Cracked / chipped crockery - is it safe?

Yorky1

Is it is safe to use crockery (plates and oven dish) with hairline cracks?
I'm reluctant to throw them away if they're safe.

Would be grateful for any replies - referenced links a bonus!

I can't find a definitive answer online.

System

I would think it depends how bad the crack is. I had a lovely hand made mug which got chipped. The potter who made it recommended filling it with epoxy resin.

DigForVictory

My husband has a NEBOSH diploma & refuses to use chipped chinaware. (I've scraped a nice meal off one plate onto another & binned the original offending plate - he is definitely picky.)

Me, I reckon it's much more a matter of perceived and acceptable risk with additional 'and if I misjudge, I have to clean it all up'. A chipped cup I can live with. A cracked cooking pot, which I intend to feed 2 adults & 3 teenagers from? I switch pots. The loss of food, time etc just isn't worth the risk.

Sorry not to have definitive links!

Yorky1

Thanks for the replies. They're hairline cracks with no visible 'opening' as such.

I'm loath to get rid but will do if there's a health risk

suki1964

I've some pie dishes with hairline cracks which I use

My rule of thumb is if I notice water ingress then it's binned, till then I use it

teddysmum

I had a work colleague whose husband worked for Royal Doulton and she said he reckoned that glaze contains toxic substances to which you are exposed if the glaze surface is broken,so insisted that any damaged wear,at home, was binned.


I have had china mugs with hairline cracks in handles, where the handle has suddenly fallen off; luckily, never when being used, but during washing.


I used chipped wear where the chipped are will not come in contact with food or drink, but have found good homes for pretty, damaged mugs, as mini flower pots or vases.

Ben84

I would be surprised if anyone has ever been adversely affected by this. However, I've known cracks to unexpectedly open up, sometimes from a heat shock, which could spill hot food or liquid and be dangerous, so I'd always stop using those. Damaged items with minor chips or crazed glaze I just use as plates for house plants, or cups for holding pencils/toothbrushes. Or if they're bad you can smash them up more and use them in the bottom of pots to stop the compost falling through the holes, but still allow water to drain out. Plates and cups are only about 10p each at our local junk shop, so no great financial loss to replace them. I don't actually like matching sets of things anyway.