I really didn't know what to put in the title for this question!

I have white Pfaltzgraf dishes, and have had them a number of years. My BIL worked there 30-some years and I figured I buy these dishes and he'd keep his job! The problem is that my knives and forks leave black marks on the plates. The dishwasher does not remove them - I can get a lot off if I scrub each plate with 'bartender's friend' or 'Bon Ami' cleanser.

My question is I guess, do I need new dishes? Is the finish on the dishes worn and that's why the flatware leaves marks? And if I need new dishes, how does Corelleware hold up? I saw some plain white at Target not long ago.

If you are looking for something with longevity, Fiestaware is a good way to go. Look for 2 for 1 sales at Macys and Kohls. They have great colors, you can mix and match, or pick a color and go with it. Use google to check it out.

The only thing I've found harmful to Corelle Ware is a concrete floor! The don't bounce .. :D

My Mom's Corelle was over 40 years old, no chips, knicks or stains, they still looked brand new. I left them with my nephew, he will probably get another 40+ years out of them :D:D:D

I love Corelleware, they clean up easy, most of their items have lids that match for easy clean-up. I have Summer Blush, the pansies, their cookware and dishes. No issues. As was previously mentioned, they don't like concrete floors.LOL

That's what I have. Mine are probably 25 years old. I've broken a few, but most are still good. They've survived 5 moves, so far!) I bought serving pieces and the casserole ovenware to match.

Corelle is great because it is so thin, doesn't take up a lot of room in the cabinets.

I love my Fiestaware. have had it for 15 years and have yet to break or chip a piece of it.

I love corelle. I have set of them that ive had for many years. So easy to clean even after a big mess on them.

I am having the same problem with my Corelle..I am wondering if its the dishwasher detergent. I used to use liquid but changed to finish tablets and started noticing it then. I thought it was just they were getting old (33 years) but like the original poster my Pfaltzgraf dishes are doing the same thing.

My Corelle is over 35 years old and it's still new looking. I recently bought my DIL service for 12 (on sale). She loves it, it stands up to kids and is lighter than her old dishes. If my boys couldn't ruin it I know it's good. :thumbup: :thumbup:

This just boggles my mind! I thought my sister was the only one who loves Corelle! I'll leave her and her thin 25 yr old dishes alone now. I like big heavy plates, bowls and pretty cups! So I am of no help here.

Sometimes, the water in your area is hard, and you may need a water softener to allow the detergent to do it's job. Or you might need a rinse agent.

I love my corele dishes. The set I had before was in the house when it burned. Fire was hot enough to melt Pyrex baking pans, but most of the plates survived.

I love my corelle! And it is not 35 years old......when we built our house and moved 10 years ago.....I wanted to start over so I did away with the dishes I had and started buying white corelle. I still love it and it is still white as snow.I like that you can buy the pieces separately as well, different size bowls, small plates, large plates, etc. LOVE IT.

I had Pfaltzgraff and noticed the same thing. I guess it really did not bother me that much...however, I did not have white dishes. I gave that set to our son when he moved out. I hate to put alot of money into dishes...I'd rather buy cheaper and be able to get new sets when the mood strikes me! My MIL had Corelle...she really liked it.

Hmmmm - I have Corelle, and the flowers are almost worn off. Very faded. I'm blaming the water softener!

Try a magic eraser on your dishes..that might get the marks out.
I have white dishes that I got at Kohls. Between my hubby and mother they have broken several. I was thinking about getting fiestaware..love the colors!

I'm a Corelle girl myself. I know there are other dishes that are prettier but the feel of the Corelle ware does it for me. I have three different sets all mixed together,,,,,,the blue roses, the tiny blue flowers and the navy blue fings. I like that they are so lightweight and don't make a lot of noise and they dry so quickly in the dish drainer.

Maybe you need new silverware.

just watch where the dishes are made. what Country. i stay far away from dishes made in China.
Corelware are made here. but i did buy some soup bowls i fell in love with made in Indonesia.

I love my corelle! I've never had a problem with them at all, never had marks from the silverware. As some had already said..only problem I've had with them is dropping on the tile floor;)
Have had it for more years than I care to tell...but if you saw the pattern I'm sure it would be recognized/dated.

They have some really nice patterns out now, you should check them out.

But boy oh boy when they DO break, WATCH OUT!!!! They bust up into a billion little glass-like pieces!!! And mine didn't hit a concrete floor! :shock: :shock: :thumbdown: Now, ask me how I know this fact! :roll:

I have Corelle and Fiesta ware. I love them both for different reasons. The Corelle is lightweight and really easy to clean, but I get bored with white.

