Question from Carol
Hi Debra,
I’ve been using melamine for dinner plates, but I worry that they’re toxic. I have a 2 1/2 year old daughter. I need a lightweight plate because I have RSI and some disc trouble. What would you recommend? I couldn’t find anything through Google search.
Debra’s Answer
I think what you want is enamelware. It’s steel with a baked-on enamel coating, which is basically glass. It’s the dinnerware you take camping, but now it’s in a lot of stylish colors and patterns.
Here are a lot of choices for enamel dinnerware online.
You can also just search on your favorite search engine for “enamel dinnerware.”
Some people are concerned about heavy metals in enamel. So before you buy, contact the manufacturer and ask if there are heavy metals in the enamel. You can check for yourself with a Lead Check kit.
From West Elm
We’re getting ready to buy new dinnerware. I’m curious how Le Crueset ranks as far as safety for dinner plates and bowls?
I don’t have data on every possible dinnerware choice. I suggest buying a plate and testing it with LeadCheck swabs. If it tests positive you know for sure there is lead and don’t use it. A negative test is “probably not.”
Also, for your child, I believe Nova Natural has some enamelware in child sizes. 🙂
Yes they do! Enamel dishes at Nova Natural
Corelle’s very simple white dishes aren’t terribly heavy (as compared to heavy stoneware dishes). The Corelle white dishes are fairly thin, and are essentially glass. But not thick or heavy. Just another option. 🙂
We bought Corelle 24 years ago, for my arthritic hands/grandkids/RV and not a single one has chipped or broken. Many have been dropped.
Corelle. They are made of glass, are lightweight and don’t break very easily.