paper vs. glass

**CaddoRose** · 10-04-2010, 02:20 PM

I have a family of 7 and 5 of those are kids. 13, 11, 3,2 and 1. I love paper plates, but I'm trying to figure out how to decide between paper or glass plates. I cook 2 times a day and feed the 3 little ones 5 times a day at the table. If I use glass dishes, it really adds up to a lot of dish washing( by hand) and the paper plates really help with that, but is it economically better to use the paper? Does the use of water/soap to wash offset the cost of paper? I also use the plates for food prep. Any ideas or suggestions ?

**shoiji** · 10-04-2010, 02:24 PM

Since you have your hands full through out the day and probably night I would say go with what makes your life easier. Just remind yourself that once your children reach school age you can stop using the paper plates. By then they can helping around the kitchen, especially when it comes to dishes. i.e., at the end of the meal you have hot soapy water and the kids go and wash their dishes.

**Judi Dial** · 10-04-2010, 03:23 PM

Shoiji said what I was going to, have the kids do the dishes!

I started cooking/cleaning around 12, it didn't kill me, and I didn't break that many.

Also, try some presoaking, like commercial kitchens do. Put some soap/water in a plastic bucket and throw the silverware in it. This keeps the crud on the silverware out of your dishwater and helps clean them too! You also may want to look for bus buckets at a restaurant supply house, that's what I'd do if I was feeding that many people!

Judi

**Neeley** · 10-04-2010, 03:35 PM

I have to believe washing dishes is a much more economical choice. By waiting for a sale and combining it with coupons, you can get dish detergent for pennies. I keep 10 or so bottles of Dawn on hand at all times and have paid $0.75 or less for each bottle.

I am also in agreement with the previous posters, kids can do the dishes. A 13 and 11 year old can wash and rinse while a 3 year old can dry anything not breakable. Chances are the 2 year old will see the bigger ones doing this and want to "help", too. Mine tried to pull the "I can't get the dishes clean enough" thing on us thinking we would relieve them of dish washing duty. Well, that didn't fly. After making them rewash every single dish, then having them rewash most of the dishes in the cabinet for practice, they suddenly became instant experts on washing dishes.

**krbshappy71** · 10-04-2010, 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by CaddoRose

I have a family of 7 and 5 of those are kids. 13, 11, 3,2 and 1. I love paper plates, but I'm trying to figure out how to decide between paper or glass plates. I cook 2 times a day and feed the 3 little ones 5 times a day at the table. If I use glass dishes, it really adds up to a lot of dish washing( by hand) and the paper plates really help with that, but is it economically better to use the paper? Does the use of water/soap to wash offset the cost of paper? I also use the plates for food prep. Any ideas or suggestions ?

Check Goodwill/thrift shops for plastic plates. Less grief when dropped than glass plates, can be "brushed off" of crumbs if the meal wasn't messy, say a sandwich or finger food.

Are there times you could be using paper towels instead of a paper plate? They have those paper towels that can be torn into smaller sections (or hand-tear them but mine don't always tear neatly into half) and would be even cheaper than paper plates for items like sandwiches and finger foods.

If you want to be eco-friendly, go one step further and have a very pretty cloth napkin for each kiddo to use as a paper-plate for non-messy foods such as sandwiches and finger foods. They can be easily shaken off of crumbs, folded back into a drawer repeatedly before they get dirty enough they would need washed. Then throw them in with weekly washing. (well with that big of a family you probably do laundry more than weekly, ha!)

I'd suggest trying to get kiddos into the habit of not grabbing a new dish every time they want to eat, not grabbing a new glass for a drink, etc. and that should also help to keep costs and dishes down to a minimum, and is teaching them good habits about being aware of taking care of our planet instead of resorting to convenience.

The older ones should be able to help with this, as well.

**Libby** · 10-04-2010, 04:30 PM

What about Corelle dishes? Have you thought of these? They claim to be break/chip resistant and are covered for the 1st 3 yrs. I'd never assume it was unbreakable - anything is possible but thats a great type of dish to start with before transitioning to other types of glass dinnerware. I agree with the kids helping do dishes/clear the table etc.

When I was younger - my hunger would go from non existent to NOW with a rage. My mom knew the time that the crazy hour would hit and she was almost done cooking and plate when it'd hit. She'd already have the dishes out on the counter with cutlery so I could just grab it and set the table as she finished off everything. (wasn't tall enough to reach cupboards) Worked out great for learning to do my bit before getting to eat.

