Everything You Need to Know About Melamine Dinnerware

Melamine dinnerware is made from a lightweight, durable, and heat-resistant material. Its design allows your staff to carry large serving trays, deliver meals faster, and avoid straining themselves. Additionally, it is available in many forms, with melamine bowls, saucers, display trays, ramekins, fry cones, and even chopsticks to choose from. Manufacturers produce melamine tableware in a wide range of colors and styles, making it an aesthetically versatile product that enhances almost every setting.

Melamine dinnerware can increase your customers’ perception of your business and save you money. Read on to discover the benefits of melamine plastic, how to care for it, and what makes it so unique.

What Is Melamine Made Of?

Melamine is made of a chemical compound that is organic-based and nitrogen-rich. Its durable and heat-resistant qualities make it perfect for producing strong plastic dinnerware, laminates, and glues. Manufacturers create melamine’s signature durability by blending melamine resin with strengthening materials. You can purchase melamine tableware in virtually every color, design, and shape.

Top 10 Benefits of Melamine Dinnerware

Read our list of the top benefits of melamine plastic to learn why foodservice operators are switching to melamine dinnerware.
  1. Food-Safe Plastic: The FDA approves melamine as a safe plastic for serving food.
  2. Affordable: Melamine dishes are an economical alternative to china.
  3. Mimics Other Materials: Lightweight melamine can be finished to look like real stoneware, china, or wood.
  4. Save on Replacement Costs: Melamine is difficult to break, chip, or scratch.
  5. Lightweight: Protect your staff from strains with lightweight melamine dinnerware.
  6. Temperature-Resistant: Melamine doesn’t absorb the heat from plated foods, reducing accidental burns.
  7. Dishwasher Safe: Expedite clean-up and eliminate germs with dishwasher safe melamine plastic.
  8. Offers Sustainable Options: Choose an eco-friendly melamine dinnerware line.
  9. Versatile Designs: Melamine comes in virtually every color, shape, and style.
  10. All Serving Areas Can Use the Same Dishes: Thanks to its durability, you can use the same melamine dinnerware line in your dining room, patio, and poolside bar.

Melamine Safety

The affordability and durability of melamine dishes are undeniably attractive, but safety concerns make some question whether a different type of dinnerware is a better investment. From plating to microwave use, we answer the most frequently asked questions about melamine safety in the sections below.

Is Melamine Safe?

While some reports question the safety of melamine dishes, the FDA’s Safety and Risk Assessment of Melamine states that this type of plastic tableware is safe for use. As long as you don’t heat your food to 160 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, the chemicals in melamine will not transfer into your meal.
While some melamine items contain safe amounts of BPA, many brands offer certified BPA-free melamine products. Purchasing BPA-free melamine products can increase your customers’ trust in your brand. Many lines of melamine dinnerware and kitchen tools meet NSF food safety requirements.

Is Melamine Dishwasher Safe?

Melamine tableware is considered 100% dishwasher safe. Most variations of melamine servingware can handle temperatures that exceed recommended dishwasher temperatures. Additionally, melamine can retain high heat, allowing it to dry faster than standard dishware.

Is Melamine Microwave Safe?

Melamine dinnerware is not microwave safe. Although melamine is designed to withstand high temperatures, it should never have contact with food while it is being heated.

How to Care For Melamine

To extend the life of your melamine dinnerware, try following these simple guidelines:
× Do not use serrated knives on melamine products.
× Do not use melamine products in a conventional oven.
× Do not use melamine products in a microwave oven.
× Do not use chlorine bleach on melamine products.
× Do not use harsh abrasive cleaners, steel wool, or metal scouring pads on melamine products.
For safe scrubbing, use a light-duty white scrubbing pad.
If you need to soak your melamine products before putting them in the dishwasher, use a high-quality pre-soak dishwashing detergent.

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