Tis the season for summer cookouts and hosting guests, and dishware can be an unexpected source of challenge for many people. Whether due to pain, weakness, tremors, limited mobility, or limb differences, the actual plates and cups we use can make life significantly harder–and potentially dangerous, if the items are breakable. Here are just a few options to consider, either for your own use or as you look to host guests who might have challenges (and as always, let’s not sacrifice on style…).

Break-Proof Plates

Melamine

Melamine is the first and easiest option for break-proof dinnerware. They’re inexpensive, lightweight, easy to clean, and they come in about a million different designs. All of those can be important considerations.

Of course, keeping the budget in mind is always a priority, especially if you live on a fixed income due to disability or have reduced work hours. Prices for melamine dish sets range from just over $10 all the way up into the hundreds, with plenty of options in between.

The actual weight of dishes is something we don’t often stop to consider–unless you struggle with grip strength or pain. In those cases, heavy dishes only compound the challenges! It can be helpful to look for plates that aren’t excessively heavy on their own, especially since the food itself will add more weight. You can also consider the thickness of plates as you’re shopping. For some people, thinner plates are easier to grip, balance, etc., while for others, a thicker rim makes it easier to hold on.

I’m all for the easiest possible workload when it comes to cleaning, and melamine gets a check mark in that department as well! Most are dishwasher safe, so cleanup is a piece of cake. Even if they aren’t, they tend to “let go” of food easily, so that it doesn’t take much scrubbing to get them cleaned up.

Recycled Plastic

Another fun option to consider is recycled plastic dishes. While these tend to be a little more expensive than melamine, they come with many of the same benefits, plus a smaller carbon footprint! They also often come as full sets, including bowls, plates, cups, and cutlery (lightweight, easy-to-grip cutlery can be a huge help too, but that may need to be another post for another day…) As with all things plastic, be sure to avoid BPA.

Metal

I have to confess something: I’m really, really partial to the look of speckled enamelware, especially in gorgeous shades of green like this one. Do I own any? No. Do I sometimes dream about owning it? Yep!

Metal plates are a great, long-lasting options that have many of the same benefits as the others. The big difference is typically cost: these babies are a little on the pricey side. Still, they’re durable, almost indestructible, and gorgeous. There’s a reason they’ve been around for decades!

Break-proof Drinks

Pitchers

There are so many great options out there for break-proof pitchers. As with dishes, I highly recommend looking for something lightweight and easy to clean. Since you (or your guests) will be pouring from a potentially heavy pitcher, it’s also a good idea to find something that feels comfortable in your hands and easy to grip.

One option is metal pitchers. There’s a reason restaurants everywhere use these work horses: they’re inexpensive, durable, easy to clean, and almost impossible to destroy! While some options can look almost institutional or clinical, there are some really beautiful options on the market as well.

Another readily-available option is acrylic. From simple, plain clear designs to more elegant pitchers like this, there are dozens of possibilities to choose from. In addition to being fairly lightweight and durable, most are also dishwasher safe, making cleanup a snap!

Drinkware

Drinks may be one of the most challenging things to navigate if you have any sort of weakness, tremor, pain, or limb difference. Even in my good stretches when weakness is less of an issue, my husband often jokes that I need an “adult sippy cup,” because of how frequently I spill my drinks!

The reality is that cups are just hard to hold onto sometimes. If you’re in the market for accessible drinkware, here are a few things you might want to consider:

• Choose an option that’s difficult to break, such as these silicone glasses shown here. That minimizes the risk of injury, as well as making the drinker feel a little more at ease.
• Choose an option that’s not difficult to balance. While stemware is elegant, it can be very easy to topple. If you’d like the general look of a wine glass without the potential for spilling, consider glasses with a shorter stem, such as the two above.
• Consider the weight and circumference. While drinks don’t tend to be as heavy as food-laden plates, a heavy glass can still pose a challenge, especially when full. Similarly, very wide, round glasses can be difficult to grip. Choose something that fits comfortably in the hand without too much unnecessary weight.
• As always, I recommend keeping budget, ease of cleaning, and style in mind. You might as well love what you’re going to be using every day!

Another great option, and the one I’ve chosen to use myself, is metal tumblers. With their air-tight lids, these are practically the adult equivalent of sippy cups, without compromising my dignity (see above!). They often come in sets, making them affordable (mine were courtesy of Costco, and come in four different colors so guests can tell their drink apart at a glance). Just like the other options, they’re lightweight, easy to clean, and almost impossible to break. And they’re usually very affordable.

If you’re looking for everyday glasses that can hold up over the long-haul, it’s hard to beat acrylic. They’re inexpensive, come in dozens of styles, and can hold up to use and abuse. They’re also easy to clean and usually dishwasher-safe, making them a great option that could save you precious energy on clean-up!

What are your thoughts on break-proof dishes? What are your go-to options, or what do you hope to add to your kitchen?

Happy entertaining!