Shop by Tray Material
Shopping for trays by material is a good way to find the best model for your application. From upscale banquets and weddings to school and hospital cafeterias, these metal, plastic, and fiberglass trays provide the means to transport food and beverages with reduced spilling.
Browse our selection of fiberglass trays here. We'll help you sort through our trays to find the best size, shape, and color for your establishment.
Metal trays are perfect for catered events and fine dining foodservice, displaying food with a rewarding presentation in a variety of materials and designs.
Silver trays and platters of all types add elegance at any hotel, catering company, or restaurant. Engraved, embossed, and satin styles are available.
Plastic trays come with a variety of features and designs, simplifying cleanup while resisting stains to improve the overall aesthetics of an establishment.
Melamine trays are an affordable, durable, and colorful way to reduce spills and promote self-service at high-volume locations, such as cafeterias and buffets.
Enhance buffets and tabletop serveware with elegant mirrored trays. Circular, oval, and rectangular models add a rich visual accent to any dining display.
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Trays by Material: What You Need to Know
Restaurant trays come in an array of styles, sizes, and materials, ranging from elegant showpieces to practical serveware. At the high end, silver and mirrored display trays add a touch of elegance to dining service. However, operators can also choose from affordable plastic, melamine, and fiberglass trays for food and beverage transportation.
Common Questions About Tray Materials
What tray materials are available?
High-end trays intended for display and merchandising are typically made of metal, including silver and mirrored options as well as stainless steel and aluminum.
- Metal trays bring an air of refinement to your establishment, whether you're looking to use them as serving trays or display pieces to merchandise your meals. Able to blend into many settings, metal trays are popular at catered events.
- Mirrored trays are unique additions that reflect light onto product from all angles, emphasizing the artistry of your plating and creating an illuminated centerpiece for any display or table setting.
- Silver trays fit well with upscale dining establishments and are great for serving your most prized meals; whole fish, roasted proteins, cakes, and all your most stunning dishes can be enhanced with stylized metal trays.
Other tray materials are more utilitarian than aesthetic. Rectangular cafeteria trays and round server trays are often made from more practical materials, such as plastic, melamine, and fiberglass. These materials are durable and easy to clean, making them good additions to busy commercial establishments.
How do I choose cafeteria trays by material?
Cafeteria trays – rectangular trays used to transport plates, cups, or bowls from a serving area to the dining area – can be fiberglass, plastic, or melamine and can have varied compartmental configurations.
- Fiberglass trays are the sturdiest but most expensive option. Fiberglass is a durable, break-resistant material intended to last many years and available in many colors and patterns.
- Melamine is a durable, break-resistant plastic that can be shaped into any type of compartment. It can be washed in commercial dishmachines, even at high temperatures, and comes in a variety of styles. Melamine trays are often made to resemble wood, striking a balance between elegance and durability.
- Plastic is the most affordable tray material and is available in several grades, so establishments with little spare capital often opt for plastic.
How should I choose the material of my new tray?
The purpose of the tray will determine which material is the best fit. If you want a display tray, consider metal, silver, and mirrored trays. These work best as centerpieces or displays in high-end establishments. If you're looking for cafeteria trays to transport dishes from a serving area to a dining area, start with fiberglass, melamine, or plastic, and research options that fit your style and price point.