Yes, most Crate and Barrel plates are microwave safe, but always check the back stamp and avoid putting dinnerware with metallic rims in the microwave.
You just finished a great meal and have leftovers to heat up tomorrow. Before you toss that stylish plate into the microwave, you need to be sure it can handle the heat. Most everyday dinnerware from this brand is built for convenience, but specific designs can spark, crack, or become dangerously hot.
Knowing which materials work and which ones cause trouble saves you from ruined dishes and burnt fingers. The answer often lies on the bottom of the plate, but understanding the materials gives you a better advantage.
Understanding Dinnerware Materials And Heat
Not all ceramics react the same way to microwaves. The clay composition and firing temperature determine whether a plate stays cool or absorbs energy until it burns your hand. Crate and Barrel sources products globally, so materials vary significantly between collections.
Stoneware and porcelain generally handle microwaves well. These materials are fired at high temperatures, making them non-porous and durable. However, earthenware typically fires at lower temperatures. This leaves the clay more porous, which can absorb moisture and heat up rapidly in the microwave.
Review this breakdown of common materials used in their product lines to judge safety at a glance.
| Material Type | Microwave Safety Status | Key Risk Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Porcelain | Typically Safe | Safe unless it features metallic trim (gold/platinum). |
| Stoneware | Typically Safe | Dense and durable; great for reheating food. |
| Earthenware | Use Caution | Porous clay can absorb water and get extremely hot. |
| Bone China | Check Label | Often contains metal accents; safe only if plain. |
| Melamine | Unsafe | Plastic-based; releases chemicals and warps under heat. |
| Metallic Trimmed | Unsafe | Gold or silver rims will cause arcing (sparks). |
| Glass | Typically Safe | Avoid thermal shock (cold glass in hot oven). |
| Acrylic | Unsafe | Will melt or warp; hand wash only recommended. |
Are Crate And Barrel Plates Microwave Safe? – The Detailed Rules
The vast majority of the brand’s everyday white dinnerware sets pass the test. Collections like “Aspen” or “Mercer” are staples specifically because they handle daily abuse, including dishwasher cycles and microwave reheating. The company designs these lines for functionality.
Problems usually arise with seasonal or decorative collections. Holiday plates often feature gold leaf, silver banding, or intricate decals containing metallic compounds. Even a thin line of silver on the rim acts like a lightning rod in a microwave. The electromagnetic waves reflect off the metal, causing arcing. This looks like miniature lightning bolts inside your appliance and can crack the plate or damage the microwave’s magnetron.
You also need to watch out for hand-glazed artisan bowls or plates. If the glaze has tiny fissures—a distinct crackle effect known as crazing—water can seep into the clay body during washing. When you microwave that plate later, the trapped water turns to steam and expands. This internal pressure can shatter the piece unexpectedly.
How To Read The Back Stamp Markings
The most reliable way to confirm safety is the manufacturer’s mark. Flip your plate over. You will likely see the Crate and Barrel logo followed by care symbols or text. This “back stamp” is the final authority for that specific item.
Look for the phrase “Microwave Safe.” If you see “Dishwasher Safe” but no mention of the microwave, proceed with caution. The absence of a “Microwave Safe” label often implies the item is not rated for it. If the text says “Hand Wash Only,” keep it out of the microwave entirely. Manufacturers use these warnings to protect delicate glazes that cannot withstand rapid temperature changes.
Sometimes the stamp wears off on older dishes. In these cases, inspect the rim. If you see any metallic shine, keep it out of the unit. If the plate feels unusually heavy and thick (typical of earthenware) but lacks a stamp, it might get too hot to handle. When in doubt, transfer your food to a glass container.
The Science of Thermal Shock
Even a microwave-safe plate can break if you ignore physics. Ceramics are susceptible to thermal shock. This happens when a material experiences a rapid temperature shift, causing uneven expansion or contraction. The resulting stress snaps the ceramic structure.
Never take a Crate and Barrel plate directly from the refrigerator or freezer and put it straight into the microwave on high power. The cold ceramic cannot expand fast enough to match the heating food, leading to cracks. Instead, let the plate sit at room temperature for a few minutes, or use a lower power setting to warm the food gradually.
This rule applies strictly to stoneware and glass. Porcelain is slightly more resistant but not immune. If you hear a loud pop while reheating, stop the cycle immediately. Check the plate for hairline fractures before using it again. A compromised plate is weaker and could break completely during the next use.
Conducting The Water Test On Unmarked Plates
If you bought a set second-hand or the label has faded, you can perform a simple test to check for safety. This standard method helps identify if the dish itself absorbs too much energy.
Place a microwave-safe cup filled with water next to (not on) the plate inside the microwave. Run the appliance on high for one minute. The goal is for the water to get hot while the plate remains cool. If the water is hot but the plate is cool to the touch, the plate is transparent to microwave energy and is safe to use.
If the plate is warm, it is absorbing some energy but might be okay for short reheating bursts. However, if the plate is hot and the water is cool, do not use it. This indicates the material is absorbing the microwaves instead of the water. This is dangerous as it can lead to overheating or exploding ceramics.
Microwave Safety For Crate And Barrel Dinnerware Lines
Navigating the specific product families helps you make quick decisions. Crate and Barrel separates their inventory into casual dinnerware and formal collections. Casual lines are almost always compatible with your appliances.
