Melamine crockery may have its roots in the 1940s and 50s, but today’s designs are sleek, on-trend and come in all manner of designs, colours and uses, yet all have a nod to nostalgia.

Quality modern melamine products have the look and feel of china. Melamine is one of the most durable dinnerware materials available and will outlast crockery made from ceramic and porcelain. It is versatile, chip-resistant and perfect for indoor and outdoor use. It is also lightweight and immensely practical for waiting and kitchen staff.

There can be considerable cost savings from introducing melamine serving plates, platters, bowls, cups, glasses and cutlery. Some restaurant owners may assume that their customers consider melamine to be an inferior presentation medium to other forms of crockery. However, melamine is enjoying a fashionable resurgence as our dining and serving habits continue to become less formal with outdoor eating, street food and dishes on the go becoming increasingly popular. Indeed, in some settings, melamine is the most practical and viable option for dinnerware. Consider school settings, daycare facilities and healthcare establishments, for example.

What is melamine?

Melamine is a chemical substance. It is created by mixing melatline, an organic compound, with formaldehyde to create a liquid resin that can be moulded to create almost any shape.

Melamine gives dishes a much harder and long-lasting finish than other plastic products. Melamine weighs much less than other forms of tableware, which makes it a practical product for restaurants, cafes and mobile eateries. Melamine does not shatter dangerously like glass.

During the 1950s, virtually every household had a set of melamine dinnerware. With the camping and caravanning boom of the 60s, melamine catering sets became the go-to for picnics and outdoor eating. Melamine has since undergone a renaissance as a stylish choice for patio and terrace dining.

Is melamine plastic?

People often wonder whether melamine is a type of plastic. Technically, it is not. Melamine is a crystalline chemical compound that is not the same thing as plastic. However, when processed to produce melamine resin, then that becomes a form of plastic.

Is melamine microwave safe?

Like many plastic products, melamine crockery and dinnerware is not microwave safe. Food and drink should not be heated on melamine dinnerware in a microwave. Indeed, you should not use any type of crockery in a microwave unless it is labelled as safe to do so. Melamine should also not be heated in a conventional oven.

Is melamine safe?

Melamine is considered to be a safe product. International standards apply to the manufacture of melamine tableware to ensure its safety. It is as safe a product for serving food as china or porcelain.

You could argue melamine is in some respects a safer product. Its lightweight nature is great news for waiting staff carrying heavy plates, plus it's hard to break making it safer outdoors or around children.

Some forms of melamine are also BPA free or contain levels considered to be safe. Melamine products are considered to be dishwasher safe.

The Cooksmill range of melamine crockery

At Cooksmill, we stock a wide range of melamine crockery items that are suitable for all manner of catering establishments or for use at home.

The Royal melamine range has been designed to mimic the look of fine china plates while being virtually indestructible and lightweight. White melamine dinnerware is perfect for showing off food, while the foildesign range of plates adds a touch of embossed floral flare.

Complete your stylish monochrome theme with white and black bowls from the Dune range. Accessorise with Ellipse serving bowls, and Majestic sauce serveries.

If you regularly serve platters, sharers and nibbles, particularly outdoors on a terrace, patio or garden, or even around a pool, then choose a selection of assorted servers from our extensive platter and serving dish range. Melamine is the ideal way to transport snacks and drinks on a tray because it is lightweight and shatterproof.

If you serve oriental dishes then the Blue Décor range replicates the look of Chinese blue-and-white porcelain yet is subtle enough to give a nod to Royal Doulton for British fare.

Finally, the Teakwood range has a wood effect finish, which is ideal for bakeries, cafes, or those serving Italian bread and rustic dishes with the benefit of being ultra hardwearing and hygienic.

Why Buy Melamine Crockery?

Melamine crockery has many benefits including. 

• It’s hard to break which is great for safety and the wallet
• It’s lightweight and easy to carry
• It’s a safe product for use with food
• It’s dishwasher safe
• There’s a large range of modern choices available
• It’s durable and long lasting

When you need unbreakable dinnerware and crockery that can be used, washed and ready to go again and again, melamine is a particularly practical and attractive choice.

Here at Cooksmill, we have an extensive range of melamine plates, bowls, cups, platters plus exciting accessories that will make you stand out from the crowd. To learn more then simply visit our website today to shop online or visit our Manchester store. Delivery is free on orders over £50 ex vat with thousands of items available for fast courier delivery when you shop online.