Disposable and Everyday Bowls

Reusable bowls: material for daily meals

Stoneware is heavy, holds heat and is usually fine in the dishwasher and often the microwave, but it chips if knocked. Melamine is light and tough, which suits outdoor meals and children, but it should not go in the microwave. Stainless steel bowls are unbreakable but pass heat and cold to your hands, and wooden salad bowls need hand washing and oiling. Check capacity in ounces rather than diameter: a 20 ounce bowl suits cereal or noodles, and larger ones suit salads. Sets with stands or servers are counted by piece.

Disposable bowls: paper, plastic or plant fiber

Disposable bowls come in coated paper, plastic and plant fibers such as sugarcane. Fiber and paper bowls handle hot soup and can be composted where facilities accept them, but they soften if food sits for long, so choose a thicker wall for hot or oily food. Plastic bowls hold their shape and suit cold salads. Check the pack count and capacity, and whether lids come in the pack. Heat in a microwave only if the label allows it, and look for a temperature limit on plastic ones.

Questions about Disposable and Everyday Bowls

Is melamine safe in the microwave?

No. Melamine is not designed for microwave heating and can be damaged by high heat, so use it for cold or room-temperature food and for outdoor meals. Switch to stoneware or glass for reheating.

What bowl size should I choose for soup, cereal or salad?

Around 16 to 24 ounces suits a bowl of soup or cereal for one, and 20 ounces is a common noodle bowl. Serving bowls for salad are measured in quarts. Check capacity in ounces or milliliters, not just the width.

Are sugarcane fiber bowls sturdy enough for hot food?

Most hold hot soup and sauce well and resist grease, but they can soften if food sits for a long time. Pick a deeper, thicker-walled bowl for liquids, and put a plate under it for heavy servings.