AmerCare cutlery is a great option for schools, hospitals, nursing homes, fast service or take-out restaurants, office break rooms, and more. AmerCare offers a wide variety of cutlery and cutlery kits. Having so many options can be great, but also overwhelming. By outlining the differences between cutlery options, we hope to make your decision easier. The main factors most people consider when purchasing disposable cutlery are: the weight/durability of the product, the material type, whether or not the product is wrapped, and the color. We look at each of these factors below in hopes of answering some commonly asked questions AmerCare receives. Durability and strength AmerCare cutlery comes in a range of weights, including medium weight, medium-heavy weight, and heavy weight. Forks, knives, and spoons are available in each weight. Medium weight cutlery is best for soft foods that do not require much effort to pierce or cut through. Medium weight cutlery is often more economical and are an easy way to save on cost. Medium-heavy weight cutlery offers a mid-grade strength. Medium-heavy weight items offer a compromise between cost savings and durability. Heavy weight cutlery is the most durable, and is the best option for tougher foods. It can handle foods that medium weight cutlery does not. This is the best option for most meats. Wrapped or unwrapped AmerCare single piece cutlery is available either wrapped in plastic or unwrapped. They each have their own benefits. Unwrapped cutlery is more cost effective than wrapped cutlery, and creates less waste. Less plastic goes to the landfill, and less time is spent cleaning up wrappers. Unwrapped utensils are best for environments where contamination is not a concern, and customers or staff can grab the cutlery they need. Wrapped cutlery offers more protection and a more sanitary option than cutlery without wrapping. When each fork, spoon, or knife comes wrapped in plastic, as few hands as possible touch the product itself. This makes for a cleaner dining experience for customers and guests. They are perfect for restaurants where customers are helping themselves to their own cutlery. Material options Disposble cutlery is often made from polypropylene or polystyrene. AmerCare offers both options for their cutlery. AmerCare polypropylene cuterly is available in medium, medium-heavy, and heavy weights. AmerCare polystyrene cutlery is available in medium-heavy and heavy weights. The material of each utensil or kit is indicated in the bullet points above. Polypropylene and polystyrene are both thermoplastic polymers. They can both be dyed different colors, and are both often referred to as just "plastic" by consumers. The two materials share similarities, but there are some differences: Polypropylene: is rugged and does not break easily can withstand extreme temperatures (melts at approximately 320 degrees Fahrenheit) softer and more flexible than polystyrene, less likely to break great for general purpose Polystyrene: harder, denser and more brittle than polypropylene has a melting point of 212 degrees Fahrenheit often more economical not as flexible as polypropylene forks and knives made from polystyrene have finer and sharper points, making it easier to pierce foods Color options Now that the more technical factors have been addressed, all that's left is to choose your preferred color! Most AmerCare cutlery options are available in black and white. There is no difference between the colors choices in terms of weight, durability or strength; they differ in appearance only. Some cutlery comes in a "champagne" color. "Champagne" is similar to beige in color. Although they are dyed, they offer a more natural appearance than black or white cutlery.
