FAQs

Yes. All of Denby's ceramics are lead and cadmium free.

Ceramic tableware is often considered one of the safest choices in a world where we are all rightly demanding homewares free of toxins - it is generally made from mineral clay, sand and other natural materials. Denby's stoneware gets its legendary durability from our iron-rich clay and harder-than-steel glazes which when fired at our very high temperatures create products which are made-to-last, non-porous (and therefore resistant to bacteria, hard to chip and easy to clean).

Denby does not add any lead or cadmium into our glazes (though some manufacturers do, so it is always worth checking) and therefore our products are free of those ingredients. 'Lead-free' is a term used globally to refer to ceramicware that does not have intentionally added lead and can be confirmed that no extractable lead can occur in use.

Confirmation of this is achieved by using standardised test methods like Standard Test Method for Lead and Cadmium Extracted from Glazed Ceramic Surfaces (ASTM C738-94) in the United States or BS6748 in the United Kingdom. Denby performs this rigorous testing across all of its products, for lead and cadmium leachability specifically, using third-party approved laboratories to ensure a high level of confidence and independence in the results.

We are proud to say that none of Denby's ceramic products have any detectable amounts of either lead or cadmium from the current testing regimes and so remains safe for all food consumption purposes.

On a general point, it is worth noting that no products, whether ceramics or indeed anything else, can be totally free of any trace of lead using analytical instruments powerful enough to detect it and therefore almost any item could show some trace of lead. X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) testing is also sometimes used in detecting lead and cadmium and whilst the method gives a useful indication, it is not considered to be as accurate as the controlled lab methods and thresholds for 'lead-free' outlined by the FDA which have determined that Denby falls below any detectable trace limits on lead and cadmium leachability and is therefore safe.

BPA (Bisphenol A) is used in the production of plastics and resins. BPA plays no part in the making of ceramics so yes our ceramicware is BPA-free.

Denby is very much a handcrafted product, where glazes are often applied by hand. A difference of 1/1000th of an inch in glaze thickness can cause a slight variation in colour when the piece is fired. Slight variations in colour are part of the beauty of handcrafted products and means that no two pieces are identical.

Denby is very much a handcrafWe recommend to soak the label in water and clean up with a flat blade. Alternatively, furniture polish can be sprayed on to the remaining area of the barcode label so it softens and then it can be scraped off with fingers or a soft cloth.

All ceramic products can be affected by 'metal marks' on the surface of the item - in most cases these are not scratches but occur when metal rubs against the surface of the dish leaving a metal residue which doesn't disappear on normal washing. A cleaning product like 'Bar Keepers Friend' can help remove these marks:

Sprinkle Bar Keepers Friend onto a wet cloth or sponge.
Rub the surface of your item gently and rinse.
For more stubborn stains you can make a paste using a few drops of water and apply to your item, leave for one minute, then rinse thoroughly.
On heavily coloured or decorated glazes, we would always suggest a 'spot test' on the reverse of the item first to be sure, but this method should remove any metal marks in most cases.

We are happy to sell replacement lids for any current Denby Stoneware item. Although lids are not available to purchase through our online store, our Customer Service team will be happy to confirm prices and availability and take your order on 01773 740899. Unfortunately we are unable to supply lids for our Cast Iron items.

During production, and as a result of our high-quality standards, we produce a quantity of Seconds pieces every week. During kiln firing, variations in temperature can occur which result in glazed pots appearing lighter or darker than the ideal colour standard or surface imperfections can arise. These imperfections are usually quite minor but can vary from piece to piece and range to range. They are purely cosmetic blemishes and in no way detract from the safety, strength or durability of the pieces concerned and all Seconds items are 100% safe to use in the dishwasher, freezer, microwave and oven.

However, if you are buying Seconds pieces to mix with your Best Quality items you may see a difference in colour of the pieces, especially on some of our more reactive ranges where the colour differences can be more noticeable. If you have specific aesthetic needs or preferences for your Seconds items, you may prefer to visit one of our Denby Retail stores where self-selection is available. To find your nearest store click here.

Denby gives its customers one years notice of discontinuation on selected patterns within The Denby for Life Promise - register your details and the Denby pattern you collect with us and we will tell you, 12 months in advance, of any plans to stop making it. For the full list of patterns that are included, you can choose which patterns you want to register for in the preference center area in "My Account" see here The Denby Promise offers many other benefits - please see the Denby Promise page for details.

As part of our service to Denby collectors, we can provide a list of Tableware Matching Services that deal with discontinued Denby patterns and items. If you are unable to locate discontinued items then please try our on-line store. If we are unable to help, the following Tableware Matching Services may have stock.

Platemates
Fairview
High Birstwith
Harrogate
North Yorkshire
HG3 2LG
UK
Tel: 01423 770 420
Mobile: 07774953971
Email: mail@platemates.co.uk
Contact: Alison Stockdale
Web: www.platemates.co.uk

Past Presence
30 The Crescent
Horsley Woodhouse
Ilkeston
Derbyshire
DE7 6BJ
UK
Tel: 01332 781237
Email: pastpresence.net@gmail.com
Contact: Joan and Geoff Peach

Tableware for Life
4 Nuffield Road
St Ives
Cambridgeshire
PE27 3LX
UK
Tel: 01480 463212
Email: enquiries@tablewareforlife.co.uk
Contact: Mrs C Sweet
Web: www.tablewareforlife.co.uk
 
Chinasearch/Tablewhere Ltd
Unit 4 Princes Drive Industrial Estate
Kenilworth
Warwickshire
CV8 2FD
UK
Tel: 01926 800146
Email: info@chinasearch.co.uk
Web: www.chinasearch.co.uk

Replacing Pieces
Unit 7  
Broomshawbury Farm 
Hatfield Broad Oak 
Bishops Stortford 
CM22 7JY 
Tel: 01371 398002
Email: contact@replacingpieces.com
Web: www.replacingpieces.com/

MrPottery Ltd
China Matching Specialists Since 1992
34 Coventry Close, Corfe Mullen, Wimborne BH21 3UP 
Tel:0800 772 3428
Email: emailus@mrpottery.co.uk
Web: https://mrpottery.co.uk

John A. Shannon Ltd.
14-16 Newry St, 
Kilkeel, 
Co. Down
Northern Ireland
BT34 4DN
Tel. 028 4176 2315
Contact Lois Shannon

To make sure the product you order is the size you expect please look at our size guide for plates, bowls, mugs, cafetières and teapots, platters, kitchen utensils, bakeware and glassware.

All our products are measured in Centimetres (cm). Our depth is the measurement from top to bottom, our length is the measurement from side to side, and the width is the measurement from front to back. Capacity is also measured for items that might be used to contain liquid.