I love the weight and hot colors of the Fiesta ware, that's what I would use all the time, but DH loves the Corelle better.

We compromise.

You might want to use white vinegar as a rinsing agent. I can't use the regular dishwasher products because of the smells. I use white vinegar to clean everything else so I thought I would give it a try in the dishwasher. It works great and my dishes, flatware and pots and pans shine. My dishwasher is cleaner, also. I add a little bit of white vinegar to my hand washing dishwater, also. It really helps cut grease. One more thing, I use white vinegar to help clean stuck on food in my skillets. Just a little bit, leave set while washing other things then wipe clean with paper towels before washing. I love my Corelle dishes, too. They are nice and light so I don't drop them with my arthritic hands like I do my heavier handpainted pottery dishes which I love, also.

My son and dil have exact same problem as you do and theirs are only five years old. Their plates especially look just terrible. My 30 year old corelle ware looks almost brand new. None of those horrible black marks from silverware.
Kat

That's right. I was amazed at how much more room I had in my cabinets when I got my set. Another plus is it is light weight and easier for arthritic hands to handle. I have the Abundance pattern and have been using it for several years. Still looks as good as new. Also have the casserole dishes, and I love them. They're easy to clean.

We have had FiestaWare for about ten years, it does not chip or
Crack, but the paler colors get gray scratches just as you described. So stick with the dark colors and you will be happy for years and years!

My corelle is more than 25 years old and looking good. I still do dishes by hand no dishwasher here yet. I have lost a few pieces to the tile floor over the years. What a mess they do make when they break.

I can attest to that remark. LOL

I too have white Pfaltzgraff dishes (Pearl Brocade). Pfaltzgraff makes a product made to remove those scratches. Why get rid of them if you like them?

Don't ever ask if you NEED new dishes. Do you WANT new dishes? I love dishes, and have several sets that I rotate. Beautiful set of dishes(even china)are sold cheaply at garage sales. Check ou the GS. Good luck!

I have the original Yorktowne pattern (white with blue flowers) and love them. I buy them whenever I see them at used sales so I have a big collection. You name it, teapot, pitcher, soup tureen, I have it. They are expensive dishes . Pfaltzgraff sells a cleaner to "clean and polish your stoneware". I need to get some more and give them a good going over. It's just the dinner plates I have trouble with, from knife marks. Personally I wouldn't get rid of Pfaltzgraff. It has character.

When I was first married many, many, many years ago, I had the same problem with my "Sculptured Daisy" dishes. I wrote the company (no internet then) and they told me I could remove it by rinsing them in mild bleach water before washing them. Yeah, right -- I'm sure going to do that! I just ignored it, got some cheap dishes for guests, and used those Daisy dishes for over 25 years!

I agree about the Fiesta. When I need new dishes, I plan to get them. I love all the colors. Right now, we use our Corelle for everyday. And we have Pfaltzgraf Jamberry also. Have Winterberry for Christmas. Also have the Pfaltzgraf solid color stoneware (can't remember the name); and they chip so bad we can't use them any more. Just washing in the dishwasher chips them.

Probably more info than you needed; but for the most part (2 out of 3), I like my Pfaltzgraf.

Splinters in a million pieces and your foot is in danger for months !!

How odd.. never knew of marks from flatware..
hope you get it figured out.. remember little girl black patten leather shoes making black marks on my momma's newly waxed floor.. oh boy.. not a happy thing!

I have lots of Fiesta dishes, have been collecting them for years, but I do not use them. LOL. They are to look at and decoration. I have been using Corelle for years and love them. Bought them when my kids were home because I was tired of dishes getting broken or chipped.

I worked for Pfaltzgraff for years, too - several in customer service. There used to be a scratch-free Pfaltzgraff cleaner, but it might not still be available. But I think Bartender's Friend was a recommendation as well. I have Pfaltzgraff, too, and I like the weight - which I know a lot of people don't, and Corelle is definately a lighter weight option. But they seem to me to be just a shade better than plastic, so it it were me, I'd try and clean up the Pfaltzgraff.

I hope you didn't think I was suggesting that you get rid of the Phaltzgraff dishes. I'm suggesting that you add to your collection. I have an original Fiesta platter that was my Gramma's that I treasure.

I use Arm & Hammer baking soda to get all the stains off my plates and mugs. Add a bit of water and a scrubby sponge and Voila! Stains gone, easy peasy.