We look at the Dining area today on Aavaas. Tableware is a term which encompasses a whole range of products. This includes:

Dishes - Any container which is used for either serving or eating

Cutlery - Accessories which aid in eating/serving processes

Drinking Vessels - The name is self explanatory

Today, we have a brief look at one type of dish - Plates

a) Steel Plates

Image Courtesy : kitchenwaremart.com

Used extensively in Indian homes, steel plates have some kind of a tradition attached to them. Brides bring them to their new homes after marriage. Steel dinner sets are common gift articles too.

Steel has the reputation of being durable and corrosion free. Although steel plates loose their initial lustre upon constant usage, they really last long.

Most homes have steel plates for the daily usage and switch to other types when important guests are visiting them.

The only issue with steel plates is that it could get noisy while handling and also while people are eating off them, especially if they tend to use steel spoons or forks.

Steel plates which are not complicated in construction are also safe for dishwashers.

Steel plates should NOT be used in Microwave ovens.

b) Melamine Plates

Image Courtesy : germes-online.com

Melamine is a form of plastic which is hard in nature. Some may refer to this as plastic plates also. Although the grades and characteristics between traditional plastic and Melamine would vary, it is tough to tell them apart by a casual glance.

Melamine plates are available in most of the stores and are pretty inexpensive. They are durable for daily use but not to the extent of steel plates. Melamine plates have lots of colors and patterns available. Customers can choose the one which suits their taste.

The colors and patterns would tend to dull out after a while. This disadvantage may not be apparent in expensive tableware like china dishes.

Care needs to be taken before using Melamine plates in dishwashers. It is better to buy plates from a reputed brand and check the instructions for dishwasher compatibility.

Melamine plates can be used in Microwave ovens.

c) Glass Plates

Image Courtesy : villagekitchen.com

Glass is a fragile yet royal item for dining accessories. Plates are no exception. Glass plates are available in many varieties.

- Clear Glass Plates (transparent)

- Colored Glass Plates where one can choose from a plethora or color combinations

- Glass with relief work : These types of plates are expensive but worth showcasing to guests

- Diffused or smoked glass - These look really interesting and one can have a conversation around the glass ware with their guests. Costs would be on the higher side though.

Glass plates are quite dishwasher friendly. Most washers and the liquids used in the machine work wonders on glass plates. Good quality plates are resistant to scratches from spoons and forks.

The only care one needs to exercise while using glass plates is the Handling.

Glass plates can be used in a microwave oven.

d) Chinaware (Porcelain/Ceramics)

This type of plates are really special. They are usually expensive compare to all other types which we spoke about in the article thus far.

Image Courtesy : tias.com

Authentic Chinaware has the following properties:

- High strength and hardness (but chinaware is brittle so it should be handled with care)

- Glassiness

- Durability

- Whiteness that lasts

- Translucence

Premium Chinaware items are objects of desire. Care has to be exercised while cleaning them in dishwashers. The instructions can be found on the carton or can be obtained from the dealer.

Most chinaware can be used in microwave ovens. However since it is an expensive product, exercising caution is the right thing to do.

We will cover other types of dishes in the coming days.