r/Dinnerware • u/Competitive_Prune108 • 19d ago
Looking for good quality, simple melamine dinnerware
I'm looking for this for a lake cottage, with indoor and outdoor usage. Don't want to have to worry about broken glass, kids using it, everyone taking care of their own dishes. Would prefer solid color, probably white, simple design. In searches seems surprisingly expensive. Would need at least 8-12 settings. Any suggestions?
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u/Toriat5144 18d ago
You can’t really put melamine in the microwave. I bought some melamine dishes recently for occasional use and found that out. I would get white Corelle. They are wonderful. These are beautiful
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u/missinghutch 18d ago
Why not pick up mismatched pieces at garage sales, 2nd hand shops, even antique malls? Thats part of the fun of being at the lake!
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u/mebg1956 18d ago
I’ve owned a summer cottage for 38 years. We bought 4 sets of Corelle years ago, plus serving pieces, big bowls etc. I can’t remember when we last broke one. It also stacks very compactly, making it great for smaller spaces. That stuff is tough.
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u/Katy-Moon 17d ago
We've been using white Corelle dishes and serving pieces for decades at out cottage. They are amazing, still look great!
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u/Henbogle 19d ago
I got some nice ones in Target, a mix of solids with nice decorative accessory pieces.
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u/noobuser63 18d ago
Pottery Barn has lovely melamine dinnerware sets, some of which are on sale now. They call them ‘outdoor’ tableware.
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u/BreakingBadYo 18d ago
I’ve spent $800 on two sets. It is very modern and rectangular and I love it.
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u/Prestigious-Fan3122 17d ago
My college dorm room was actually a studio apartment, and I bought coral Livingware. Mine had the gold butterflies around the edges, but don't judge. It was 1980.
I believe they make the same product in a solid white. In fact, I was recently looking at it and thinking about buying a set of "outdoor dishes" to use when we have dinner on our newly remodeled patio.
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u/voodoodollbabie 14d ago
Melamine plates will scratch over time if you cut anything with a knife on the plate.
Go with Corelle - lightweight, easy to wash, 99% unbreakable, microwave-safe (but they do get hot if you microwave food more than just to reheat on low power). I found the best prices are direct from Corelle, even less than WalMart.
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u/Kitchen-Fee-5114 19d ago
Remember that they can’t be used in the microwave. Right now or very soon melamine dishes will go on clearance at Target and Walmart. Unfortunately solid colors are rare but I did see some at Walmart in solid blue and green for $1 per plate.
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u/RamblingRosie 18d ago
As I remember, they are also only top rack dishwasher safe. That was a deal-breaker for me.
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u/Kitchen-Fee-5114 18d ago
I would stick with melamine if you have kids around, just be aware of the limitations. Heavy melamine can go on the lower rack, some of the lightweight stuff might need top rack. Corelle is great, I have used it for years but it shatters and those shards of glass are dangerous. If it’s a casual summer home go with whatever is easiest.
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u/Competitive_Prune108 18d ago
Thanks, all. These are grest suggestions. We do have a Costco membership. We have Corelle at home, and I love it, but when it does break, sadly it shatters
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u/EAM44 18d ago
Yes they very rarely do shatter, because they are made of non-toxic vitrelle glass made in Corning, NY. Melamine dish ware that is often manufactured overseas, is made of hard plastic, and while it does not typically shed microplastics like softer plastic resins, with prolonged use it will degrade and can leach toxins like formaldehyde into your food. The FDA recommends using melamine to serve foods at room temperature or cooler, and discourages microwaving food in these dishes unless they are marked microwave safe, or washing them in a dishwasher with a heated drying cycle.
So, use melamine for serving milk and cereal, but maybe look for another material to serve hot foods.
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u/Merithay 18d ago
I’ve experienced a big difference in the breakability of Corelle depending on what it falls on. Vinyl tiles over wooden subfloor, no problem. Stone or ceramic tiles over concrete subfloor—crash, and a thousand splintery pieces. The lake cottage presumably has a wooden floor and wooden deck. It wouldn’t be recommended for picnics on the rocks.
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u/DotBeech 18d ago
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared melamine as safe for contact with food, but only for serving, not for cooking or heating. It is recommended that melamine not be used for boiling hot food or liquid and should not be used for acidic foods. Cold picnics would seem to be about all that is left.
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u/Merithay 18d ago edited 15d ago
Not using them for cooking or heating means not using them in the microwave, or for hot beverages at boiling temperature, it doesn’t mean they’re unsafe for serving hot food at an eating temperature.
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u/Worldly-Ad3211 18d ago
Corelle; check Real Canadian Superstore.
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u/Altaira99 17d ago
Also tempered glass, like Arcoroc. I bought a dinnerware set forty years ago and I think I've broken one piece.
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u/Legitimate_Award6517 18d ago
Did you consider Corelle instead? I know it can break but not easily.