- Melamine dinnerware is shatterproof, easy to clean and care for, and is available in a wide variety of styles and budgets, which makes it the best choice for outdoor entertaining.
- Crate & Barrel's Lunea Melamine Dinnerware is the best because it's sturdy and affordable, and offers a good range of serving pieces and sizes.
With summer in full swing, outdoor entertaining is on everyone's mind. Instead of paper plates, why not upgrade your meal service to something more sophisticated? We love melamine dinnerware for this purpose: lightweight, virtually unbreakable (you can't chip or break it, so you don't have to worry about glass breaking and someone with bare feet stepping on it), and, in most cases, can even pass for ceramic or porcelain. And with a huge variety when it comes to design and price, you'll have your pick of styles that are great for large family gatherings, smaller dinner parties with friends, or holiday-themed events and pool parties. It's also a breeze to clean, dishwasher safe, and less wasteful than disposable paper or plastic plates.
People have questioned whether melamine is made from unsafe chemicals, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states this type of plastic is safe, especially in the high-quality sets that we picked after much research, all of which are certified BPA-free. However, it is important to never put melamine in a conventional oven or a microwave, where high temperatures can cause melting and compromise the material.
Today's melamine dishes are stylish. You can find any sort of design, from a minimalist everyday pattern to a holiday or seasonal motif. With so many options to consider, we focused on the most important parameters to consider when shopping for melamine dinnerware: style or design, budget, and frequency of use.
Here is the best outdoor dinnerware you can buy:
- Best outdoor dinnerware overall: Crate & Barrel Lunea Melamine Dinnerware
- Best value outdoor dinnerware: Yinshine Melamine Camping Dinnerware Set
- Best outdoor dinnerware for parties or special occasions: Bezu Melamine Set
- Best outdoor dinnerware for everyday use: Parhoma Melamine Dinnerware Set
- Best outdoor dinnerware splurge for design addicts: Heritage Blue Melamine Dinnerware Set
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