Why do most restaurants and public eateries use ceramic instead of stainless steel plates?

[SpyderEdgeForever]

I can understand why wood is not used: Wood can splinter and is not as sanitary to clean. But stainless steel is low cost enough and can be sanitized, and, is more durable than ceramics when it comes to the danger of breaking and shattering. Why not stainless steel cups and saucers and plates and bowls like the military uses? Plastic is out because except for certain plastics, there is the issue of food and drink being effected by the taste. Perhaps its the fear of metallic taste in foods?

This sounds odd, I know, from someone who is a big advocate for ceramic knives eventually nearly replacing steel.

[jpm2]

looks, presentation, scratch resistance, inert-ness, etc

[The Meat man]

Ceramic might be easier to clean?

^^Looks and presentation probably have a lot to do with it.

[bearfacedkiller]

I assume the military uses stainless steel because it is durable and they don't care about looks. Ceramic can break but it should show less wear over time.

[Bloke]

https://youtu.be/HaAKH1Kaddo

[MichaelScott]

Because they remind me of eight years of mess decks and chow halls.

[Evil D]

Surely somewhere there is some hipster restaurant that serves their food on prison style food trays and probably charge you ridiculous amounts to do so.

[MichaelScott]

I’d check NYC, San Francisco, LA or Boulder.

[Sjucaveman]

Because NSF approved stainless is expensive.

[Peter1960]

... because they have residual amount of food culture.

[Doc Dan]

Ceramics are better for being food safe. They stand up in a hot industrial dishwasher and are cheaper than stainless steel. They also do not impart a metallic taste to food like steel will do. Added to that is the cost factor as well as the presentation factor. Ceramic is cheaper and it does not show scratches as much as steel will do.

[OldHoosier62]

Also, food on typical stainless plates would get cold faster. Ceramic plates retain heat where stainless ones disapate it. Coffee in a single ply stainless cup is cold long before coffee in a ceramic cup.

[Chef_Pappa]

Stainless steel plates would get very hot sitting in the window under heat lamps

[Mad Mac]

How would they microwave your dinner?

[Mad Mac]

On the other hand, stainless steel dog bowls are supposedly the best for your pet.