5 Top Pfaltzgraff Dinnerware Patterns

Pfaltzgraff dinnerware is one of the most recognizable brand of dishes in America. The company itself is over 200 years old and was originally started by German potter, Johann George Pfaltzgraff. He came from a family of potters, so that was an obvious choice for a trade when he and his wife settled in York County, Pennsylvania.

Pfaltzgraff started off producing a variety of utilitarian pieces for the local community. Storage vessels like jars, jugs and crocks joined the everyday necessities like mugs, plates and pitchers. Three of Johann Geroge’s six children joined the pottery business and helped grow the company into that would grow into one of the biggest suppliers of dinnerware.

There 200 Pfaltzgraff dinnerware patterns produced and many of the most the old favorites are still available, like Yorktown, Folk Art, Naturewood and Pistoulet.

Along with the old favorites, Pfalzgraff makes a variety of new patterns that are destined to become classics. These stoneware dishes are made from light-colored clay and fired at over 2200-degrees to create hard, durable finishes. The stoneware is typically thicker and heavier than porcelain or china, which makes them great for everyday use. The patterns and styles, however, are so diverse and pretty that they can be used for holiday or special dinners.

Pfaltzgraff works hard to keep their most popular patterns going. Besides a variety of styles available, one of the really big pluses for these dishes is that they will probably be available a year from now or ten years. This is great for people who have to build their dinnerware over years.

The biggest problem is just choosing a pattern… where to start! Well, the following five Pfaltgraff patterns are the most popular styles of Pfaltzgraff dinnerware. So, which one do you want on your dinner table tonight?

Considered a holiday pattern, the Pfaltzgraff Winterberry can be used any time of the year. Tiny holly leaves and berries encircle the white embossed stoneware, while a thin green strip edges each piece.

The Pfaltzgraff Plymouth dinnerware pattern conjures up visions of pilgrims, turkeys, pumpkins and a chilly Autumn days. The creamy white background of this traditional pattern shows off a cornucopia of pumpkin, acorns and corn.

This delightful Villa Della Luna is a departure from Pfaltzgraff's traditional, colonial style patterns. Each dish in this French Country style place setting sports a different hand-painted design in sun-drenched colors of yellow, red, green and blue.

Continuing the European country rustic feel, Pfaltzgraff introduces Napoli dinnerware. With a soft apricot background and fanciful flowers and vines, this dinnerware pattern looks like it just came off a table in Tuscany.

With it's stenciled-like pattern of flowers and vine, this blue and green dinnerware can be used inside for family meals or add unexpected style to patio dining. Pfaltzgraff Patio Garden is made of durable stoneware and is dishwasher and microwave safe.

Pfaltzgraff dishes can go from microwave, to oven, to dishwater and then into the freezer,  for a longer life, follow these tips:

1. Avoid sudden extreme temperatures, so no pulling a plate from the freezer and putting into a hot oven.
2. Keep hot dishes off of wet surface to avoid cracking.
3. Don’t place a plate under a broiler or microwave browning element.
4. Use the right size dishes for the size of the food to heat evenly.
5. And for your own protection, always use a pot holder or mitt to pick up hot plates.