topic Re: glaze on dishes in Kitchen

glaze on dishes

idiotshopper — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 16:55:16 GMT

Lately, I have been concerned about food safety and have swapped out almost all of my plastic containers. My adult son seems to forget and put them in microwave and from what I've read lately NO PLASTIC is safe for the microwave. If it says microwave safe, it means the container is safe, not me. So I'm now wondering about the glaze on cookware. Since most I have is made in China, I learned their glaze usually has chemicals I don't believe is safe. I'm just about at the point of getting rid of everything except Corelle and even it has to be currently manufactured. I would love some comments.

Re: glaze on dishes

Still Raining — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 17:09:21 GMT

I do have some plastic items for cabinet and refrigerator storage, but I do not put them in the microwave ever.

Long ago I got rid of all my 'nonstick' cookware.

I know others are not as fussy about things like this. To each their own.

Re: glaze on dishes

patbz — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 17:12:56 GMT

Don't have any non stick; almost everything else is stainless steel ( from a variety of makers but its all wonderful).

Re: glaze on dishes

Kachina624 — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 18:07:58 GMT

@idiotshopper. The only glaze I've ever heard of being potentially dangerous is that applied to ceramics containing lead. Any acid content of a vessel can cause it to leech into liquid, like lemonade in a pitcher. Most of the problem has been with ceramics from Mexico. There are test kits available to detect lead on ceramic glazes.

Cookware is not glazed; it's baked enamel.

Have you done research online, like Google?

Re: glaze on dishes

Sooner — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 18:09:11 GMT

Do some research. A surprising number of china and other glazed dishes have lead content. You need to read because it is a complicated issue.

Re: glaze on dishes

Mz iMac — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 18:38:29 GMT

@idiotshopper wrote:
I've read lately NO PLASTIC is safe for the microwave.

@idiotshopper Care to share your source?

Re: glaze on dishes

idiotshopper — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 18:39:51 GMT

Yes, I am concerned about my Temptations dishes.

Re: glaze on dishes

SilleeMee — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 18:55:09 GMT

'Glaze' on cookware is usually found on enameled pots/pans. The enamel is the glaze, Look for newer/reputable brands for safety.

'Glaze' on dishware is usually found as a coating on ceramic and the same thing applies there where finding a newer, reputable brand will provide you with a safer product.

As for Corelle, older pieces that have decorative designs applied to them may not be safe b/c the designs may contain lead. It's not the glass part but the design part that's bad.

Re: glaze on dishes

Kachina624 — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 18:59:07 GMT

It's supposed to be illegal for lead-bearing coatings to be sold in the US. As I said previously you can buy a test kit at hardware stores to test them.

I doubt many are being sold today. I'm surely not worried about it. The danger would be mostly to children.

Re: glaze on dishes

Desert Lily — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 19:17:08 GMT

Cadmium (a toxic carcinogenic) has also been used in glazes.

I think there are websites that tell the chemicals used in particular dishes & accessories.

@Kachina624 In one of my novels, I had a character that accidentally made several people ill because he had way too much cadmium in beer steins he had produced lol.

Re: glaze on dishes

Mz iMac — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 19:23:13 GMT

@Desert Lily You're a published author?

Re: glaze on dishes

Kachina624 — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 19:29:27 GMT

@Desert Lily wrote:
Cadmium (a toxic carcinogenic) has also been used in glazes.

I think there are websites that tell the chemicals used in particular dishes & accessories.

@Kachina624 In one of my novels, I had a character that accidentally made several people ill because he had way too much cadmium in beer steins he had produced lol.

@Desert Lily. I believe cadmium is yellow. I don't think I ever had anything yellow in my kitchen.

Re: glaze on dishes

PhilaLady1 — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 19:32:48 GMT

I've made it this far in life without being overly concerned with many things. I don't expect to live forever anyway.

Re: glaze on dishes

SilleeMee — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 20:23:07 GMT

We probably get more lead from the air we breathe than from pots/pans or dishes we use.

Re: glaze on dishes

Sooner — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 20:36:34 GMT

Lots of dishes, not just very old ones, have high lead content in the glazes from what I have read. Brands like Lenox and Wedgwood, etc.

Cracks form in the glaze, even ones you can't see, and can be an issue--especially in things like teapots used often. Then there is lead crystal such as Waterford.

Re: glaze on dishes

NYCLatinaMe — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 22:00:16 GMT

@Mz iMac wrote:
@idiotshopper wrote:
I've read lately NO PLASTIC is safe for the microwave.
@idiotshopper Care to share your source?

@Mz iMac @idiotshopper

I read the same, but decided not to fret over, just minimize. NY Times "Microplastics Are Everywhere. Here’s How to Avoid Eating Them." April 21, 2025. I just googled to find the article and found another piece, this one from Bon Appetit, literally entitled "Definitely Do Not Put Plastic in the Microwave" from September 16, 2023. The black plastic, from several sources, do not use in food at all was the guidance. Many of my cooking utensils are black and they went in the trash. I do eat out a lot, so I am guessing I am getting some exposure. So I just minimize it. Use glass and I get Biodegradable Heavy Duty Paper Plates, Made of Natural Sugarcane Fibers, Unbleached, from Amazon that are microwavable for when I don't want to clean. I still buy products with plastic wraps and use ziploc bags because it's hard.

Re: glaze on dishes

Wildhorses14 — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 03:59:09 GMT

Awhile ago I had done the same thing and switched to primarily glass storage containers, still with plastic lids (Pyrex). Plus I use Corelle or Lenox dishes. I had called and asked some company about lead and was told that there is a limit that is allowed and it is better to just get plain dishes. Plus for glasses you can sometimes tap on them to help determine if there is lead. There are lots of mystery medals in bowls or other items too including pet bowls. Basis pet company makes great stainless pet bowls and tests for lead, cadmium and mercury.

Re: glaze on dishes

faeriemoon — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 13:42:48 GMT

Regarding glaze on dishes, this was a huge issue at least twenty or so years ago when there was a big concern about OLDER Fiestaware. Apparently there was lead in the glaze and people were instructed not to use it. At that time people were warned to look for safety disclaimers on their dinnerware stating that it was fully vitrified and lead-free, and also warned to be wary of products from China.

Since that time Fiestaware still clearly states that their product is vitrified and safe, because people want to be confident that the dishes they are using are not harmful.

Re: glaze on dishes

branny — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 13:54:44 GMT

omg. Trying too keep up with everything is too much already. I'm still hoping I survive this hurricane season.