Outdoor entertaining can be a fun and relaxing way to host family and friends during warmer months. However, transporting food, drinks, and dinnerware from your indoor kitchen to the patio or backyard without spills or messes can really dampen the party mood.
That’s where outdoor serving trays come in . These handy trays allow you to neatly organize and easily carry everything you need for alfresco dining. With the right outdoor serving tray with helpful features like waterproofing, attached lids, and smooth mobility, outdoor entertaining truly becomes a breeze.
Choosing the Best Outdoor Serving Tray
An outdoor serving tray needs to check a few important boxes to be up for the job. As they’ll be exposed to elements like sun, wind, and rain, weather resistance is a must . Materials like aluminum, stainless steel, plastic, and teak wood can all hold up well outside over time. You’ll also want something durable enough not to bend, break, or warp .
Spillproof edges are also useful for keeping juices, drips, or sprays contained. Some trays designed for outdoor use have a lip or groove to catch liquid before it runs off the sides. Insulated trays will have a plastic or stainless steel liner so hot or cold food stays at optimal temperature during transport or serving.
Mobility Features
Being able to easily move a loaded tray is crucial for outdoor entertaining success. Built-in handles on the sides offer a sturdy grip, while wheels allow you to smoothly roll a heavy tray across the lawn or deck. For lighter trays, some have cutout handles that let you securely grip with one hand. If choosing a handled tray, ensure handles seem study and screwed in place rather than flimsy.
Helpful Add-Ons
Bonus features like attached lids help transform an outdoor serving tray into the ultimate transporting tool. Clip-on lid options snap or slide securely to the tray base to cover food and prevent spilling en route. Some even have locking clips to firmly keep lids in place if traveling down steps or over bumps.
Built-in compartments are another useful add-on, keeping foods separated or organized. Dividers allow you to carry dips, appetizers, utensils and dinnerware all in one tray without items sliding together into a mushy mess.
Material Spotlight: Best Options
Outdoor serving trays come in a range of different materials. Which is best comes down to factors like weather conditions in your area, frequency of use, and personal preferences around looks and price points.
Polypropylene Plastic Trays
Polypropylene plastic is affordable, very durable outdoors, and easy to clean. Available in appetizer platter sizes as well as bigger trays for carrying main dishes, these lightweight trays let you transport hefty servings without trouble. They also come in fun colors to coordinate with patio decor or tableware.
Sleek Stainless Steel Trays
For polished high-end style, stainless steel outdoor trays hit the sophisticated entertaining mark. Brushed steel finishes hide fingerprints and watermarks well over time outside, staying shiny after years of use. Steel also keeps foods toasty warm thanks to its heat conductive abilities.
Wood Trays With Rustic Charm
If aiming for natural farmhouse flair, quality wood serving trays lend rustic visual appeal along with durability. Teak is the best option as its weather-resistant properties prevent swelling and cracking outdoors. But avoid raw, unfinished woods which will warp and deteriorate when wet.
Serving Tray Shapes & Styles
Beyond the standard rectangular platter shape, outdoor serving trays come in interestingly unique silhouettes. Before choosing a style, consider what you’ll use your tray for most.
Oval and Round Platters
For serving appetizers or small dishes at parties, oval and round trays provide a classy presentation. Place them on side tables or mount them on decorative plant stands to act as self-serve stations.
Beverage Totes
Tall slim trays designed exclusively for ferrying drinks make it easy to be your guest’s personal bartender outside. Inserted holes allow you to neatly carry wine glasses or cocktail glasses while included dividers hold bottles and bar accessories upright.
Tiered Serving Trays
Multi-layer stacked trays let you carry an entire outdoor meal or desert spread out in one journey. Upper levels are perfect for holding dinner plates, cutlery sets wrapped with napkins, or individual dips and garnishes.
Lidded Trays
As referenced earlier, outdoor serving trays with attached lids keep your hard work protected during transit or on display. Flip back covers offer easy access to foods but secure tightly when closed to give you spill-free transportation.
Completing Your Outdoor Serving Set
Once you have your durable outdoor serving tray selected, consider what accessories can help complete your outdoor dining setup for full patio entertaining success.
Serving Needs
Include serving utensils sturdy enough for outdoor use year after year. Acacia wood and thick plastic make great picks. Ensure tongs, ladles, and forks feature elongated handles so reaching deep or awkward trays is comfortable.
Outdoor Dinnerware
Invest in a set of plates, bowls, cups and cutlery made of melamine, bamboo fiber or thick plastic that resembles glass and ceramic but is ultra durable outside. Easy patterns hide staining while colors complement patio furnishings.
Supplementary Containers
Have a stash of smaller lidded bins on hand to supplement your main serving tray. Use them to carry extra sauces, dressings, lemon wedges and other on-the-fly condiment needs back and forth from indoors.
Using Your Outdoor Serving Tray
Transporting Tips
When hauling your loaded down tray outside, keep these tips in mind for stress-free carrying:
- – Distribute heavier items like plates and bottles toward the center rather than outer edges where grabbing hands support underneath
- – Adjust lid clips and latches to lock covers in place so they don’t fly open
- – If needed, make two trips instead of overloading yourself with one dangerously heavy tray
Keeping Foods Fresh
Once setup outdoors, use your serving tray lid to keep foods protected between meal courses. Flip it upright and open while actively laying out dishes. Then lower the lid back down when running inside to refresh empty platters or prep the next items.
Easy Storage
Designate an outdoor cabinet or shelving area to neatly tuck away serving trays after each use. Ensure the storage spot keeps trays covered and clean until next entertaining occasion. Before putting trays away, give them a quick hand wash or wipe down.
Our Top Outdoor Serving Tray Picks
Homiro Plastic Serving Tray
Made of BPA-free plastic, Homiro’s white serving tray comes with 3 spillproof insert bowls perfect for dips and sides. The built-in handles make carrying easy and a waterproof lid with rubber gasket ensures leakproof sealing.
Cuisinart Stainless Steel Tray
For sleek style, the Cuisinart stainless steel serving tray has it all – including heatproof handles, nesting stacking design and a polyethylene lid that locks tight. Carry tapas, fruit, cheeses and more without mess.
Lipper International Bamboo Tray
Crafted of durable bamboo, Lipper International’s 3-piece rattan serving tray set brings gorgeous natural texture to outdoor dining tables. Waterproof and weather resistant construction ensures longevity.
At the end of the day, any quality serving tray suited for outdoor use that safely transports foods from A to B without tipping or spilling can be considered a success. Focus first on durability against elements like heat, rain and UV rays. From there, added features like lids, insulation and compartments provide bonus convenience.
No matter your budget or aesthetic, there is an outdoor serving tray solution that will effortlessly help you host alfresco get-togethers and mealtimes this season and for many to come. With far less juggling of separate plates and bowls, outdoor entertaining becomes a true breeze!
