Ceramic Spoon Holes: Craft Secrets From Liling, China’s Porcelain Hub

Ever wondered why some ceramic spoons have a tiny hole in the handle, while others don’t? It’s no flaw—it’s a craft trick that ensures quality, and as a Liling-based ceramic export supplier, we’re breaking down the details to show our commitment to precision.

1. Why the Hole? Hanging Firing for Flawless Glaze

Ceramic spoons need full glaze on the bowl (it touches your mouth), but glaze sticks to surfaces during firing. To avoid ruining the spoon, we use hanging firing:

Drill a small hole at the handle’s top.

Hang spoons from heat-resistant rods (silicon carbide or alumina) during firing—keeps the glazed bowl suspended, no sticking.

The hole’s inside is unglazed, but it never touches hands or mouth—no impact on use.

2. No Hole? A More Labor-Intensive Method

Hole-free spoons use a different approach, not lower quality:

Small spoons (tea/dessert): We add a temporary unglazed ring to the handle’s end, hang via the ring for firing, then cut the ring and polish the end (feel the smooth polish mark—your quality check!).

Large spoons (soup ladles): Use setting firing—add small “feet” to the base and leave a tiny unglazed spot on the handle. Spoons sit flat in the kiln (no sticking, since they don’t go in the mouth).

3. Bonus: “Sesame Pin” Firing for Premium Porcelain

For high-end bowls/plates needing full glaze (even the bottom edge), we use three-pin firing:

Prop pieces up with tiny ceramic pins (smaller than sesame seeds) during firing.

Remove pins post-firing—only tiny white dots remain. A sign of luxury craft.

4. Full-Glaze, Hole-Free Spoons: Our Premium Touch

For luxury buyers (high-end restaurants, boutique hotels), we offer full-glaze, hole-free spoons:

Fire with a temporary ring, cut/polish, then add low-temperature glaze to the unglazed end.

Refire to match the original glaze—seamless, no unglazed spots. Extra work = premium quality.

Why Source From Us?

Craft Mastery: We tailor firing methods (hanging/setting/pin) to your needs.

Quality Control: Every piece is checked for smoothness and safety.

Customization: Adapt to your specs (hole-free, full-glaze, etc.).

Legacy + Efficiency: Liling’s 2,000-year porcelain heritage meets modern scaling.

Ready to source quality ceramic tableware?