Hooray for Hefty Serve 'n Store!
Written: Jun 01 '05 (Updated Jun 03 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: GREAT product, does everything it says it will do, very inexpensive
Cons: not water-tight
The Bottom Line: This is a terrific product that I recommend to ANYONE who likes leftovers.
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| Candice923's Full Review: Hefty Serve 'n Store Everyday Disposable Tableware |
I really enjoy cooking. Since my husband works from 4pm until midnight, I cook big lunches, then wrap them up in containers so that he can take them to work. I have these tiny containers, so Craig has to dump the food out onto a plate and reheat it on the plate in the microwave. He then brings the container home for me to wash.
I really enjoy eating at my grandmother's and mother's houses. They always give me something to bring home, usually in a dish that I have to clean and return.
Whenever I cook, I cook enough for two meals so that I don't have to worry about cooking the next day. I place the separate bowls and containers in the refrigerator, most of which have foil for "lids." When I want to reheat them, I have to place them on a new plate and stick them in the microwave. I have at least 2 dishes to clean afterwards.
Enter Hefty Serve 'n Store Everyday Disposable Tableware.
I received my Hefty Serve 'n Store Everyday Disposable Tableware in the mail yesterday. I was surprised, as I didn't even remember signing up to take part in this pre-launch event. Needless to say, I was thrilled. This item couldn't have arrived at a better time, too. Craig and I were going to Grandma's for dinner. She always sends us home with food. It was a perfect way to put the Serve 'n Store to the test.
PACKAGING
Both the Serve 'n Store bowls and plates are wrapped in plastic with a thin, cardboard base. The base has the Hefty logo and instructions on how to use them. You will get 24 plates in a pack or 20 bowls in a pack. It's a nice amount that will handle several meals.
There are no extras when it comes to this packaging. It is very basic, which makes me happy. I feel as though money spent on this product went into making the actual product, not the fancy packaging. They can even cut back more on packaging costs by eliminating the cardboard base altogether. They can use some sort of cardboard belt over the center of the plates, or even insert a cardboard or paper info sheet inside the plastic, in the center of the plate or bowl. That would cause less waste, too.
APPEARANCE
Hefty Serve 'n Store comes in a couple of varieties. The every day tableware is white, while the partyware is red and blue. There are dinner plates, bowls and lunch plates. Truth be told, they don't look too different from disposable plastic plates. There are two differences: matte finish instead of glossy, and larger ridges around the edges. These ridges are so that the plates can lock together, which is why they are so different from other plates. However, they are attractive.
USE
I must tell you, Hefty Serve 'n Store is my new favorite product. Truly. I have used the two packs that I received to test already, and I need to go to the store to get more. I'm addicted. Honest.
The first test that I did on these plates was Craig's idea. He wanted to see if the lids were water tight, like Tupperware and other containers are. So, we put 1/4 a cup of water in a bowl, clipped on another bowl, and turned it on its side. It leaked, but not much. Okay, so it's not water tight. How would it handle heavy food?
Since we were having dinner at Grandma's house, we knew that we were going to take a lot of food home. Gramma had made some pasta, and Craig was working a double the next day. So, I filled a bowl with pasta, sauce, and three meatballs. (Hey, Dionne, you miss those at all?) Instead of clipping on a bowl as a lid, I used a plate. They're interchangeable!
Now, this container was heavy. We put it in a bag and placed it in the trunk for the drive home. Every time we hit a pothole, I panicked. Was our trunk doomed to be doused with marinara sauce?
When we got home, I practically dove out of the car to check the trunk. Guess what? Hefty Serve 'n Store held together. No leaks, no spills, nothing. Everything was still inside. I opened the container, and the contents hadn't even sloshed around. Color me impressed.
The container fits on any shelf in the fridge, and is strong enough to stack items on. It isn't designed to be a small container, so you won't hear me complaining about the size. You reheat the items exactly how you stored them. For example, we recently had a BBQ. Again, Craig had to work a couble the next day, so I fixed him a plate with one of the lids. The plate contained a hamburger, some BBQ beans and half of a corn on the cob. All he had to do was remove the lid (or poke holes in the top) and stick it in the microwave to reheat.
NOTHING happens to the plate when it is in the microwave. It doesn't bend or melt. It doesn't smell bad. It doesn't transfer a plastic taste to the food. It just works. Plus, the plates don't stain. I know that you're supposed to throw them out after one use, but I wanted to see what would happen, so I cleaned it by hand. No stains. The plates looked brand new.
Everything that we have reheated using Hefty Serve 'n Store came out perfectly. From pasta to fajitas, everything is cooked thoroughly and remains in place from storing to serving. I love this product!!!
PRICE
I nearly fell over when I found out that the price is just $2.69 per pack for these plates and bowls That is SUCH a great deal!! There is absolutely NO reason that you shouldn't rush out to the grocery store and buy it. Period.
IN CONCLUSION
Hefty Serve 'n Store is not only a great idea, it's an idea that actually works. It was followed through perfectly from idea to product release. I have a feeling that Hefty Serve 'n Store is going to do very well, and you will see a lot of copycat products on the market very soon. I highly recommend this product to anyone and everyone.
Disclaimer: I received a package of both the Hefty plates and bowls from Hass MS&L for my unbiased review.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Candice923
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 - Top 500 |
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Location: Middle Island, NY
Reviews written: 705
Trusted by: 200 members
About Me:
The twins have arrived - 3/14/08
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