Melamine dinnerware is a durable material that is made of wood pulp as its base component. Melamine dishes are inherently difficult to break when heated due to their hardening components.
Melamine will not chip easily, especially the edge part of the dinnerware. When handled properly, melamine dishes are unbreakable and can have a long-lasting in-service purpose. For example, melamine mixing bowls today can outperform porcelain dinnerware in terms of its durability.
With improved technology and design, melamine dinnerware can become trendy as typical porcelain or ceramic. With the advent of superb grazed melamine, it is now difficult to determine melamine dishes from porcelain without holding them.
Melamine dinnerware, like plates, bowls, and cups, can go with different styles. From vintage to modern and minimalist to aesthetic, melamine dishes have become a common feature in the dining room.
Homeowners have come up with different ways to preserve or prolong the in-service life of their melamine dinnerware. Noting that the kitchen and dining area are prone to any eventualities, melamine dinnerware owners have to understand and practice the different methods in securing and proper handling of their melamine dishes, especially when they are put into use.
Some helpful tips for using knives with melamine dinnerware
The use of melamine dinnerware naturally invites a condition wherein they will pair with other sharp or pointed objects, like kitchen knives. These knives have different types of shape, style, and weight. The constant contact of these pointed objects can bring trouble to the luster of your melamine dishes.
1. Avoid the use of melamine dinnerware with steak knives
The use of steak knives can cause harm to your melamine dishes. It would be best to choose a lighter knife to match your melamine dinnerware so that the puncturing of the surface will be avoided.
2. Do not use sharp knives with your melamine dinnerware
An ordinary butter knife is just fine when using it with melamine. It is a perfect match because the butter knife is not sharp and pointed.
3. A light serrated knife is perfectly usable with melamine dinnerware
To protect the luster and surface of the melamine, the homeowner should opt for a lightweight serrated or a dull knife. This type of knife cannot cause deep scratches or break down the gloss on the dinnerware.
4. Avoid knives with ridges in cutting food on melamine dinnerware
While it is tempting to slice tough foods on your melamine dinnerware, one should consider the use of knives with ridges.
Tomato knives, steak knives, and bread knives have ridges along the blade. This would make your melamine dinnerware exposed to risk of scratching it. Bread knives, tomato knives, and steak knives will usually have serrated edges.
How to clean and handle melamine dishes
It is a fact that serveware like melamine is durable. This is the reason why this type of dinnerware earned a mark in commercial kitchens. When properly handled, melamine dishes can be typically replaced at a rate of 10 percent – 20 percent per year. On the other hand, the annual replacement rate of porcelain is 50 percent – 150 percent.
The durability of melamine dishes makes it a contributing factor in const saving to homeowners. The low replacement rates of melamine dinnerware can significantly help the budgetary needs of the family.
However, homeowners should consider the misconception that because melamine is durable, it doesn’t mean it is immune to poor handling and usage, according to Central Restaurant.com.
Some tips in the proper handling of melamine dinnerware.
- Rinse your melamine dinnerware immediately to get rid of fatty dishes.
- Scrub away leftover food in a gentle manner.
- For a commercial dishwasher, follow the regular cleaning, with both high or low temp machines as options.
- Pre-soak for 15 to 20 minutes the melamine dishes in non-bleach granulated detergent
- Never use steel wool or tough cleaning material on your melamine
- Do not put your melamine dishes under heat lamps, in a microwave, or near an open flame.
- Use non-tough pads like Mr. Clean or the 3M.
- Keep your type of dishes in mind when selecting your melamine bowls.
Can melamine be recycled?
You cannot recycle melamine dishes in ordinary recycling programs. The wood pulp base on the melamine makes it hard to be melted. When your melamine has grounded down, you can pack them with plastic and wood composite materials to reuse the products in another form or service.
However, this idea is not common to most melamine dinnerware owners. It is recommended that you contact your nearest recycling facility for the proper disposal or more information.
What are the various tiers of melamine?
There is no formal or standard tiered system for melamine. The manufacturers of melamine dinnerware mainly sell the products according to their density and weight. However, all melamine is lightweight and durable.
Is melamine product safe?
Like a food container, melamine products are safe. Melamine dinnerware has been used for many years already. It is known that almost everyone got an opportunity to eat their food from a melamine dinnerware.
Melamine dinnerware is used both for commercial and household purposes. Thus, melamine is totally safe. For more assurance on the use of melamine dishes, you can also look for
NSF logo (previously the National Sanitation Foundation) on the bottom of the melamine dinnerware. The official NSF certification on the bottom part of the melamine dishes is mostly embossed. The presence of NSF logo is one way of helping the buyer that he is picking the right melamine product. Furthermore, you can also find manufacturers of melamine dishes with NSF certification, like G.E.T.
The said certification guarantees that the product is purely designed with the correct material and that it will not attract bacteria to its inner surface. The government also conduct review and inspection of factories that are producing melamine dishes. The unannounced inspection is to ensure that the melamine product is safe for the public.