durable, as evidenced by the fact that about half our stuff has been broken over the last 3 years (we've had it for about 14; the majority of the breakage has occurred in the last 3).

Here is what I'd like:

Durable
Not plastic
Probably not metal (I am trying to see how I would like metal, and am having trouble with the visual image, lol)
Preferably not made in China
Reasonably priced (we have 4 children, so we need a fair amount)
Easy on the eyes, although this is secondary to the above
Easy to replace

If you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them!

[babycarrier]

Corelle? We have some at work and they are nice looking. I'm thinking of replacing our home stuff as I have a, in my mind, beautiful mix of plates and bowls that is constantly being chipped. Also, kinda chunky. Corelle is so streamlined and you can fit a bunch in a small place, easy to wash and store. Made in USA

[audsma]

Oh! I'm sad to hear about your Mikasa! I just bought a set back in May and I love it. Should I fast forward ahead 11 years and expect to replace it? (We had to buy it because our original dishes-- ours for 15 years, MIL's before that for who knows how many-- she likes to buy dishes and then gets tired of them-- were breaking to the point that I had only 3 salad plates left. That's where I draw the line: no extras to entertain even a single guest with! Perhaps 14-15 years is shelf life for most dishes.)

[Meems]

fiestaware!! lead free, made in USA, super cute!

[LCB]

Oh, I second the Corelle! I love that stuff. We used to use stoneware and it was quite bulky, heavy, took up so much room in the dishwasher and the cabinets, and broke if you looked at it wrong. So I went and bought a set of Corelle and I will never go back! It's thin, stackable, light, durable, cute patterns, and I just love it. I also usually try and buy things from local places so at least it's made in the USA.

[gardenmommy]

I had forgotten about corelle. What is fiestaware? I have never heard of that. Guess I'll have to google it.

audsma: we have a lovely pattern, and it really held up quite well until the kids started loading/unloading the dishwasher, and generally helping out with the dishes. I think it is more carelessness on their parts. However, I will also say that they have marked up very badly. I am not sure why, but using metal (good quality, not cheapo stuff) flatware has cause the plates and whatnot to be marked with grey lines throughout. It was fairly expensive, and I am disappointed with it. I really though Mikasa would last us longer. Oh well, at least I get to look for something new.

[lightheart]

I love my corelle, one thing I like is that you can find odd pieces at thrifts or garage sales and the plates/bowls all fit together in the cabinet and don't clash eyewise on the table. They are making some square/weird shaped ones which I'm staying away from because of the shapes not stacking well)

I know you said not probably metal, but we have some stainless steel (shiny silver) bowls we use for cereal and snacks they are nice, lightweight and unbreakable. Ours were bought at the dollar type store in the pet section (probably not US made, but I'm sure someplace in the US does make them)

[SAHDS]

I second the Fiesta! I like them because they have a bit of heft to them and aren't 'dainty' and can buy piece by piece to replace if needed.

[jrabbit]

love my Fiesta! We have 4 colors and there have been hardly any breaks. However, we're planning to sell our house and live in an RV for as long as we can, so Fiesta isn't going to work for us anymore because it *is* heavy. It's not important enough to me to keep in storage, so I'll be selling the lot of it next spring (it suits our house, so we will continue to use it while we're staging the house to sell)

Anyway, we're also looking for new dish ideas. I've seen bamboo bowls, that have me curious. I like the idea of metal, but I don't like the idea of buying at dollar stores. I hate corelle - it chips entirely too easily (we bought it to use at my store because it was supposedly durable, but that hasn't been proven, so there is no way I'd use it at home).

Is there any reason to think that melamine is evil? I've read that it doesn't have the toxin issues of "normal" plastic, but I'm not sure where. There are lots of cute patterns, and vintage stuff is fun, too, but I don't want to buy it unless it's a good decision.

[homefrontgirl]

Originally Posted by Meems

fiestaware!! lead free, made in USA, super cute!

Agreed! I've used it since I got married and it's awesome. (I'd forgotten that is' made in the USA. Bonus!)

[ekortering]

Another vote for Corelle!

My grandma had Corelle, my mom has Corelle, and I have Corelle. My first set was a floral pattern that I got sick of after 11 years of use, so I replaced it with plain white like my grandma used. I like it that I can find additional pieces very easily at the thrift store.

[gardenmommy]

I looked at the fiestaware. I like that! DH thought it was nice, too. I think we will look around a bit more, and then make a decision. Thank you for your advice!

[mamadelbosque]

We have "grannyware" from lehmans. Its what my family has always used and I love it. Its all but indestructable (in 28 years we've never had to replace a single thing), goes in the oven easy. Doesn't go in the microwave, but oh well.

[vm9799]

we have fiestaware and : LOVE LOVE LOVE : it! we've had the same sets for over 5 years with only 1 piece broken.......and it was my fault. super durable! and sooo many beautiful colors to choose from! we have 8 sets in 8 different colors.....i like to mix and match.