This quick guide explains the basics of charger plates and discusses their various applications and benefits that elevate the art of dining.
A charger plate might not be the first thing you notice at a beautifully set table, but it plays a key role in creating a refined dining experience. Often used in upscale restaurants and formal events, this elegant underplate adds style, structure, and sophistication to any table setting.
In this article, we’ll explore the basics of charger plates and discuss their various applications and benefits that elevate the art of dining.
A charger plate, also known as a service plate, is a decorative piece of tableware used to elevate the ambiance at restaurants, weddings, parties, or banquets. Unlike traditional plates, food isn't served on charger plates. Instead, a separate serving plate is placed on top of the charger.
Serving plates range from 6 to 10 inches in diameter, while a charger plate is typically 13 inches. The name "charger" is derived from the old English word " chargeour," which means a large serving dish.
During a full-course meal, the charger plate stays at the table, while different serving plates are placed on top. As you finish the first course, the servers swap out the serving plate for a new one with the second course.
Although charger plates are not necessary for a good dining experience, their presence does add an extra layer of enjoyment.
Here are five reasons to use charger plates at your next dinner party.
Charger plates give a unique table presentation by adding color and elegance to the dining experience. They evoke a sense of formality and sophistication while elevating the table's visual appeal.
A large charger minimizes the risk of spills and stains, keeping your table neat and clean. It is particularly useful when serving soups and sauce-based dishes.
Chargers also help give some structure to a dinner table. Each charger is accompanied by a set of cutlery on the sides. This type of table setting evenly spaces out the dining area for a uniform and symmetric look.
Chargers are blank canvases. As no food will be served on these plates, they can be a purely decorative item that reflects the colors and aesthetics of your business or event.
Weddings often use chargers that reflect the theme and colors of the wedding, such as matching the charger plate colors to the flowers.
A nice hot plate of food comes with two challenges. First, the heat can travel from the base to the table, damaging and staining the linen. Second, as the heat travels from the plate or bowl to the table, the food gets colder.
Chargers establish a protective layer between the food and the table, ensuring your meals stay nice and warm for a longer period.
As a purely decorative tableware element, there are several material options for charger plates.
Here is a comprehensive list of charger plate materials.
Table 1 - Comparing the pros and cons of different charger plate materials.
Porcelain (or fine china) is one of the most popular choices for dinner plates. It's beautiful, elegant, and screams luxury. So it only makes sense to use porcelain charger plates for your restaurant or wedding reception.
However, porcelain has two drawbacks - it's expensive and it's fragile. Any sudden impact or rapid shift in temperature can shatter the charger.
Ceramic is a premium-feeling material several times stronger than porcelain. A popular design option is to use black charger plates made from ceramic with gold accents. Ceramic has better thermal and shock resistance compared to porcelain but at the cost of some extra weight.
Glass is a low-cost option that still manages to give your tableware a luxurious and premium feel. It shares many of the benefits of porcelain at a fraction of the price. Glass is also an infinitely recyclable material, making it a sustainable option.
Wood is an incredibly versatile material that was once popular for tableware. Chargers made from high-quality hardwoods like maple, cherry, and walnut last a very long time and only need occasional maintenance.
It is also one of the safest materials for chargers. Wood is shatterproof, long-lasting, and a good heat insulator.
Hardwoods can be quite expensive, so you can switch to softwoods like pine, which are slightly less durable.
Plant-based charger plates are a biodegradable and eco-friendly option. Trees require lots of resources (water and nutrient-rich soil) and nearly a decade to mature, meaning we are cutting trees faster than we can grow them.
In comparison, plants like hemp and bamboo consume fewer resources and mature more quickly. Bamboo charger plates reduce your carbon footprint while ensuring a unique and distinctive table setting.
Metal is the best-in-class material for charger plates. It's elegant, long-lasting, shatterproof, and infinitely recyclable. However, it doesn't have the same visual appeal as wood or porcelain.
Metal is also an excellent conductor of heat, which results in your dishes getting cold more quickly.
Plastic is generally not recommended for food service. It's bad for the environment and causes microplastics buildup in people. However, plastic charger plates are not a bad option in this particular case.
Since you don't eat off of a charger plate, there is no risk of microplastics ingestion. It's also not a single-use item, so its environmental impact is greatly reduced.
Melamine is a type of plastic material that is more durable and has better heat insulation. Overheating melamine tableware can cause harmful chemicals to leach into the food.
However, since food won't be served on a melamine charger plate, it is considered safe to use.
