Know Your Plates By Common Materials
Introduction
Now apart from the sizes, there are different types of dinner plates based on the material. You might have heard about ceramic or glass plates, as these are the most common ones. But there are other types of plates available as well. We will talk about the popular ones here, their best features, and price range.
Plates Made Of Different Materials
Apart from ceramic, plates can be made from plastic, stone, clay and even paper. These plates are suitable for different occasions and come in different price slabs. If you are thinking about purchasing to enrich your collection you may prefer bone china. Again if you have a crowd coming in for a party you may opt for paper plates. If you usually don't eat at a table you may avoid buying heavier plates like the stoneware. We discuss all these in details below. So, let's dive in!
1. Ceramic Plates
Ceramic plates are a popular choice for their durability and aesthetic appeal. Crafted from clay and hardened through firing, they come in various designs and patterns that add charm to your dining table.
These plates offer excellent heat retention properties, keeping your food warm for longer periods. However, they may be slightly heavier and require careful handling to avoid chipping.
Ceramic plates are the best dinner plates for everyday use, making them a preferred choice as both household and restaurant plates.
Mostly Used By: Restaurants, households
Price Range: Options start around $4 per plate to higher-end pieces per plate. Here’s a set from the high-end on Amazon.
2. Porcelain Plates
Porcelain are also ceramic material, fired at high temperatures. These are chip resistant and durable. Usually these are white, making these the best choices for showcasing exquisite dishes and stunning dishes.
Mostly Used By: Restaurants, households
Price Range: Starts from $28 for a set of 6 on Amazon.
3. Bone China Plates
Bone China plates are much popular for their exquisite elegance. These are fine china plates made from a combination of bone ash, kaolin, and feldspathic material. These fancy plates will surely enhance the luxury of your kitchen. But be sure to use them once in a while!
These bone china porcelain plates offer a delicate balance of beauty and durability. However, they require gentle care.
Mostly Used By: High-end restaurants, special occasions.
Price Range: $12-$17 per plate for basic designs. Here’s one on Amazon.
4. Stoneware Dinnerware
Stoneware dinnerware is known for its rustic and earthy charm. Made from clay fired at high temperatures, stoneware plates have a sturdy construction, making them more resistant to chipping and breakage compared to other materials.
They offer excellent heat retention, keeping your food warm throughout the meal. However, stoneware dinnerware tends to be heavier. These plates are well-suited for casual and everyday use.
Mostly Used By: Restaurants, regular households
Price Range: Starts from $19+ for a 4-piece set. Here’s one on Amazon.
5. Earthenware
Earthenware is also made from clay but fired at low temperatures. These are porous and not very sturdy compared to others.
These plates are used for casual dinner but cannot be used in a microwave or dishwasher.
Mostly Used By: Regular households
Price Range: Starts from $25 for a set of 4 on Amazon.
6. Slate Plates
Slate made dinnerware is a modern and exquisite addition to the dinnerware scene. Slate is a type of stone. The fun feature of such plates is that these can be written on by chalk! These are nowadays used extremely by food creators who love to show off their decorative skills.
These plates enhances aesthetics of the food item rendering it a rustic and bold look. However these may not be suitable for regular use as you cannot use them in microwave or dishwasher.
Mostly Used By: Boutique restaurants
Price Range: Starts from $21 a 6 piece set. Here's one on Amazon.
7. Glass Plates
Photo by Key Notez on Pexels
Glass plates exude elegance and sophistication with their transparent and sleek appearance. They add a touch of modernity to any table setting and are suitable for both casual and formal occasions.
These plates also come in different styles, such as clear glass or textured glass, allowing you to choose the one that complements your dining aesthetic.
Mostly Used By: Restaurants, households
Price Range: Starts from $22 a 4 piece set on Amazon.
8. Melamine Plates
Main characteristics of melamine plates are durability and resistance to breakage. Made from a sturdy and lightweight plastic material called melamine resin, these plates are ideal for outdoor dining, picnics, and casual gatherings.
Melamine plates come in a wide range of designs and colors, making them a fun and practical choice for everyday use. When using melamine products, be sure to ensure those are BPA-free and safe to be used for food consumption purpose. Besides, there may be restrictions on using these plates in the microwave oven.
Mostly Used By: Outdoor dining, catering, picnics, camping, and casual dining.
Price Range: Starts from $17 for a 6-piece set on Amazon.
9. Plastic Plates
Plastic plates are lightweight and convenient. They are perfect for outdoor events, picnics, or occasions where ease of use and recycling are prioritized. These plates are often more preferable over paper plates (or one-time plates).
They come in various colors and designs, allowing you to personalize your table setting without worrying about breakage or cleanup.
Mostly Used By: Outdoor events, casual gatherings
Price Range: ~$13 for 50 pieces on Amazon.
10. Paper Plates
Paper plates are basically the one-time plates we use for any small or large gatherings. These are usually fit for a single use, thin and light. These mostly come in dinner plate size, about 10 inches. Paper plates, now a days, also come in more stronger variety which makes them sturdier but not much suitable for multiple use.
You can also find environment friendly paper plates on Amazon, if you are worried about their impact.
Mostly Used By: Outdoor events, gatherings, and picnic
Price Range: Starts from $6 per 90 pieces on Amazon.
Conclusion
Here you go. Different types of plates based on their make. Plates can be of different size, shape, and style as well. All these and other factors together help you decide which plates to use when someone is coming over for small chat in the afternoon and when you have a big Thanksgiving dinner party at your home.
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