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corrie23
06-12-2021, 07:32 AM
My oldest has a coordination disorder and also struggles with hand strength. As a result she drops things a lot. Recently this has meant an increased number of broken plates, bowls, and glasses as she prepares and eats food.

Her “clumsiness” is a source of embarrassment and shame for her. I’d like to make it easier for her to drop dishes with less damage, but also keep an eye on food safety/health. I’ve historically avoided plastic because of concern about leaching chemicals, but it may be time to reconsider or explore “safer” options.

Can you recommend reusable dishes/drink ware that are safe for hot and cold foods and unlikely to break when dropped? Plastic or other durable materials perhaps. She’s 18 so I’m trying to avoid anything too juvenile in appearance.

Thank you.


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SnuggleBuggles
06-12-2021, 08:18 AM
It;s a good time of year to find lots of melamine dinnerware since it's good for outdoor gatherings. Don't microwave on it but it's an ok option, from what I have read.
I have also bought Preserve brand dishware at Whole Foods and our local natural food co-op. Again, no microwave but dishwasher safe. The melamine will come in lots more interesting colors and patterns but if you are ok with a solid color.

jgenie
06-12-2021, 11:26 AM
Have you looked into stainless steel plates?

mmsmom
06-12-2021, 12:00 PM
I was going to suggest stainless as well. Not microwaveable but I think the best alternative if you want to avoid chemicals from plastics and melamine. I got mine in India where they are super cheap but it you have an Indian grocery store in your area I would check there.

KpbS
06-13-2021, 07:48 AM
I second the melamine. I have bought some fun prints for outdoor use mainly during the summers. Our Kroger carries them in the seasonal section. You can hand wash them quickly instead of the dishwasher high heat if you are concerned about chemicals. They have a couple of white options, a couple botanical prints, a navy pattern, etc.

SASM
06-13-2021, 08:54 AM
I bought a cute bamboo bowl at HomeGoods so it might be at TJM/Marshall’s as well. I am actually going back to look for some more today because the bowl is a great size for ramen soup and big bowls of loaded oatmeal, etc. They had plates as well. Here’s a photo next to a Sbux mug for scale…in bowl: 1/2c oats, 1/2c oat milk, 2.75oz blueberries ;)https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20210613/f7108e69ad37e99e9172092bf08384ec.jpg



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SnuggleBuggles
06-13-2021, 09:01 AM
I had thought of bamboo too but it fared about as well or worse than melamine. It seemed that how it was processed mattered. Most aren't dishwasher or microwave safe. I thought it was going to be the perfect solution so was bummed when I started some quick research.

SASM
06-13-2021, 09:11 AM
I had thought of bamboo too but it fared about as well or worse than melamine. It seemed that how it was processed mattered. Most aren't dishwasher or microwave safe. I thought it was going to be the perfect solution so was bummed when I started some quick research.

Ours has gone through the dishwasher at least 5 times without issue. I am sure DD2 has put it in the microwave. My bowl is already slightly misshapen (by design) and hasn’t changed shape.

Corrie, have you tried Corelle? I thought that was supposed to be non-breakable.


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SnuggleBuggles
06-13-2021, 09:25 AM
I’m not sure you’d really notice any problems with how it looks. It’s about how when it gets heated it leaches chemicals. I’d be happy to read something about the safety since I really only went through the first 2 pages on google results to get my info. No telling how accurate it was.
When Corelle breaks, it shatters. Not a nice clean break like porcelain.



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corrie23
06-14-2021, 07:02 PM
Hi everyone, thank you for the replies so far, although I just realized that I posted this in bargains rather than in the lounge as I had intended (oops). I'm going to re-post it there unless it can be moved....

RedSuedeShoes
07-20-2021, 06:49 PM
Ours has gone through the dishwasher at least 5 times without issue. I am sure DD2 has put it in the microwave. My bowl is already slightly misshapen (by design) and hasn’t changed shape.

Corrie, have you tried Corelle? I thought that was supposed to be non-breakable.


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Corelle is not unbreakable, just break resistant. When it does break, it shatters into a thousand tiny shards. We stopped using it for that reason.

I think I read years ago that melamine was safer to the user than other plastics (the concerns about melamine were the risks to workers and environment from the manufacturing process).

Gracemom
07-21-2021, 06:16 PM
Amazon has plates made from wheat straw. I just ordered some but haven't received them yet.

roobee
07-21-2021, 08:11 PM
We have tempered glass buffet style salad plates that we use for everything. I have a stack of 3 dozen that we use for every single snack anyone has around here. Granola bar? Use a plate. Cupcake? Use a plate. I broke one doing something stupid with it, but otherwise they are very resilient, no chips or anything.

I also just found these darling melamine/bamboo plates at Target. We use melamine outside and I always put it in the dishwasher, never in the microwave though. I don't have these ones from Target - but now I really want them!



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AnnieW625
07-22-2021, 12:28 PM
I absolutely love Corelle. I originally bought a few pieces (2-3 of cereal bowls, appetizer plates and salad plates) in 2009 when DD1 was 3 as I thought it was safer for her to use than the heavy Heath stoneware us adults were using but she was outgrowing the divided baby plates. I started buying a few pieces over the years like the the 28 oz. bowls (are great for Trader Joe’s frozen oatmeal, which can bubble up and spill in the microwave) and then last year I bought enough to have close to a whole set of Corelle for 8-12 (dinner plates, salad plates, appetizer plates, and I think we have about 8 bowls, and the two large bowls….I need more bowls because they are always the most used now with us all being home) because we bought a Miele dishwasher and it just fits better than the heavy stoneware and the kids now have no issues picking it up and putting it away. I love being able to put up to six plates or so at once away and they aren’t heavy. I wish I would’ve bought it sooner (but it wasn’t cool and hip in 2003 when we got married….he he!). So with all of that said in the 12 years of using Corelle on a daily basis we have had maybe one plate and one bowl break. I honestly don’t remember how the plate broke but the bowl was already in the sink and and someone placed something heavy like a glass in it at the right pressure point and it exploded. Yes it is loud when it shatters but it so much easier to pick up (it reminds of the consistency of small sea glass chips)


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