To think expensive mugs don't chip less?

[Kokapetl]

We needs some new mugs and plates. DH is saying that the reason they got chipped and broken is because they were poor quality "cheap" ones from places like M&S and Debenhams and that we should buy really expensive ones because they will last longer.

IABU to think this is nonsense? I really don't think it makes a difference and we have had the old plates and mugs for over 10 years, through 6 house moves and with two DC!

My Denby mugs didn’t last long as I chipped them all on the taps. I’m currently drinking out of my ‘hotdesking’ £1.50 mug from Tesco, which I’ve had 9 years, and which used to get carried around with me on my bike.

I'm with you, the only reason expensive crockery seems to last longer is that it tends to be used for best

If you chip your crockery so much, surely it would make sense to buy cheap stuff? I have cheap crockery because I just want to throw it in the dishwasher and not think about it.

I can’t think of any reason more expensive crockery would chip less. If anything, it’s likely to be finer and therefore more fragile.

I got rid of all my old mugs that had come from a variety of places and bought all Denby ones this time last year.

To date I don't have a single chip, but I think it's probably down to luck rather than there being anything more to it.

The mugs in my cupboard that have outlived Denby, Portmeirion and other expensive china are... from Sainsbury’s

In my experience it's a little bit true of plates and not at all true of mugs.

I'm another one disappointed by expensive Denby crockery. We have 3 sets of crockery. A cheapy set from Wilkinsons that's about 20 years old. Some 10 YO ikea ones, also cheap, obviously and last November I splashed out in the Black Friday sale and got some Denby, which even at sale prices was eye-wateringly expensive compared to our older stuff. It's all already scratched and faded so it's all different colours and looks worse than the old cheap stuff.

It depends what the crockery is made from really what what it costs, earthen ware is not durable and chips easily, stone ware is a bit more durable, porcelain or China is more durable and can be thinner and bone china is the strongest and most durable China although often the most expensive.

To me, Debenhams and M&S isn't cheap stuff either. That would be the posh stuff compared to ikea and Wilkinsons.

Expensive crockery is probably a waste of money unless you are well off as you worry too much about breaking it. Buying something cheap that you like is probably the way to go.

Damm, not what it costs

I have mostly Denby mugs, they have no chips and some are over 20 years old.
I only buy Denby crockery now.

Expensive crockery is made from fine porcelain which is very delicate and will break / chip easily. You need bog standard crockery if you want durability, so you are right and your DH is wrong.

I bought the cheap IKEA dinner set and it was all broken within a year.

Does anywhere sell ceramic dinner sets? I think we need something stronger.

We have chipped Denby cups!

If your plates and mugs have lasted 10 years through house moves and DC then I don't think they owe you anything, sounds like they have done well. My experience is that expensive china/porcelain mugs seem to stain more easily & chip just as easily as cheap crockery. I wouldn't buy expensive unless it was because I particularly loved the design/colour etc. I treated myself to denby mugs & plates just because I love the colour/design & like its chunkiness for everyday use. I think supermarket china is good value & perfectly nice.

DW brought some very pretty Royal Doulton from John Lewis, at a reduced price because it was end of line, I think.

20 years later none of it is damaged.

Mind you, we've only used the teapot and cups twice, and have never used the plates.

I really like my £1.50 per mug Waitrose mugs. Plain, simple and unchipped. Unlike the Denby mugs. Oh, and if you can get them, the Aldi Le Crueset copies are fabulous!

Great, thanks all! Especially to Mozzybites for explaining the different materials.

Wilko's it is. 😉

I bought some really lovely textured mugs from Poundland and they have outlasted all my expensive ones!

I buy my mugs form the charity shop. Last lot I bought were lovely Laura Ashley fine bone china. £3.00 for 8 mugs!!!

*from the charity shop

Wilkos is a good choice, they have some surprisingly nice homeware stuff there.

DH and DD are both dyspraxic so I gave up with the posh stuff years ago. Nowadays everything comes from Morrisons or Ikea. Everything is plain white, so it matches no matter when I bought it. I never pay more than £1 max for a wine glass either.

The worst time was when DD managed to smash four £50 Wedgewood plates in one go!

My IKEA set chips a lot, especially the mugs and bowls. I seem to be picking up a replacement one every time I go in.

We had some mugs from wilkos- they all broke very quickly. However we replaced them with some plain coloured ikea mugs and they seem to be ok. And we have a porcelain sink where the slightest thing will smash if it falls in. My work mug is from wilkos and that has lasted.