Rubbermaid Party Platter: easy way to take veggies and dip to your next social

About.com Rating

I've had various types of veggie platters over the years but none turned out to be ideal when it comes to transporting, without having to add food wrap or inserting it in a bag to contain any spills. Some did not include a lid or a sealed container for dip or I couldn't trust that the lid would stay on properly. Others were too limiting in size, design or height.

At first glance, the Rubbermaid Party Platter seems to meet all my must-haves, so I took it for a test run.

My full evaluation follows below.

Product description:

Rubbermaid Party Platter 1W88

4 Pc design: platter base, lid, dip bowl and lid
Removable, leak-free Twist & Seal™ dip container
Divided platter keeps different foods and snacks separated
Outer lid snaps onto platter base for a tight seal
All components are BPA-free
Microwave, dishwasher, and freezer safe
Dimensions: 14.44" x 10.63" x 3.81"
Capacity: Platter: 2.3 L | 9.6 cups; dip container: 473 mL | 2.0 cups
Made in the U.S.A.
Learn more from the manufacturer
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How the Party Platter performed:

One of my biggest gripes when it comes to veggie platters is size and unfortunately, there really is no one-size-suits-all. Unless you have a lot of space and can keep a small one and a larger model on hand to meet different entertaining needs, a medium size platter like this Rubbermaid model is just more convenient. This platter will appeal to most because of its overall (9.6 cups) size.

The shape of a platter can make it difficult to store, but this one has a nice design.

With its oblong shape, it's easy to store on a refrigerator shelf and because it has a secure lid, you can place something else on top of it if you like. There are times when two of these would be ideal to provide different kinds of snacks when hosting.

The dip bowl looks small but does hold two cups of dip, has a grid-design that makes it easy to hold onto while you secure the lid or take it off. It nests in the center space of the platter and there are four compartments for veggies or snacks. I love the domed lid - you can pile the snacks if you like.

The platter lid fits reasonably snug and secure, but I didn't always hear it snap in place as I expected. That said, there were no leaks detected during testing. Because the dividers go only half way up, one veggie could easily merge into the next space, so it's a good idea to keep it reasonably level when transporting. Note that if you flip it, contents will likely mix with the exception of the lidded dip.

Now about durability. Components are plastic and the platter and lid seems sturdy enough for its intended use. The dip bowl is made of softer plastics, which actually makes it easier to hold onto, but it might need more care. I would handwash this whole set, or at least the dip bowl and lid. And if you want to clean it in the dishwasher, use the top rack only, since water temperatures can vary.

Overall, I really like this Party Platter. It's functional, nicely sized and completely closes keeping dip secure and onboard. It's also easy to store. Offering good value for the price, it's practical and you'll find it very convenient to serve with or take with you to a social. It's also a nice gift idea for less than $20.