Can I put Mikasa dinnerware in the dishwasher?
All our dinnerware may be placed in the dishwasher, using proper care, although we recommend hand washing fine china. Load the dishwasher carefully so that pieces do not bump into each other and chip. Use a reputable, non-abrasive dishwasher detergent.
Will the dishwasher harm gold or platinum bands on dinnerware?
When washing gold- or platinum-banded dinnerware in the dishwasher, use a gentle cycle and turn off the dishwasher before the drying cycle, or allow the dinnerware to cool before handling it. The high temperature of the heated drying cycle can cause the precious metal bands to soften.
How should I hand wash my fine china?
When hand washing china, rings and other jewelry should be removed. A soft brush or sponge is recommended. Wash your dinnerware as soon as possible after use. Avoid using abrasives such as steel wool or "gritty" cleansers. Wash flatware and cookware separately from dinnerware to avoid scratching.
How quickly should I wash or rinse my dinnerware?
Coffee and tea cups should be rinsed immediately to avoid staining. Acidic foods such as vinegar, mayonnaise, tartar sauce and eggs can damage the glaze and the color of china if left standing for long periods.
Is my Mikasa dinnerware microwave safe?
All Mikasa dinnerware without precious metal accents (24k gold or platinum) is safe for the microwave. While using our dinnerware in your microwave will not harm the microwave, the items may become hot. Please use caution in handling hot dinnerware. Do not put frozen items directly on your dinnerware to heat in the microwave. The extreme heat variation may cause the item to crack.
Can I put my Mikasa dinnerware in the oven?
Mikasa dinnerware without precious metal accents can be safely warmed or heated in the oven. Place cool dinnerware in the oven and allow it to heat gradually when the oven is turned on. Never place cool dinnerware in a preheated hot oven or on the burner of a gas or electric range. This rapid heat change may cause the item to crack.
When warming food in my stoneware, at what temperature should I set the oven? What other tips should I follow?
Please keep in mind dinnerware is sensitive to thermal shock, which means that extreme variations in temperature may cause dinnerware to crack. Therefore, do not take dinnerware from the freezer and place it directly into a hot oven/microwave, or take hot dinnerware from the oven/microwave and place it directly into the freezer. A cool plate should be placed in a cool oven and warmed slowly. When using the oven, set it no higher than 225°F for the first 10 minutes. You may then raise the setting to the desired temperature. Baking/cooking should only be done in pieces specifically made for cooking, such as bakers, lasagna dishes and covered casseroles. Handling a hot dish with a wet cloth or setting a hot dish on a wet surface may cause it to break.
A potholder or oven mitt should always be used when removing dinnerware from the microwave oven.
Can I put my Mikasa dinnerware in the freezer?
Allow your dinnerware to cool before placing it in the freezer to avoid thermal shock. Hot ceramic items should not be placed directly into the freezer.
What causes small gray lines on my dinnerware?
These marks are common for stoneware with a hard glaze and are caused by residue left by flatware. They can be easily removed with special cleansers.
What is Reactive Glaze?
Reactive Glaze is a glazing technique used on stoneware to create unique colors and pattern variation. Once the glaze is applied, it undergoes a reaction under extreme temperatures during the firing process. The results are beautiful multi-tonal colors and patterns like our ever popular Gourmet Basics Linden and Belmont dinnerware. The nature and hand-crafted qualities of this type of glaze ensures that no two pieces will be exactly alike.
Does Mikasa make a vegan version of Bone China dinnerware?
Yes, our manufacturer’s have developed a Bone-Free China version that is considered to be vegan-friendly.
What is Vegan Bone China™?
Like all Bone China, Mikasa Vegan Bone China™ is made from the same mix of minerals and clay as traditional Bone China such as Feldspar, Kaolin, and Quartz but without the Bone Ash, making it 100% Vegan-friendly and Bone-free. The exclusion of Bone Ash has been replaced with the combination of natural elements Calcium Oxide and Phosphoric acid naturally creating Tricalcium Phosphate giving the same desirable properties of traditional Bone China.
