The Best Disposable Soup Bowls

Buying Guide

Soup can be the perfect food. All you need is a spoon, a bowl and a microwave, and you can make a delicious meal that combines meat, vegetables and the essential nutrients you need to get you through the day.

But it’s a meal that isn’t always easy to eat. If you’re having lunch on the go, for instance, you can’t just grab it and take it in the car unless you want to slurp it from a cup. You can pack it up in a container for lunch at work, but then you’ll worry about leakage and keeping it hot. There’s always the option of bringing lunchbox-friendly bowls and spoons with you, but that also adds an extra layer of work. You have to clean them, store them, and remember to bring them when you need them.

That’s where disposable utensils and dinnerware come in. You may want to avoid regular paper bowls, because soup can challenge even the best-built ones, unless you plan to eat very quickly. For soup, you need a strong disposable bowl that can hold full servings of hot, liquid deliciousness.

Although plastic is often preferred to paper for use with food due to its sturdier build, concerns about leaching have made people wary of using it. That’s because, when heated to warmer temperatures, plastic can give off toxic chemicals that can transfer to the food you’re ingesting.

The good news is, it’s not all or nothing when it comes to the paper versus plastic soup bowl debate. In response to concerns about plastic, manufacturers have come out with disposable paper bowls that resist leaks even when weighed down with your heaviest meat soup. These bowls will feature a thicker build and may have alternative fibrous materials that not only strengthen them, but are also more eco-friendly. Look for materials that are both biodegradable and sustainably sourced for an environmentally conscious alternative to traditional paper plates and bowls.

These materials include sugarcane bagasse, which is made by crushing sugarcane stalks and removing the juice to turn it into various types of consumer products. It’s more responsibly sourced than traditional materials and has the added benefit of being biodegradable. Best of all, it’s a sturdier material that capably handles heavy liquids.

Wheatstraw is another popular material currently being used to make soup bowls. With this process, wheat that’s left over after harvests is used to make paper to cut down on tree destruction. Wheat straw is also biodegradable for a natural, eco-friendly option.

One of the best things about plastic soup bowls is that they can be washed and reused. Traditional paper bowls don’t offer that option, but some materials like sugarcane bagasse and wheatstraw will hold up if you want to rinse and reuse.

• Soup is often microwaved. If you like to pour your soup in the bowl before heating it, make sure to look for disposable bowls that are microwave-safe.
• Some types of paper soak up liquid-heavy foods like soup. You’ll need to find a disposable bowl made from paper that doesn’t absorb moisture. This will keep your soup container from turning soggy halfway through your meal.
• Disposable bowls are often sold in various quantities. Make sure you have somewhere to store your paper bowls if you buy a large set.
• Look for a bowl that has a rim that will give you something to grab, especially if your soup will heat up the material. However, be careful grasping the rim if you’re enjoying a heavier food like soup that might slosh out over the edge.
• You may want disposal bowls for parties and picnics. After all, one large pot of soup or chili can go a long way in feeding a small group Disposable bowls keep things simple, especially if your gathering is being held outdoors, and reduce clean-up time.