From their site:

Our square dinnerware is created using a hub lamination process that fuses multiple layers of glass together to create a lightweight, yet durable glassware that is break- and chip-resistant. The result is a beautiful square dinnerware set that is as stylish as it is functional. We stand behind our dinnerware with a 3 year break and chip limited warranty. The ergonomic design makes it easy to handle. It also allows the dishes to stack neatly to conserve space.

**Momto5RN** · 10-04-2010, 06:25 PM

i have a family of 7 also
we use paper once in a while but mainly use corelle ( which does break lol that i can promise you ) for the kids 12 and up and plastic plates for the younger kids- sometimes i use plastic for lunch etc or snacks- we use plastic ( reusable) cups alot too
just cant use the plastic for reheating in the microwave etc

**Momto5RN** · 10-04-2010, 06:25 PM

ohh and sometimes with larger families a few $ a week is money well spent in exchange for your sanity .

**mndtrp** · 10-04-2010, 07:24 PM

Get the kids to help washing, rinsing, drying and stacking. I helped my mother from a young age. If you don't have enough sets, go to a second hand store or garage sale. Corelle is good, difficult to break, but they do if you try hard enough.

**dcompton** · 10-04-2010, 10:39 PM

I used to never use paper plates as a matter of principle, but when I began having health issues, I gave myself "permission" to use them, and it has made life a lot easier on difficult days. I find it's very little extra expense and a whole lot of help. So I'm a fan of paper - in its place and for a good reason.

If using some paper plates or paper towels helps you keep your sanity and spares you some work, I say go for it and do it guilt-free. You can buy cheap ones, find sales. Even if the older children begin washing the dishes, all the dishes the young ones use will be piling up all day, making working in the kitchen harder too. So I would say use regular plates when you can, use paper when it's sensible and will really help you out.

**frugalfranny** · 10-05-2010, 02:40 AM

Originally Posted by Neeley

I am also in agreement with the previous posters, kids can do the dishes. A 13 and 11 year old can wash and rinse while a 3 year old can dry anything not breakable. Chances are the 2 year old will see the bigger ones doing this and want to "help", too. Mine tried to pull the "I can't get the dishes clean enough" thing on us thinking we would relieve them of dish washing duty. Well, that didn't fly. After making them rewash every single dish, then having them rewash most of the dishes in the cabinet for practice, they suddenly became instant experts on washing dishes.

I agree with Neeley.

Too funny... that is what my dd tried too. Also, told her if she couldn't get it in the dishwasher she washed it by hand........she became an expert at filling the dishwasher.........and if they came back out dirty she had to wash them by hand..........cured it all REAL QUICK!

**Paws** · 10-05-2010, 07:05 PM

Originally Posted by Libby

What about Corelle dishes? Have you thought of these? They claim to be break/chip resistant and are covered for the 1st 3 yrs. I'd never assume it was unbreakable - anything is possible.

Originally Posted by Momto5RN

mainly use corelle ( which does break lol that i can promise you )

Oh yeah, they break...into about a million pieces...

When DH and I first got married, we had a combined huge set of corelle...we own much less of it now due to pieces being dropped or bumped into other things...they definitely break.

**AspiringToBeFrugal** · 10-06-2010, 02:13 PM

I agree with KRBSHAPPY about checking Goodwill or using paper towels when eating finger foods.

I've also seen plastic plates in sets of 4 for sale for $1 at Walmart during back to school and summer preview times...when they want to give you a look at all the things you "need" for summer or dorm rooms.

**mommy4ever** · 10-06-2010, 05:44 PM

We are a family of 6. I have 3 of mine home during the day, which means dishes for 5(13, 11 and 6) plus a home daycare with 2-5 kids depending on the day. I have never used paper unless on a picnic, and even then I prefer real dishes.

A sink full of water when you finish cooking goes a long way. Pop in everything you've used, it makes it easy to clean later!

We spend $20 a month on water, and $18 on sewer. There is no way I could provide paper plates at that cost.

Your older kids are more than capable to do dishes. Set up the littles with a video, and wash with them. Maybe you wash they dry to start with. Make it bonding time. You'll learn alot about their day and lives this way.

**lisaflex** · 10-06-2010, 06:22 PM

i never have (nor will i) figure out the cost usage of ppr plates to washing them (i use the dishwasher anyway). but, sometimes paper (we use chinet that i buy in bulk at bj's..i hate cheap ppr plates that spill and food soaks thru) is just easier! sometimes easy is the name of the game!