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AIBU?

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Original poster

To not heat my dinner plate?

236 replies

Jaggy1 · 13/06/2025 20:27

Just a silly one really..

My MIL has been coming to us once a week for a little while now. Every single time we have dinner whether we serve up or she does, even if we get a takeaway she always asks if I want my plate heated? Either with boiling water or in the oven if it’s being used. I just think it’s strange as I’d never do that on a random Tuesday night dinner or anything but she does it all the time 🤣
Also weird that DH never asks or cares for his plate heated any other time but he’ll always have it when she’s here.

Is this a thing? Am I the strange one 🤣
YABU- you religiously heat your plate
YANBU- never heat your plate

OP posts:
WorkingNotTwerking · 13/06/2025 20:43

We got a smaller microwave recently so I can't use it to warm the plates as they don't fit.

Lonelydave · 13/06/2025 20:43

fost · 13/06/2025 20:28

i never heat plates, but my dad is rather obsessed with it, so when my parents visit, I do.

mu mum does the same, I'm staying with her at the moment, (long and complicated sub thread at some stage!), but plate always heated, only evening meal though, and sometimes I'm partial to some nice cooked brekkie... never a warm plate then.....
I reckon it's an age thing.

Picklechicken · 13/06/2025 20:42

I’ve worked in restaurant management for 20 years and I think as a side effect of that I can’t imagine anything worse than a cold plate 😳 - the food would go cold so quickly, surely? I just bung the plates in the microwave for a short blast before serving.

Itiswhysofew · 13/06/2025 20:42

Can't stand hot plates. DP likes them as does DM.

bringbackthespira · 13/06/2025 20:41

The day I bought my electric plate warmer (£14.99 Aldi)…….i genuinely thought I had my shit together.
I feel quite boujee serving food on hot plates

Needspaceforlego · 13/06/2025 20:40

Another reason why i hate inviting the in-laws round. Both fussy eaters (and they have the cheek to comment on the kids) and they moan if the plates are cold.

My family never cook the plates

ScottBakula · 13/06/2025 20:40

Yep I heat my plates so did my parents.
If I am using my grill ( eye level) and making a brew I put my cup on top of the grill to warm up .

Cornishpotato · 13/06/2025 20:40

Absolutely always heat the plate.

A cold plate takes heat from the food and so you are eating what should be a hot meal cold and unappetising by the end.

It really makes a difference, try it...

I warm them in the microwave. If it's more than one just stagger them slightly to allow the heating to penetrate. A minute or two is all it takes.

I worked in a restaurant as a teenager and plates were kept in a hot cupboard and we would never use a cold plate for hot food.

We did it at home as a kid too, those old fashioned cookers with the overhanging grill were perfect for warming plates above the pans.

WorkingNotTwerking · 13/06/2025 20:39

I don't do it religiously but definitely most of the time. Once in a while I can't be bothered. I just use the lowest setting in the oven for a few minutes.

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 13/06/2025 20:39

I always warm the plates unless I'm serving salad or a similar cold side dish

DurinsBane · 13/06/2025 20:38

Jaggy1 · 13/06/2025 20:27

Just a silly one really..

My MIL has been coming to us once a week for a little while now. Every single time we have dinner whether we serve up or she does, even if we get a takeaway she always asks if I want my plate heated? Either with boiling water or in the oven if it’s being used. I just think it’s strange as I’d never do that on a random Tuesday night dinner or anything but she does it all the time 🤣
Also weird that DH never asks or cares for his plate heated any other time but he’ll always have it when she’s here.

Is this a thing? Am I the strange one 🤣
YABU- you religiously heat your plate
YANBU- never heat your plate

My dad (late 60s) does, I think it is a generational thing

BlueyNeedsToFuckOff · 13/06/2025 20:36

I never bother, my mother generally does.

I’ve never noticed a difference in the way the food tastes. I’m also confused as to why people think not heating plates makes the food go cold - I’ve never found that (and I hate food that’s cold when it’s not meant to be)

PashaMinaMio · 13/06/2025 20:35

I always heat plates.
Mum does it, I do it, my daughter does it.
I hate being anywhere to eat that serves up on a cold plate. A warmed plate keeps food hot for longer. Seems totally sensible to me.

shellyleppard · 13/06/2025 20:34

I put my plates in the oven if its on, but don't bother otherwise. My dad warms his up in the microwave 🤣

Original poster
Jaggy1 · 13/06/2025 20:34

Borris · 13/06/2025 20:33

My parents do too. I can’t stand it. Nothing worse than being hungry and then the food is too hot to eat

This is my thoughts too! Often we eat a takeaway in front of the tv n she needs a dish towel to hold it with 🤣

OP posts:
Zanatdy · 13/06/2025 20:33

Its an age thing. My mum always heats the plates. I see little point. So my mum gets a cold plate when she comes to stay at mine. I’d end up burned.

Borris · 13/06/2025 20:33

My parents do too. I can’t stand it. Nothing worse than being hungry and then the food is too hot to eat

YellowGrey · 13/06/2025 20:33

We never heat plates but my parents sometimes do and my great aunt always used to!

FatBottomGirlz · 13/06/2025 20:33

It’s about how long it takes to eat the food. Older folk take longer to eat for various reasons ( teeth / digestion) and heated plates keep the food warm.
I say this as someone who started heating plates after age 45-

Hadalifeonce · 13/06/2025 20:33

I always heat plates. Nothing worse than hot food put onto cold plates.

MissEloiseBridgerton · 13/06/2025 20:32

I rarely bother, except the depths on north Scotland winter when the kitchen is cold and the plates are literal blocks of ice! I'll pop them in the microwave for 30 seconds off. My husband, and parents will always do it. Parents in law never!

JuvenileBigfoot · 13/06/2025 20:32

My nan does it. My mum (66) does

Georgie8 · 13/06/2025 20:32

Always put plates and serving dishes in the warming drawer, otherwise the food gets cold quickly.

Original poster
Jaggy1 · 13/06/2025 20:32

Butchyrestingface · 13/06/2025 20:29

Do you let her do it though?

Does the food taste nicer/hotter/posher for it?

She can do whatever she likes with hers but I just say not to bother with mine I’m not that fancy 🤣

Can’t speak on the taste difference!

OP posts:
DumbbellIdiot · 13/06/2025 20:31

My MIL is obsessed with heating plates. Nothing cooler than volcanic will do for her. Last Xmas she offered to heat the plates at her house and bring them to us as mine were clearly not hot enough for her last Xmas. Utterly batshit idea.