The Aspen and Mercer Collections
The Aspen collection is one of their best-sellers. It is made of porcelain, crisp white, and fully microwave safe. You can heat leftovers on these plates without fear. Similarly, the Mercer collection features a double-ridge design and uses durable porcelain. These are workhorses designed for modern kitchens.
Stoneware Collections
Lines like “Hue” or varying artisan-style stoneware sets are generally safe. Stoneware is fired at high heat, making it dense. These plates hold heat well, so your food stays warm, but the rim might get warm too. Use a potholder when removing them just to be safe.
Holiday and Decorative Sets
Be vigilant with Christmas or seasonal patterns. A plate featuring a gold reindeer or silver snowflakes contains real metal. These are strictly for table service. You must plate the food in the kitchen and serve it, rather than heating food directly on them. The Crate and Barrel product care instructions emphasize checking specific care guidelines for these seasonal items.
Why Some Plates Get Extremely Hot
You might notice that one specific bowl gets blistering hot while your soup stays lukewarm. This phenomenon usually points to the clay body or the glaze. Earthenware is the usual suspect here. Because it is fired at lower temperatures, microscopic air pockets remain in the clay.
Moisture from your dishwasher or sink works its way into these pockets through unglazed feet (the bottom ring) or tiny cracks in the glaze. When you microwave the dish, that trapped moisture boils. The superheated steam heats the ceramic from the inside out. This makes the dish dangerous to hold and prone to cracking.
If you own Crate and Barrel earthenware, you might want to reserve it for serving only. Using it for cooking or intense reheating degrades the material over time.
| Collection Name | Material | Microwave Status |
|---|---|---|
| Aspen | Porcelain | Safe |
| Mercer | Porcelain | Safe |
| Bennett | Stoneware | Safe |
| Marin | Stoneware | Safe (Gets Warm) |
| Hue | Stoneware | Safe |
| Holiday/Gold Rim | Various | NOT Safe |
| 18th Street | Porcelain | Safe |
Safe Alternatives For Reheating Food
If you discover your favorite plates are not safe, you need a backup plan. The best approach is to reheat food in cookware designed for that purpose, then transfer it to your dining plates. This keeps your table setting looking sharp without risking the dinnerware.
Glass containers, such as Pyrex, are the gold standard for microwave cooking. They are non-reactive and withstand thermal shock better than most ceramics. Silicone steamers are another excellent option. They allow you to heat food evenly without drying it out, and they are unbreakable.
Paper plates work for quick snacks, but they can get soggy. If you use paper, look for uncoated varieties to avoid melting plastic wax into your food. According to USDA guidelines on microwave usage, you should never use foam trays or plastic containers not marked for microwave use, as they can warp or melt.
Handling Crazing And Glaze Defects
Over years of use, even high-quality plates develop wear. Crazing looks like a network of fine spiderweb cracks across the surface of the plate. While this often looks like an aesthetic patina, it compromises the structure.
Microwaving a crazed plate is risky. The cracks allow organic matter and fluids to seep into the porous ceramic body. As mentioned earlier, this creates internal pressure when heated. Furthermore, it becomes a hygiene issue. Bacteria can grow in those tiny cracks where the dishwasher spray cannot reach.
If you see crazing on your Crate and Barrel dinnerware, retire those pieces from microwave duty. Use them for dry snacks or cold sandwiches, or replace them entirely if the cracking is severe.
Melamine And Outdoor Dinnerware Risks
Crate and Barrel sells fantastic outdoor dinnerware, usually made from melamine or acrylic. These materials mimic the look of stoneware or glass but are shatterproof. They are perfect for the patio but terrible for the microwave.
Melamine absorbs radiation and heats up quickly. It can blister, warp, and release chemical compounds into your food when overheated. Acrylic will simply melt. Identifying these plates is usually easy; they feel lighter than ceramic and sound like plastic when tapped.
Always double-check the material if you are grabbing a plate for a quick reheat. If it feels like plastic, keep it out of the microwave. The back stamp on these items will almost always say “Top Rack Dishwasher Safe” and “Not For Microwave Use.”
Best Practices To Extend Plate Life
Treating your dinnerware right keeps it in rotation for decades. Are Crate and Barrel plates microwave safe? Yes, mostly, but treating them gently helps. Avoid high-heat settings when possible. Reheating at 50% power takes a little longer but heats the food more evenly and puts less stress on the ceramic glaze.
Do not stack plates immediately after removing them from the dishwasher while they are still hot. The steam can get trapped and weaken the glaze. Let them air dry and cool completely. Also, avoid using abrasive scrubbers on gold-rimmed plates (even if you don’t microwave them), as scratches can expose the base material.
If a plate does chip, the rough spot can absorb water. A chipped rim makes a plate ineligible for the microwave because heat concentrates at the sharp edge of the chip, causing further cracking. Sanding down a small chip might save the plate for cold service, but it loses its structural integrity for heating.
When you buy a new set, save the insert that comes in the box. It lists the specific care instructions for that line. If you throw it away, the website usually keeps archives of care instructions for their major product lines. A quick check on your phone saves you the hassle of guessing.
Crate and Barrel offers a wide variety of styles, and keeping track of the rules ensures your table always looks good and your kitchen stays safe.