Denby Cookware Review

Overall Rating

Looks good until you actually use it

Whole set damaged in 2 months by non-removable 'cutlery' marks

I was bought my Denby Energy Set a couple of months ago - as there were a few sales on, we bought a few items from Fenwicks, some from Browns, and some from the Denby factory shop in York. The set looked great, with a glazed finish on the inside of the bowls, inside of the mugs, top of the plates, etc, and a cream matt finish on the outside of the items.
The set is guaranteed oven, microwave and dishwasher safe, and recommends the Finish liquid, which I duly bought and used.
However, a couple of weeks later, I started to notice strange metallic scratches and marks on some of the items which concerned me as no amount of scrubbing with a dishcloth would remove. I decided to contact Denby to see if they knew what was causing the marks - they asked me to return an item to them for inspection, which I did with the address label that they sent to me. After a week (and me contacting them to see what the outcome was) I was told that these marks DO appear on the matt finish and are caused by cutlery - this puzzled me as many of the marks were in strange places that cutlery wouldn't really touch - down the outside of all the mugs, all the way around most of the edges of the plates and outside of the bowls, etc.. Denby also told me that the marks are a common occurrence and can usually be removed with Cif (in my opinion, when you pay Denby's prices, I don't think that you should have to attack it with a bathroom cleaner to remove marks, but anyways!!) but that I must have a 'faulty batch'. This is very strange too, as the items were bought from 3 different shops, one being a factory seconds shop. Hmm...
Denby wouldn't admit that the range was faulty, don't know what you think, but in my opinion a small starter set that cost £150+ should last much longer than 2 months without looking so tatty. Every single piece I have has multiple scratches and marks- lipstick (and not even a colour stay one!) also leaves non-removable stains on the mugs too - and looks so bad, when we have guests, I have actually resorted to by old cheapie Ikea starter set that lasted me 3 years. It's up to you, but in my opinion I would not touch Denby with a bargepole.
Good luck if you DO decide to buy it -you'll need it (along with a brillo pad and a bottle of Cif!!)
:o(

Members' Comments onbobbanana99's Review

• ajgray12 on 22nd Sep 2004

  I sell Denby for a living. I agree with the marking, Energy being the worst of the bunch. It is also caused by a stainless steel sink. The lipstick problem is the first I've ever heard of that! Interesting. "zud" works wonders in the removal of the marks.
  The reason I disagree with parts of your review is; You're only describing one specific pattern with one specific problem. Denby is aware of the issue with that pattern. In Canada, we've had our regional rep for Denby ok the return of that pattern so the customer(s) could purchase a new one. Perhaps that could be done for you?
  
  Go for a shiny, non-matte finish and you'll be pleased for years and years. Denby is the ultimate in stoneware. My pattern still looks brand new after a few years use.
  
  Wishing you luck.
  
  Andrea

• breakwater72 on 30th Oct 2004

  Hi Andrea,
  
  My fiance and I are creating our gift registry and we are in Canada. I had an experience like the first reviewer, but with Pfaltzgraff, and I don't want to select a Denby pattern that will give me scratched dishes.
  
  The patterns we like are Smokestone and Drama. Do you have any advice/imput/comments that could help us decide?
  
  Thanks, Marilyn

• cookie2007 on 7th Mar 2007

  I totally agree with this review. I've also purchased the Denby Energy collection in Canada and I've the same problem with the markings. It was very disappointing that after 6 months these dishes were all but ruined. The Bay was very helpful in exchanging my bowls and mugs but now I'm noticing that the plates are getting marked too. I'm currently in the process of returning the entire set so that I can purchase another one.

• djbethell on 30th Oct 2008

  I recently bought Denby's Fire set in Green and Yellow and have noticed (only after a few months use) horrible scratches in the glaze on ALL plates, bowls and mugs. The scratches look like I've taken a diamond cutter to them! Funny thing is, because this set cost so much and I love it so, I've been so, so careful when washing these items up; literally I treat them like babies compared to how I used to treat my Ikea stuff, but still I end up with this horrible scoring on everything. I have rung Denby and they want me to send a piece back to inspect. I've also bought this set across several stores over several months so the bad batch story won't make sense. Now when I think back I remember carefully selecting each piece as I had noticed in store the odd piece with this scoring on. I thought they were flawed pieces but now I'm thinking this is just a really poor high-gloss glaze that Denby should never have thought would be passable. I mean, I bought Denby because it's supposed to be such a long-term item. Man, it sure does cost enough...