<p>fendergirl - it’s not just age. I don’t worry about buying things from China either. I will go out of my way to buy things made in the USA but not because I worry about safety. A lot of people have old dinnerware, even made in the USA, with glazes that have lead paint in them and they continue to use them not thinking about the hazard, but are afraid to buy newer products that may be safer. Flea markets are full of dinnerware with lead glazes and dinnerware imported from Italy is as likely to have it as the products from China. The old Fiestaware is a good example of the use of glazes with lead and other heavy metals. White dinnerware is generally safer than colorfully glazed dinnerware - the more bright colors, the more risk. If there is a concern, do not store food in dinnerware because if there is lead, that is when it will leach out.</p>
<p>Thanks–I’ll try Target again. I guess I was looking in the wrong area.</p>
<p>I say go for glass. Not a good idea to microwave any food in any plastic. Really.</p>
<p>
Only if it’s made for microwaves or otherwise heat-resistant; not all glass can take heat. And it’s not exactly unbreakable! :)</p>
<p>I’ve heard other people express concerns about what might get into the food from the plastic when it’s heated. I don’t know how worried to be about that. I did buy him a ceramic mug for making tea due to that possible issue. It’s not unbreakable, but probably wouldn’t shatter into thousands of sharp pieces. I also got him some paper plates and bowls. It’s hard to tell what he’ll really use.</p>
<p>I found some cheap pottery mugs in school colors at Kmart, but they got so hot in the microwave that I didn’t send them off to the dorm. The stamp on the bottom of the mug even warns of getting hot in the microwave; they were so cheap, I thought I’d give them a try. In the end, I was afraid of burns and breakage. Just checked and they, too, are made in China. Are we concluding these may not be safe to use period?</p>
<p>I would buy a couple of Pyrex pieces - maybe a covered bowl and a measuring cup, that he could put in the microwave and then transfer the food to plastic plates and bowls for serving. I think the heat in the food will be dispersed better that way (stirred up a bit before putting on plates) so he will have less chance of burning his mouth or self, and you won’t have to worry about plastic leaching into food, or plastic melting.
I cook oatmeal in a large pyrex measuring cup in the microwave, as well as scrambled eggs if I’m in a hurry. Hot water can be heated in one and then poured into cups for hot chocolate or tea. It means washing an extra dish, but worth it for safety, I think.</p>
<p>I have to say, I’d be wary of anything made in China these days. I agree a pyrex measuring cup is useful both for cooking and measuring. Otherwise stoneware might be the way to go. If they break they break. Your kid can replace them.</p>
<p>Same issue. Lots of cheap dishes you don’t have to worry about breaking, none say microwave safe. Anyone ever used Nordic Ware?</p>
<p>[Amazon.com:</a> Nordic Ware Microwave 3 Piece Dinnerware Set: Kitchen & Dining](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Nordic-Ware-Microwave-Piece-Dinnerware/dp/B003CFBRTS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373929081&sr=8-1&keywords=nordic+ware+microwave+set+3+piece]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Nordic-Ware-Microwave-Piece-Dinnerware/dp/B003CFBRTS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373929081&sr=8-1&keywords=nordic+ware+microwave+set+3+piece)</p>
<p>^^We went the pyrex measuring/mixing bowl route - multi-use and takes up less cabinet space than separate pieces. Four roommates are going to fill up those cabinets fast.</p>
<p>I’ve used Corelle for over 40 years. Never broke one. I love them because they are light, microwavable and last forever.
When my kids had their apts, I gave them my old Corningware, Corelle and bought new ones for myself.</p>
<p>saw these in Target in an aisle near the small appliances [CorningWare</a> 22 Ounce Soup Mug Pop-Ins : Target](<a href=“http://www.target.com/p/corningware-22-ounce-soup-mug-pop-ins/-/A-13423082#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=corningware]CorningWare”>http://www.target.com/p/corningware-22-ounce-soup-mug-pop-ins/-/A-13423082#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=corningware)</p>
<p>I had corelle dishes in college. I dropped them several times on tile and wood floors and they never broke. I kept them in a big plastic tub on top of my microwave, on top of my fridge-- so above my head. They got knocked over all the time when I opened the microwave and the tub came crashing down. The rental we stay in every summer has always had correlle too, which I have also dropped probably a dozen times, and it’s never broken. To be honest I wasn’t aware correlle could break!</p>
<p>I like GlassLock but they’re not really dishes though you can eat out of them and they transport well. They’re also really easy to clean. They are all the rage at my office.</p>
<p>I’d go to the local Goodwill and pick up stuff. I never ever microwave in plastic even if it says you can.</p>
<p>Corelle doesn’t break that easily, but when it does, it really does break into a million little bits.</p>
<p>Besides what others have mentioned, Corelle has some other advantages. The dishes are compact when stacked so they can be stored in a small space. They are also a great fit in a dishwasher; you can get lots of dishes in one load. Amazon sells Corelle. I have never had one break into small pieces, but they do break - not easily, though. As someone mentioned, the mugs are not made in the US.</p>
<p>This thread is six years old. Lol</p>
<p>Corelle chips too. We have several with small chips. They are nice and light though.</p>
<p>Just did a Google search and Corelle has some really pretty sets.</p>
<p>26 years of Corelle dishes and have never had one break. (All original- never replaced.) Sent both kids with one of those corningware soup mugs. They use them all the time.</p>