What's the difference between a display plate and an everyday plate? Display plates have many decorating materials, techniques, and colors approved by the FDA. With many fancy styles and patterns available...
With many fancy styles and patterns available for both display plates and everyday plates, it may be difficult at first to distinguish some differences. After all, many display plates may double as Christmas cookie plates around the holidays or candy and dessert plates at special functions throughout the year.
Cheryl Lyons, the 10-year president of LDA Creations, Inc., stresses that the difference between display plates and those plates that people typically eat on involves the types of material used to decorate them. "Some decoration materials are not safe for human consumption," Ms. Lyons cautions.
"That's why you'll see some plates that display on the back of the plate that they are not for food consumption," she adds. "Some manufacturers make display plates are perfectly fine for food consumption as well."
Because of this potential health issue, it becomes critical for all collectors of special display plates to check the plates thoroughly for any notations about food safety. If instructions and warnings cannot be found, it may be best to avoid eating off of that particular plate for safety's sake. People should be especially careful in using plates that may contain potentially harmful chemicals and elements. Some decorating techniques rely on lead and other metallic elements in the colors, Ms. Lyons explains.
"Those are used to make the colors brighter, but when used in decorating a plate, often some of the materials can leach into the food," she details. "That is why the Food and Drug Administration has regulations for plates that are used on your dinner table. They can't have over a certain amount of these elements in the decorating materials."
Ms. Lyons continues to explain that the FDA requirements frequently change without rhyme or reason. She adds that the colors used for decorating tableware also are ever changing.
In considering safety for anyone who might wish to purchase special display plates, Ms. Lyons points out, "There are pallets of colors available with absolutely no lead or heavy metals. Some manufacturers will use only those colors."
Some further differences between display plates and everyday plates include:
-Typical dinner plates are used everyday, and most times they can go through the dishwasher without a problem.
-Display plates should be washed carefully by hand and should never enter a dishwasher.
-Some display plates should never be used with food, while others may be perfectly fine for special food displays. Read the fine print about whether or not your display plates are safe to use with edibles.
-Most display plates are proudly showcased throughout the home.
-In most households, typical dinner plates and everyday plates are tucked away inside cabinets and cupboards.
-Over time, some display plates may increase in worth.
-Most display plates are hand-painted and specially adorned, whereas typical everyday plates are often mass-produced with few elaborate elements.
-In most cases, a set of display plates - and even just a single display plate - makes a much better gift than a set of dinner plates!