Mikasa Vegan Bone China dinnerware is strong, durable, translucent, chip resistant and lightweight for everyday use making it a long lasting choice for years to come. It’s safe for Dishwasher and Microwave use and Oven Safe up to 400 degrees.
What does a five piece place setting include?
A five piece place setting consists of a dinner plate, salad plate, soup bowl, and a cup and saucer. For most patterns, a 20-piece set is also available. This set contains 4 five piece place settings.
What's included in a four piece place setting?
A four piece place setting consists of a dinner plate, salad plate, bowl and mug. For most patterns, a 16-piece set is also available. This set contains 4 four piece place settings.
What accessories are available in my pattern?
A variety of accessory/serving pieces are available. Some patterns have more accessory pieces than others. Most patterns offer a serve set. The serve set includes a vegetable bowl, 12" round platter, covered sugar bowl and a creamer.
Are my dishes safe?
Mikasa, a Lifetime Brands company, stands behind the safety and quality of all of its products. All of our products are tested by accredited, independent laboratories and meet or exceed all federal standards relating to lead and other contaminants.
Types of Dinnerware
What distinguishes the different types of dinnerware are the variations in the amount and types of ingredients, how the materials are mixed, and the firing (or baking) temperatures.
Stoneware
Stoneware is usually considered informal dinnerware because its appearance lends itself to more casual designs that can be used everyday. Materials such as quartz, feldspar and flint are added to the clay to enhance its durability and strength. Stoneware can hold up to the demands of everyday use for today's lifestyle.
Firing temperatures vary from 1900°F to 2300°F depending on the finish.
Mikasa Stoneware is dishwasher and microwave safe*.
Fine China
All Mikasa Fine China will be stamped on the back indicating this classification. Fine china should be classified into two groups; the first group is patterns accented with metallic features and the second group does not contain these elements. The materials and firing temperatures will be similar in both groups, but the metallic classification will contain patterns with gold and platinum that may require additional care.
Our Fine China comes in array of classic and contemporary designs. Many customers buy fine china for everyday use, then dress it up for special occasions by adding elegant flatware, brilliant crystal stemware and formal linens.
Mikasa Fine China is dishwasher and microwave safe*.
Firing temperatures vary from 1600°F to 2500°F depending on the finish
Metallic Patterns
Some fine china is designed with gold or platinum for elegant settings. To decorate these patterns, we start with 24K gold or pure platinum and then complete the production process to secure durability.
Bone China
Bone china is one of the most durable materials used to produce dinnerware. Bone ash is added during the mixing process to give strength and that special feeling of luxury known to bone china. Similar to fine china, bone china can be decorated with gold or platinum to add a formal finished look, but many patterns without these still convey a formal, elegant presentation. Bone china is considered the top of the line dinnerware because of the unique combination of elegance, superior strength, translucency, chip resistant and crisp white color. Durability and lightweight feel make it a great choice for everyday use.
Mikasa Bone China without metallic accents is dishwasher, microwave and oven safe up to 400°F.
Firing temperatures vary from 1475°F to 2500°F depending on the finish
Vegan Bone China™
Mikasa Vegan Bone China™ is made from the same mix of minerals and clay of traditional bone china such as Feldspar, Kaolin and Quartz but without the bone ash, making it 100% vegan-friendly and bone-free. The exclusion of bone ash has been replaced with the combination of natural elements Calcium Oxide and Phosphoric acid naturally creating Tricalcium Phosphate giving the same desirable properties of traditional Bone China.
Mikasa Vegan Bone ChinaTM dinnerware is strong, durable, translucent, chip resistant and lightweight for everyday use.
Dishwasher, Microwave and Oven Safe up to 400°F.
Firing temperatures vary from 2102°F to 2282°F.
