Paper Picks: The Best Of Paper Plates Slideshow

Chinet won best performer in the microwave performance test, holding integrity and strength despite food moisture. 

Test Stipulations:

To test microwave performance, we filled each plate with a slice of pizza and half a can of baked beans. Plates were then placed on top of a paper towel in the microwave, and heated for two minutes. Plates were assessed for temperature, shape, moisture on the plate, and moisture that seeped through onto the towel, and if the plate had degraded.

Dixie was the runner-up in the microwave performance test, affected less by moisture than Chinet, however slightly compromising strength. 

Test Stipulations:

To test microwave performance, we filled each plate with a slice of pizza and half a can of baked beans. Plates were then placed on top of a paper towel in the microwave, and heated for two minutes. Plates were assessed for temperature, shape, moisture on the plate, and moisture that seeped through onto the towel, and if the plate had degraded.

Hefty, together with both store brand varieties, lost the microwave performance test, as the styrofoam was unable to withstand the microwave's heat.

Test Stipulations:

To test microwave performance, we filled each plate with a slice of pizza and half a can of baked beans. Plates were then placed on top of a paper towel in the microwave, and heated for two minutes. Plates were assessed for temperature, shape, moisture on the plate, and moisture that seeped through onto the towel, and if the plate had degraded.

Solo faired middle of the road in this test, affected by grease and moisture, however faring better than Hefty and both store brands. 

Test Stipulations:

To test microwave performance, we filled each plate with a slice of pizza and half a can of baked beans. Plates were then placed on top of a paper towel in the microwave, and heated for two minutes. Plates were assessed for temperature, shape, moisture on the plate, and moisture that seeped through onto the towel, and if the plate had degraded.

This store brand variety was ranked as a worst performer in the microwave performance test. The plate was heavily affected by grease and moisture and the plate folded into a taco shape after being in the microwave for just two minutes. 

Test Stipulations:

To test microwave performance, we filled each plate with a slice of pizza and half a can of baked beans. Plates were then placed on top of a paper towel in the microwave, and heated for two minutes. Plates were assessed for temperature, shape, moisture on the plate, and moisture that seeped through onto the towel, and if the plate had degraded.

This plate was soaked with grease after the microwave test, fairing as one of the worst performers. 

Test Stipulations:

To test microwave performance, we filled each plate with a slice of pizza and half a can of baked beans. Plates were then placed on top of a paper towel in the microwave, and heated for two minutes. Plates were assessed for temperature, shape, moisture on the plate, and moisture that seeped through onto the towel, and if the plate had degraded.

Chinet ranked in the middle category for the strength test, behind Solo and Dixie. 

Test Stipulations:

In the strength test, plates were held with one hand, while a steady stream of water was poured into the middle of the plate. Each was timed for how long it took for the water to seep off the edge and the plate to warp or bend.

Dixie earned second place in the strength test, beating out Chinet, Hefty, and both store brands.

Test Stipulations:

In the strength test, plates were held with one hand, while a steady stream of water was poured into the middle of the plate. Each was timed for how long it took for the water to seep off the edge and the plate to warp or bend.

Hefty ranked as the worst performer in the strength test, cracking after just 5.4 seconds. 

Test Stipulations:

In the strength test, plates were held with one hand, while a steady stream of water was poured into the middle of the plate. Each was timed for how long it took for the water to seep off the edge and the plate to warp or bend.

Solo won the best performing paper plate for the strength test, beating out all 5 other varieties.

Test Stipulations:

In the strength test, plates were held with one hand, while a steady stream of water was poured into the middle of the plate. Each was timed for how long it took for the water to seep off the edge and the plate to warp or bend.

The decorated store withheld water for 14 seconds, double its store brand white partner.

Test Stipulations:

In the strength test, plates were held with one hand, while a steady stream of water was poured into the middle of the plate. Each was timed for how long it took for the water to seep off the edge and the plate to warp or bend.

The store brand white variety fared second worst in this category, lasting only 7 seconds. 

Test Stipulations:

In the strength test, plates were held with one hand, while a steady stream of water was poured into the middle of the plate. Each was timed for how long it took for the water to seep off the edge and the plate to warp or bend.

Chinet faired poorly in the soak-through resistance test, ranking as a worst performer. 

Test Stipulations:

To test soak-through resistance, each plate was placed on top of a paper towel, after which 1/4 cup of oil and 1/4 cup of water were poured onto each plate's surface. We let these plates sit for one hour, after which they were assessed for oil and water seepage onto the towels below the plate.

Dixie ranked among the winners for soak-through resistance, alongside Hefty.

Test Stipulations:

To test soak-through resistance, each plate was placed on top of a paper towel, after which 1/4 cup of oil and 1/4 cup of water were poured onto each plate's surface. We let these plates sit for one hour, after which they were assessed for oil and water seepage onto the towels below the plate.

Hefty ranked among the winners for soak-through resistance, alongside Dixie.

Test Stipulations:

To test soak-through resistance, each plate was placed on top of a paper towel, after which 1/4 cup of oil and 1/4 cup of water were poured onto each plate's surface. We let these plates sit for one hour, after which they were assessed for oil and water seepage onto the towels below the plate.

Solo faired middle of the road in soak-through resistance, not the best performer, but definitely not the worst. 

Test Stipulations:

To test soak-through resistance, each plate was placed on top of a paper towel, after which 1/4 cup of oil and 1/4 cup of water were poured onto each plate's surface. We let these plates sit for one hour, after which they were assessed for oil and water seepage onto the towels below the plate.

The store brand plates, both decorated and white, faired poorly in the soak-through resistance test, ranking as a worst performer. 

Test Stipulations:

To test soak-through resistance, each plate was placed on top of a paper towel, after which 1/4 cup of oil and 1/4 cup of water were poured onto each plate's surface. We let these plates sit for one hour, after which they were assessed for oil and water seepage onto the towels below the plate.

The store brand plates, both decorated and white, faired poorly in the soak-through resistance test, ranking as a worst performer. 

Test Stipulations:

To test soak-through resistance, each plate was placed on top of a paper towel, after which 1/4 cup of oil and 1/4 cup of water were poured onto each plate's surface. We let these plates sit for one hour, after which they were assessed for oil and water seepage onto the towels below the plate.