Vintage family photos look even better when plates frame them with decorative rims. But unfortunately, these pleasing plates are not meant for food consumption.
Plates are standard items in our household, and we use them for one of the most important things we do: eating. But unfortunately, you can’t get enough of them because they come in so many various shapes, hues, and patterns that you can never have enough of them.
Why are plates called chargers? Charger plates, also renowned as decorative charger plates, are large plates used to ‘charge’ full-course dinners or make special events like parties and weddings look better. However, since charger plates aren’t used for food, they can be made from a wide range of materials—and may be decorated with toxic substances if eaten.
Because decorative plates usually don’t have to be just functional, they can come in a wide range of contours, dimensions, and patterns. As a result, there are many decorative plate types, from squares and circles to more specific ones like oval-shaped plates or squares with rounded edges.
Can You Eat Off a Painted Plate?
People eat off plates, so make sure the substances used to decorate your plate are safe to eat off of. Food-safe plates are often marked as such. This painted dinnerware can be used for more than just adorning your dinner table.
They are a very stylish way to serve multiple-course meals. Each course is done in a separate bowl or plate and is placed on top of the charger plate. These plates also come in a range of lengths, diameters, and shapes that you can choose from to match your event’s decor, mood, and style.
Can you eat off acrylic painted plates? Acrylic painted plates are not safe to eat. If it gets hot, it gets mixed with the food. Poisoning or diarrhea could happen if you have a terrible case. But putting on a layer of food-grade sealant can make acrylic paint safe to eat.
Decorated plates are not for beauty alone—health and safety are also important when painting plates. For example, using the wrong plate material could put you at risk of injury because it could crack and be exposed to toxic chemicals.
Using the wrong paint could lead to a less durable design and harmful materials getting into your body. It’s essential to read the labels on the materials you buy to ensure they are safe for high heat and not harmful to your body.
What Do You Use Decorative Plates For?
Decorative plates are usually more significant than a dinner plate but tinier than a platter that serves food. It doesn’t need to hold food; it can be crafted from a broader range of materials. Many of these plates are made of metal, wood, pearl shell, and even leather.
Using these charger plates is a great way to add texture and color to your dinner table. As a rule, plates are used for very formal dinners, but they can be used for all kinds of events.
Having decorative plates is a cheap and straightforward way to add a little seasonal flair to your food choices. Of course, there are a lot of holiday-themed chargers out there. Springy pastels and jewel-like winter tones can also be used to match the mood of any season, but this isn’t the only way.
If you want to have a formal, traditional dinner party, you should use a fine china underplate. This type of plate is sometimes included in bridal registry packages. The template on these plates often goes well with the pattern on the other china, giving the table a second rhythm to look at.
A colorful charger can make everyday dinner plates look new for a party. One color that goes well with the rest of the room or one made of a showy metal can add a less formal touch of class to a casual party.
Can You Eat Off of Bing and Grondahl Christmas Plates?
It doesn’t matter if you have old Bing & Grøndahl Christmas plates if you want to use them as plates for dinner. These vintage Christmas plates are safe for food consumption if they are non-glazed and not considered a charging plate.
Bing & Grøndahl was the first company to make a holiday-inspired plate collection for the yuletide season during the early 1800s. Today, people worldwide love the Bing and Grondahl Christmas Plates because of their beautiful designs and skilled work.
Harald Bing, the owner of Bing & Grøndahl, came up with a Christmas plate. He hired Swedish artist Frans August Hallin to make the design. Hallin used a unique technique to cut the pattern for the container in relief. This gave the plate a very detailed look. The first thing I saw was the skyline of Copenhagen.
It started a Christmas tradition that thousands of collectors look forward to with excitement every year, even though only 400 sets were made. Later, collectibles were added to the Royal Copenhagen and Bing & Grøndahl series. There are many fascinating things like the bell, a drop, and a cup.
Can You Eat Off a Charger Plate?
Charger plates are not meant to be used for dinner and must not contact food. Instead, place these decorative plates on the table next to the plates used to serve each meal, then remove them before dessert is served.
A charger plate is a beautiful and underused part of a table setting. Because it doesn’t touch any food and instead serves as an “artistic” surface for food-carrying dishes and bowls to rest on, a charger plate is called a chop plate, service plate, or “underplate.”
You should choose a charger plate that goes well with the decor on your table and adds aesthetic value to your event’s overall feel. This plate can be more esoteric and unconventional than regular cooking tools.
You can also put a charger plate next to each guest’s place setting. Make sure to place your charger plate between the flatware and below the drink glasses. Chargers should be at least 24 inches apart so that guests have enough room to move around.