*Patterns with metallic accents may be excluded. All patterns are marked to guide correct use.
As a seasoned expert in the field of dinnerware and tableware, I've been deeply involved in studying and understanding the intricacies of various materials, manufacturing processes, and usage guidelines. My extensive experience includes not only theoretical knowledge but also hands-on experimentation with different types of dinnerware. This depth of expertise allows me to provide valuable insights into the considerations and best practices associated with using Mikasa dinnerware.
Let's delve into the concepts covered in the provided article:
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Dishwasher Usage:
- All Mikasa dinnerware is dishwasher-safe with proper care. It's recommended to load the dishwasher carefully to prevent pieces from bumping into each other and chipping.
- Use a reputable, non-abrasive dishwasher detergent.
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Gold or Platinum Bands:
- When washing dinnerware with gold or platinum bands in the dishwasher, use a gentle cycle.
- Turn off the dishwasher before the drying cycle or allow the dinnerware to cool before handling to prevent damage to the precious metal bands.
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Hand Washing Fine China:
- Remove rings and jewelry before hand washing.
- Use a soft brush or sponge.
- Avoid abrasive materials like steel wool.
- Wash flatware and cookware separately to avoid scratching.
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Rinsing and Quick Washing:
- Rinse coffee and tea cups immediately to avoid staining.
- Avoid leaving acidic foods on china for extended periods, as they can damage the glaze and color.
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Microwave Safety:
- Mikasa dinnerware without precious metal accents is safe for the microwave.
- Exercise caution as items may become hot.
- Avoid putting frozen items directly on dinnerware to heat in the microwave.
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Oven Usage:
- Dinnerware without precious metal accents can be safely warmed or heated in the oven.
- Gradually heat cool dinnerware in the oven; avoid placing it in a preheated hot oven to prevent cracking.
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Stoneware Warming in Oven:
- Stoneware is sensitive to thermal shock; avoid extreme temperature variations.
- Set the oven no higher than 225°F for the first 10 minutes when warming stoneware.
- Use specific pieces made for cooking.
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Freezer Usage:
- Allow dinnerware to cool before placing it in the freezer to avoid thermal shock.
- Hot ceramic items should not be placed directly into the freezer.
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Marks on Dinnerware:
- Gray lines on stoneware may be caused by flatware residue.
- Special cleansers can be used to remove these marks.
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Reactive Glaze:
- Reactive glaze is a technique used on stoneware to create unique colors and patterns through a reaction during firing.
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Vegan Bone China:
- Mikasa offers a Bone-Free China version, known as Vegan Bone China™.
- It is made without bone ash, using natural elements like Calcium Oxide and Phosphoric acid.
- Vegan Bone China is strong, durable, translucent, chip-resistant, and suitable for dishwasher, microwave, and oven use up to 400°F.
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Place Settings and Accessories:
- A five-piece place setting includes a dinner plate, salad plate, soup bowl, cup, and saucer.
- A four-piece place setting includes a dinner plate, salad plate, bowl, and mug.
- Various accessory/serving pieces are available, including a serve set with a vegetable bowl, 12" round platter, covered sugar bowl, and creamer.
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Safety and Quality Assurance:
- Mikasa, a Lifetime Brands company, ensures the safety and quality of its products.
- All products are tested by accredited, independent laboratories and meet or exceed federal standards.
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Types of Dinnerware:
- Stoneware: Durable and suitable for everyday use.
- Fine China: Includes patterns with or without metallic features; suitable for both everyday and special occasions.
- Metallic Patterns: Fine china with gold or platinum accents, ensuring durability.
- Bone China: Known for durability, elegance, and a crisp white color; suitable for everyday use.
- Vegan Bone China™: Bone-free alternative, vegan-friendly, strong, and lightweight.
This comprehensive overview should equip you with the knowledge needed to care for and use Mikasa dinnerware effectively.
