Ivory U-QE Disposable Plates

Not our plastic ones. Heat can warp them, and gold or silver rims are metallic, which can spark. They’re fine for serving a hot meal; just heat the food in something else first. The exception is our wheat straw plates, which are listed as microwave-safe. Check the product page to be sure.

A standard dinner plate is about 10 to 11 inches across. Most of ours are 10 to 10.25 inches, which leaves a visible border on a 12- or 13-inch charger. Salad and dessert plates are smaller, around 7 to 7.5 inches. Our 9-inch plates sit in between and suit lunches and lighter buffets.

Many do. A lot of our 100-piece packs are 50 dinner plates (10.25 inches) and 50 dessert plates (7.5 inches) in the same design. Others contain dinner plates only, often 150 to a pack. The title and description of each product spell out the mix.

Yes, if you hand-wash them. Most of our plastic plates aren’t dishwasher-safe, so wash them in warm, soapy water, dry them and store them flat. Stop using any plate that’s cracked, warped or cloudy. If you want plates for regular use, look at the wheat straw plates, which are listed as dishwasher-safe.

Bagasse is the fiber left over after sugarcane is pressed for juice. It’s molded into sturdy plates that handle hot and greasy food and can be composted after use. Most need a commercial composting facility, so check what your area accepts. To serve something hot, warm it in a microwave-safe dish first.

Choose a heavier plate with a high-gloss finish and a metallic rim. White with a gold rim is the most china-like. Scalloped, baroque and lace-edged designs add detail that reads as porcelain in photos. Pairing them with charger plates and metallic silverware makes the table look even more formal.