Hefty’s Serve ‘n Store Clicked with Me!
Written: Apr 19 '05 (Updated Jun 19 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Solid construction; microwaveable; unique interlocking system; soak-proof; stain and cut-resistant
Cons: Intended as a disposable, one-time-use product
The Bottom Line: A great innovation that functions as promised. Remember, just because the manufacturer says a product is disposable, does not mean you can only use it once.
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| pogomom's Full Review: Hefty Serve 'n Store Everyday Disposable Tableware |
Let me be the first to announce, I am not the only hefty one in this house. Hefty Serve ‘n Store Everyday Plates and Bowls earned a permanent place in our home after being put through their paces.
Normally, I would never consider purchasing disposable products, especially when there are more lasting alternatives available. In fact, these plates and bowls came into my hands courtesy of Hass MS&L, the public relations firm handling the pre-launch event for Hefty. Along with twenty-five others asked to try the product and present our honest opinions in a review, I offer my experience with this innovative and truly unique new serve and store line. No guilty conscience here, those coming across this review are about to get “just the facts ma’am”.
As I hinted above, this family recycles, avoids using paper towels, saturated wipes and other one-time use, disposable products. We use cloth napkins, maintain a compost bin and try to find additional uses for products that no longer serve their original purpose. That said, the public relations firm took a real chance sending me disposable tableware to critique. Knowing the product was headed to my door, I thought this might be the perfect opportunity to wax poetic about the benefits of choosing to not waste resources and our hard earned money on items produced for a single use. It turns out that tirade will have to wait; Hefty came up with a winner.
Solid as a Faux Rock!
The construction of Hefty’s Serve ‘n Store Everyday and Party series plates and bowls is sturdy enough to withstand much more than the one-time use the manufacturer intended. The composite seems sturdier than Hefty’s regular line of plastic tableware and the addition of interlocking rims turns this dishware into something doubly useful.
The Everyday line comes in basic white, Hefty offers the Party line in blue and red. What makes the Serve ‘n Store tableware more than sandwich and salad supporters are the decorative and utilitarian interlocking latches built into the rims. Both the Party and Everyday line come in ten-inch dinner plates, nine-inch lunch plates and 24-ounce bowls. Aligning the latches to snap together two bowls, two same-size plates or a lunch plate and a bowl is a no-brainer. The latches or raised areas and the indentations are large and tough enough to withstand the extreme pressure of manly mitts and designed well so someone with less oomph in their grip can easily snap two pieces securely together.
Sitting at the dining room table with a stack of plates and bowls, I connected, locked and unlocked the bowls and plates until Equal Half threatened to throw my new toys and me out of the house. Satisfied that the tableware did form a decent seal, it was time to take things to a higher level. I disassembled a dozen flying saucer replicas and headed for the kitchen.
Testing… Testing… One, two three…
Serve ‘n Store failed the first test as expected. I filled one of the nine-inch (actually 8.875-inch – but who’s counting?) bowls with water. Making sure to securely connect a plate to the bowl, I tipped the covered bowl on end and water slowly dribbled from the rim. If in need of an airtight storage container, avoid this line.
The second test may seem silly to some; I wanted to see how the plastic would hold up to steaming hot popcorn. In the past, when I made the mistake of pouring freshly popped popcorn into inexpensive plastic bowls, the bowls pitted and became warped from the heat. The Serve ‘n Store bowls held up well, not a pit in site. I washed the bowls and I dare anyone to tell which bowls we used and which ones are new.
The results of test number three surprised us, these bowls withstood the assault of both chili and pasta with sausage and peppers reheated in the microwave. I own a set of matching Rubbermaid™ and Tupperware™ storage bowls. I say they match because every single storage bowl we own bears identical scars from reheating or defrosting tomato-based sauces. Hefty’s latest offering heated the sauce without stains or etching. Washing the bowls after our spicy late night snacks convinced me that this product fits us to a tee – the oil and tomato residue disappeared and the tableware again, looked new.
Use and Care of Semi-Disposable Tableware
Nowhere on the package or manufacturer’s web site will you find any directions regarding long term maintenance and care of these plates and bowls. Hand washing is my only recommendation, if you are even slightly as obsessive as I am about not throwing away useful items. (I cannot imagine what these items would look like after a run through the dishwasher’s heat cycle.)
It should go without saying; this type of plastic should never be used in an oven, toaster oven and on a cook top or range. It should go without saying but thank goodness, the good folks at Pactiv Corporation display a warning on the side of the package letting us know that plastic and direct heat sources don’t mix well. They also warn against reheating foods for longer than a total of four minutes (based on 1000-watt microwave ovens). Unless you list ‘pyromaniac’ as your job description on your tax return, heed those warnings.
Suggestions, Tips and a Few Thoughts
I noticed that the manufacturer made no claims, recommendation or mention of how this product line would stand up when storing leftovers in the freezer. I guess that omission means they do not warrant the Serve ‘n Store line for that use. Considering my first stab at product testing the bowls for leakage, I imagine any food stored in these containers might be subject to freezer burn.
The manufacturer suggests we use these products for everyday meals, storing leftovers, reheating meals and “holding and reheating food for someone who is running late.” I immediately saw a few other uses for the deep dishes and bowls.
I live in a neighborhood that tries and often succeeds in evoking the spirit of old-time communities. Neighbors bring one another macaroni salad, potato salad, complete dinners, cookies and baked goods. Some of us, including me, fail to return the plates on which those offerings arrived. Using Hefty Serve ‘n Store plates would still allow for attractive presentation without the obligation of having to return serving plates. Having the ability to securely lock the food between two plates instead of attempting to juggle a Saran wrapped dish in twenty-mile per hour winds would make me feel like being generous more often.
A single friend mentioned that this type of product would make taking a homemade lunch to work less of an ordeal. Equal Half echoed that thought, adding that he would not feel he had to be as careful with these plates as he is with other, more expensive containers.
We used the Hefty dinnerware when grilling and eating out by the pool. It was great to be able to bring the pickles, bread, salad and other side dishes out in advance and not have to worry about bugs joining our picnic. We normally use our stoneware even when eating outside but this time we tried the Hefty plates. Slicing grilled chicken breasts on the plates did no harm to the surface. That was a surprise even after reading the package and web site claims stating the dinnerware is cut-resistant and soak-proof.
I know others may feel that a single use of this type of product is enough but I urge you to think beyond the manufacturer’s intent. Even if you cannot see using semi-disposable plates and bowls a second time for food, think about other uses. The deep dishes and bowls would make terrific seeding trays, paint palettes and receptacles for all those tiny craft items that love to roll off the table and disappear into the carpet.
I am enthusiastic about these products and hope that when you try them you use your imagination before getting ready to toss them. Just because the manufacturer says a product is disposable, does not mean you can only use it once.
Recommended:
Yes
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pogomom
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About Me:
Web/puter person who, disguised as mild-mannered Pogomom, offers unsolicited opinions to all she encounters.
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