FAQs
Tableware – Porcelain and Earthenware
Designed for modern day living, Portmeirion’s tableware is ‘Oven-to-Table’ and dishwasher safe. It has been designed to perform at temperatures normally used when cooking – Porcelain tableware up to 200°C / 400°F / UK Gas Mark 6, Earthenware tableware 170°C / 340°F / UK Gas Mark 3 and in microwaves* (providing the dish is at least ½ full with food or liquid).
* Microwave safe items can be identified by the wording “Microwave Safe” on their Backstamp.
It can even go from freezer to oven (providing the dish is at least ½ full with food or liquid).
Please note that gold accented collections, including Spode Christmas Tree Gold, Sara Miller London Chelsea, Celestial and Piccadilly collections are not microwave safe.
Tips:
Try to heat tableware items gradually.
Don’t place empty ware into a microwave or hot oven. Make sure it contains some food or liquid.
Don’t place your tableware onto a direct source of heat such as a hob.
Cleaning Your Tableware
All Portmeirion’s earthenware and Porcelain tableware is easy to clean either using a dishwasher or by hand using conventional hand-wash detergents.
Ceramic articles with gold or metallic decorations are typically not suitable for use in microwaves or dishwashers unless specified on their Backstamp.
Dishwasher Guidelines for Ceramics
Dishwashers have become a staple part of our homes and when used correctly can be used to maintain the appearance of your Portmeirion ceramic ware*.
*Dishwasher safe items can be identified by the wording “Dishwasher Safe” on their Backstamp.
Incorrect washing can result in faults such as fading of print and Crazing (spider web-like cracks). Crazing is a result of water soaking into the earthenware body and expanding when heated in a high dishwasher temperature cycle.
By washing your ceramic ware as soon as possible after use and following these guidelines should help maintain the appearance and functionality of your Portmeirion Ceramic Tableware.
Pre-Clean
Do not use an abrasive material to remove left over food.
Do not soak items in water to remove residues – this may facilitate Crazing.
Rinse off any residues with a damp cloth.
Loading the Dishwasher
Place items so that they are not in contact with any other item/ surface.
Keep metallic items (such as cutlery) separate from the ceramic items.
Cleaning Cycle
The use of water softeners will be prevent the build-up of lime scale (particularly in hard water areas).
A mild liquid detergent will be less abrasive on ceramic items than detergents in powder/ tablet form.
Ensure the correct quantity of detergent is used (as specified by your dishwasher manufacturer)
Do not allow items to become in direct contact with the detergent.
Use a low temperature programme (as specified by your dishwasher manufacturer).
Post Clean
Once the cycle has finished, open the door to prevent any condensation forming on the items.
Allow the items to air dry.
Do not stack hot or wet ceramic items.
Cutlery
Portmeirion’s cutlery items such as cake slices, teaspoons and pastry forks are made from stainless steel and have beautiful porcelain handles. We always recommend that these are hand washed in mild soapy water and dried with a soft cloth.
Textiles
Our textiles are made from excellent quality materials and are designed for everyday use. As with all textiles, wear and tear will occur so we recommend that they be washed at 40° and spun at 1000rpm, but of course, if you want to save a little energy, all our textiles can be washed at 30°. Be sure to wash similar colours together.
Placemats & Coasters
Our placemats and coasters are brought to you by our sister brand Pimpernel.
Using the highest quality materials, these placemats and coasters provide a durable surface to protect surfaces from heat, scratches and staining. All placemats and coasters in the Pimpernel collection are made using an unrivalled layering system with a cork base, hardwood middle, fantastic design and protective, hard-wearing surface.
Designed for everyday living, our placemats and coasters are resistant to normal household stains and withstand temperatures up to the boiling point of water.
They are not suitable for use as chopping boards.
We recommend that you clean placemats and coasters with a damp sponge and dry with a soft cloth. DO NOT immerse in water or put in a dishwasher.
Glass
Some of our glass items are labelled hand wash only and should not be placed in a dishwasher.
All glass with gold decoration is hand wash only.
To prolong the life of your glass we recommend the following:
Hand wash in warm soapy water and avoid the use of any abrasive detergents or materials
Do not heat or cool too quickly to avoid thermal shock
Do not put glass in a microwave
Glasses that are not labelled 'Hand wash only' can be cleaned in a dishwasher under the following guidelines:
Run dishwasher on a gentle cycle, ideally less than 40°c
Use a mild liquid detergent
Trays
All trays are heat resistant with a wipe clean surface.
Sophie Conran for Portmeirion Cookware
Glass lid instructions
Before use
Our toughened glass lid is super strong, conveniently transparent and oven safe to 180°C/355°F. However, glass can break under certain circumstances.
Please read the following instructions to prevent damage.
Cooking
Avoid placing the glass lid directly on a hot-plate, as this greatly reduces breakage resistance.
Use only plastic or wooden utensils.
Avoid extreme temperature change when using the lid.
Cleaning
Avoid using scouring pads or harsh abrasives to clean your lid, as this may scratch the glass surface and reduce its breakage resistance.
If you clean your cookware in the dishwasher you may notice the base discolours over time; this is a chemical reaction between the dishwasher salt and the aluminium. Using too much salt can accelerate the reaction and soot could form, we recommend that you follow your dishwasher manufacturers’ guide for salt addition. This discolouration will not affect the performance of your cookware.
Candles
Portmeirion’s candles have undergone an exhaustive testing programme in order to ensure that they meet the highest quality and safety standards. As with all candles, there are guidelines that need to be followed to ensure your safety.
Always read the safety/burning information that accompanies the candle before lighting. Keep this information for future use.
Remove all outer packaging before lighting.
Do not place candles in direct sunlight or on/near a direct heat source such as a fire or radiator as this can affect the way the candle burns. Remember that electrical items like television sets also get hot and therefore should be treated as a source of heat.
Candles should always be placed 10cm apart from each other.
Keep the candle away from flammable materials like curtains, bedding, clothing and hair, and allow adequate space above the candle for the heat from the flame.
Candles shouldn’t be burned in a draught as this can cause them to burn unevenly.
Place candles on a flat and stable surface so that they cannot fall or be knocked over.
Before lighting ensure the wick is trimmed to 0.5cm. If the flame becomes too large extinguish it, allow it to cool and the wax to harden, and trim the wick.
Never leave a burning candle unattended or fall asleep.
Keep out of the reach of children and pets.
Do not touch or move the candle when it is alight or hot.
When extinguishing a candle be aware of the flame and the hot wax. Using a candle snuffer is preferable.
Do not allow foreign objects such as spent matches to fall into the candle.
For tealight holders, never touch the tealight or holder when the candle is lit and wait for the holder to cool before moving.