Trays
About Trays
If you think about the hardest working items in your home, trays will be somewhere near the top of that list. They are so versatile and you can literally use them for anything. Let it be to serve food and drinks, arrange items on the table, or as a decorative element. The only limit you have is your imagination and creativity.
Trays basically provide you bigger hands. They give you a larger platform to carry glasses and course safely and comfortably to the table. Besides, you can also use them to organise your things. And if the tray is large enough, you can use it as a substitute for a magazine holder. In short, you can use them in so many different ways. But before you start shopping for them, make sure to read this article to know more about them. Although platters are pretty simple by definition, there are a lot of things to look for when you shop. Having a better understanding of them will help you make better choices.
Different types of serving platters that you will need
Serving plates is something everyone must have in their kitchens. They are incredibly versatile and are also available in a wide variety of designs. Typically, the major distinguishing feature between different types of platters is the material. Besides that, they also differ in their sizes and functionality. In order to know which one is the most suitable for your needs, you should first understand what the pros and cons of each of them are. This article will tell you about the different types of serving trays.
Plastic serving trays
Plastic trays are the cheapest and most versatile type of trays. They are ubiquitous in all kitchens and are available in many different sizes, styles, colours and designs. You will come across regular plastic trays and disposable trays. The former is usually made of good quality hard plastic while the latter is cheaper low quality plastic. Disposable plastic trays will only last for a few uses and then they start to break. You can throw them away after a few uses. Such trays are ideal for one-off events like weddings or other celebrations. Hard plastic trays are what you need for your home kitchen.
Tea serving trays
In this case the name might be slightly misleading. Even though people call it tea trays , you can serve coffee or other drinks on it. The most distinguishing mark of a tea serving tray is its elaborate decoration. These trays always use metals. Although stainless steel is the most popular material because of its durability and relatively low cost, some use brass as well. As you can imagine brass trays are more expensive but offer a superior finish. Another choice is a wooden tray. Wooden and metal ones are strikingly different in their appearance and level of decoration.
Appetiser trays
This is another of those kitchen utensils that is a must have. Appetizer trays make it easier to serve small courses. You can serve snacks and fruit slices on them when you are hosting dinners. That’s not to say that they are not useful for everyday use. THese trays are available in a lot of different forms. Most common ones are made of glass. It is easy to tell these apart from regular serving trays as they have compartments. You can use the compartments to separate different courses. That’s not all. They are great for serving chips and other snacks on the coffee table.
Fast food serving trays
These are more common in restaurants. They are rectangular in shape and are quite larger than other types of serving trays. Fast food trays are not the most attractive trays to look at but they are highly functional and durable. They won't break even if you drop them several times. In order to keep the food from sticking to the surface of the tray, you will have to use a paper placeholder when you serve on it. Most fast food trays look the same and are available in only a few colours. But that’s okay because you are probably buying it for its durability and functionality.
Tips on how to buy the right type of kitchen tray online
- Material - First thing to consider when you are shopping for trays is the material. The material will dictate the finish and durability of the tray. The decor of the tray has to go well with the material, be it wood or metal. You can also try to match it with other utensils in your kitchen as well.
- Design - Trays are more than just a functional piece of item to have in your kitchen. Rather, they can often serve as a statement piece on a table. Therefore, you should make sure that tray has an elegant design. It also should complement the design of the glasses and other serveware that you put along with the tray.
- Handles - You can't overlook the handles when you choose the trays. Handles play a huge role in the usability of the tray. The size and location of the tray handles vary widely between models. For instance, handles of a tea serving tray are raised on both sides. Besides, they also have an additional handle for better support. On the other hand, trays that carry food have no handle at all.
- Size - This one is pretty obvious. As the main purpose of a tray is to carry jars, plates, and glasses, the size matters a lot. Instead of looking for the largest tray outside, consider your requirements and ease of use. Remember that the larger a tray gets, the heavier it will be. Heavy trays are difficult to carry. Therefore, you have to strike a balance between the usability and size.