Both plastic and melamine are preferred for charger plates, as they can be easily dyed and printed with complex designs.
Here is a quick list of occasions where charger plates can elevate the experience.
Fancy restaurants and luxury hotels are all about giving guests a premium experience. Charger plates add an additional layer of class and elegance to the overall dining experience.
We recommend focusing on premium materials like porcelain or ceramic, or sustainable materials like wood to maximize the visual impact.
Charger plates can make your special day even more special by making the post-wedding dinner fancier. We recommend using colorful charger designs that complement your wedding theme.
Charity dinners are all about giving donors a fun experience. Guests often pay hundreds or thousands of dollars per plate. So, adding a fancy charger plate to elevate the dining experience makes sense.
Cleaning and maintaining charger plates requires diligence. The exact cleaning steps vary depending on the material of the dinner plate.
a. Ceramic and porcelain are the simplest to maintain. After a thorough wash, store them in a safe place, away from unnecessary vibrations.
b. Glass and metal are also easy to maintain. However, be extra careful when drying them after washing, as water stains are particularly noticeable on these materials.
c. Plastic and melamine plates scratch easily. Be sure to use a soft cleaning sponge and avoid applying extra pressure when scrubbing.
d. Wood and plant-based chargers need the most care. For longevity, be sure to clean them with a gentle sponge and regularly apply a finishing oil.
Table placemats and charger plates accomplish the same task but in completely different ways. Both items create a separating layer between the table linens and the dinnerware.
Chargers are large plates that add a premium feel to the dining experience. They typically cost a lot more than placemats while performing similarly.
Placemats are a low-cost alternative to chargers. They are small mats made from rubber, plastic, cloth, or woven plant fibers. However, sauces and liquids can seep into the placemat and stain your tablecloth.
Placemats are practical, but chargers are premium.
Choosing the right charger plate is all about matching your aesthetics to your budget. However, picking out the best chargers for your dinner table requires going through the following factors.
Choosing the right aesthetics, design, shape, and colors is all part of finding the perfect charger plate. Your restaurant atmosphere and theme play a big role in determining the look and feel of the charger plates.
Material is your next biggest choice. You have premium and expensive materials like porcelain, ceramic, and hardwoods that increase the perceived value of the dining experience.
You can also choose natural and eco-friendly options like wood, plant fiber, and metal, which will highlight your restaurant as a sustainable dining establishment.
Finally, you can go for plastic or melamine plates for fully customizable designs.
Cleaning and maintaining your charger plates is very important. Porcelain, glass, metal, and plastic are all dishwasher-safe options.
Conversely, wood and ceramic are not recommended for dishwasher use and must be hand-washed.
The environmental impact of charger plates can be measured in several ways.
Porcelain, ceramic, and glass are environmentally safe, meaning they don't cause direct damage to the environment. However, if you frequently replace broken plates (either by guests or kitchen staff), you increase your carbon footprint. Producing these chargers takes energy, energy that is often generated by non-renewable sources.
The other way to gauge the environmental impact of your tableware is to see if the materials are biodegradable or compostable. Materials like plastic will not degrade and end up polluting the earth with microplastics.
Finally, we have wood-based chargers. Unless that wood is sourced ethically and there is enough replacement for harvested trees, the eco-friendly factor falls significantly.
Finally, we have to consider pricing. Charger plates are expensive, especially for a smaller restaurant. The biggest factor is material. Porcelain, ceramic, and wood are the most expensive materials and are generally recommended for high-end dining places.
Plastic and plant-based chargers are relatively affordable but lack the same prestige.
Charger plates are a simple but effective means of adding elegance and sophistication to your dining experience. They're a practical tool that helps keep table linens clean while adding a unique visual element to the dinner table. Choosing the right dinner charger plate is all about balancing your restaurant aesthetics with the materials. Expensive materials offer a premium and luxurious feel, whereas plastic and glass offer more customization options. Regardless of the material, a charger plate is a great addition to any dinner table.
Ancheng is a leading manufacturer of eco-friendly wood and bamboo products. We specialize in high-quality, durable, and long-lasting tableware, plates, and straws. Our wood and bamboo materials are ethically sourced, ensuring sustainable and eco-friendly products.
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Hello, I'm Sven Wang, the Manager of Ancheng. With extensive expertise in raw materials and production processes, I'm dedicated to advancing sustainable tableware and constantly improving eco-friendly options for the modern catering industry. You can trust that Ancheng is committed to providing the highest quality. Welcome!
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