Melamine Dinner Plates

Melamine Dishes: What You Need to Know

Melamine and plastic plates are an incredibly popular, low-cost option for commercial dining in almost any setting. With a low upfront cost and long lifespan, melamine plates have one of the lowest total costs of ownership among commercial dinnerware. They can also be made in any color and style without significantly increasing the cost, so every establishment can find plates for its aesthetic without breaking the bank.

Melamine can fit in almost any restaurant tier, except for high-level fine dining establishments. Any mid-tier eatery can find elegantly designed melamine plates – either in a classy white or with faux-handcrafted swirls – and will contribute to the overall aesthetic for a bargain price. With more than a thousand options to choose from, finding the right melamine dishes can be tricky.

Common Questions About Melamine Plates

Why choose melamine?

KaTom carries a wide array of plastic plates, but melamine is by far the most popular material. As an organic plastic, melamine pairs the strengths of natural fibers with durable resin to create a plate that feels substantial and lasts a long time. Melamine is safe for use in high- and low-temperature dishwashers, making it a seamless addition to most commercial warewashing procedures. Melamine also holds color very well, meaning manufacturers can make very creative plates in bright colors or with eye-catching designs.

These features combine to form a material that can be almost anything you need in casual dinnerware. Melamine plates can be made to look like soapstone or bright white ceramic and can even sport a colorful glossy sheen. Typically, the more intricate the design on your melamine, the more expensive the plates will be; melamine is incredibly versatile and can be made to suit mid- to high-tier dine-in restaurants as well as high-volume cafeterias and institutional kitchens. They're tough, as well, enduring the high-volume demands of a busy commercial foodservice day.

What other types of plastic are available?

Non-melamine plastic plates in this category are mostly made of polycarbonate, which is often used for clear drinking dinnerware since it can be quite transparent. As plates are traditionally opaque, polycarbonate plates are usually finished with some sort of color or design. Polycarbonate is not as durable as melamine and will discolor over time when exposed to sanitizing chemicals. However, it is very affordable and a great solution for restaurants running on a shoestring budget.

How should I maintain my melamine plates?

Melamine can be washed in both high- and low-temperature commercial dishwashers, making it easy to add to your existing procedures, but other types of plastic may need to be spared high heat or degrading chemicals. Consult the individual product specifications page for the plates you're considering to ensure they will match the equipment you have.

Melamine cannot be used in a microwave because the process might damage the plate or cause chemicals to leech from the plate into the food, which can prove very dangerous for guests.