Economy Dinnerware

Casual Dishes: What You Need to Know

The phrase "economy dinnerware" might bring to mind flimsy, low-quality plates and cups that disintegrate in the dishwasher, but that doesn't have to be the case. We carry a broad selection of melamine, plastic, and stoneware plates that are affordable, attractive, and durable, making them perfect for any foodservice establishment that doesn't need fine china.

Our casual dinnerware is divided into white, banded, and colorful categories, so you can find sets that match the existing décor of your establishment. Colorful dinnerware is great for casual, family-friendly establishments, while a traditional white set will work in almost any setting. Banded dinnerware has a splash of color around the edges, providing a happy medium between expressive and reserved. We'll go over some basic information about these dishes to help you choose the best pieces for your establishment.

Common Questions About Casual Dinnerware

What materials are available?

While this category does house plastic options, that is far from the only economic choice. We carry an array of melamine, stoneware, and even casual china dinnerware that can fit in to almost any aesthetic. Each material has its benefits and drawbacks, so choosing between them can be tricky. Here are the main differences:

Melamine is perhaps the most popular type of casual dinnerware – and for good reason. This type of organic plastic is cheap, incredibly durable and has more weight to it than other types of plastic, making it feel more impressive in your guests' hands. Melamine also resists chipping and scratching, is safe for use in both high- and low-temperature commercial dishwashers, and can be made to match any aesthetic. Melamine cannot be used in a microwave, which is the major drawback to this material.

Stoneware refers to ceramic, porcelain, or china. These pieces are typically associated with upper-tier restaurants – at least compared to plastic dinnerware – but KaTom has found some affordable choices even in these classier materials. Casual china plates can provide your dining room with an elegance that most other pieces can't without breaking your budget. China, also called porcelain, is a white, semi-translucent ceramic that is fully vitrified, which means it will not absorb any liquid, preventing flavor transfer and staining. Ceramic dinnerware, including china, has a distinct feel and weight that elevate it over the plastic options in customer perceptions. Mid- to upper-tier restaurants will usually want to invest in stoneware when possible. Stoneware can be used in a microwave and is typically safe in high- and low-temperature commercial dishwashers.

Plastic dinnerware is similar to melamine but does not have the same organic fibers to maintain its strength. Many plastic options are disposable, which makes them appealing to food trucks and other mobile institutions that have no way to sanitize dinnerware for reuse. Not all plastic is disposable, though, and some can be washed in the dishwasher. Polycarbonate and copolyester are clear, glass-like materials frequently used as barware. Copolyester is also known as Tritan plastic and resists the discoloration that polycarbonate suffers when exposed to cleaning chemicals.