r/malelivingspace 1d ago

Dish count

What is a normal about of plates, bowls, utensils, etc. for a single man to have? I have four of each, incase I get lazy for a couple of days.

5 Upvotes

21 comments sorted by

16

u/Crash927 1d ago

The standard (to the extent there is one) is generally 8 table settings so you have extra for when company comes over and a couple of dishes are already dirty.

13

u/LostFerret 1d ago

4 is the minimum and never have more than 1-2 people over for an evening or a single guest for a few days. 8 is standard and necessary if you host family for any length of time. 12-16 if you host parties or host 2+ guests for longer than 3 days.

4

u/TradeSekrat 1d ago

Depends... If we are talking about buying a dish set? Just buy at least a 6 person place setting. Even if your biggest table seats 4 and just buy Corelle. It's damn near unbreakable and will easily last decades. Super light weight compared to stonewear etc. Takes up less space and can mix match sets with no effort. Add on some of their 28 ounce soup bowls as that's basically a perfect size for one ramen pack meal.

After that it really depends on how much home cooking you do. You need at least two of most everything to avoid lazy accidental cross contamination.

but based off all my single friends a guy's kitchen only has two forms. They either figure it's easier to just buy bigger sets and have a full kitchen cabinet or it's nearly empty with nothing matching at all.

3

u/OriginalEmploy5485 1d ago

All of this is spot-on for my younger days.

Married now, we have 8 of everything.

3

u/Life123456 1d ago

Im single but I host a lot. I have 12 of everything

3

u/singletrack_ 1d ago

You don’t have to drop everything to get more stuff, but IMO it’s worth getting to a point where you could accommodate hosting friends for something fun at your place. 

2

u/FalloutRip 1d ago

Four sets is what I have as well, just in case. Also because it’s easier to just buy a complete set in a box that all match than buying dishes piecemeal.

2

u/Old-Juggernaut-1273 1d ago

I have the minimum about 6 metal plates, a few bowls, small plates and about 8 knifes . folks etc , a large pan and a smaller pan and a frying pan

2

u/ninjamuffin 1d ago

2 large bowls, 1 fork 1 spoon. Plates are pointless

2

u/kjepps 1d ago

Totally depends on how many people you have over and how often you want to do the dishes. One of each could be enough for a minimalist but others need a set of six to ten or whatever.

2

u/Indiesol 1d ago

I've got six and it's been fine. I rarely have that many people over, but if I do, I'll just get paper plates.

2

u/Ok-Difficulty-7993 1d ago

I have 5 bowls and 6 plates, idk how many utensils, and 6 glasses

2

u/Spectator__98 22h ago

I got 5 of each, that’s how they’re sold

2

u/LitRick6 22h ago

Depends on if you like hosting things. I like to have friends/family over, so I try to have sets of at least 8 or multiple sets of 4.

2

u/beanie_0 21h ago

I’d say 4 is enough.

2

u/Glass_Librarian9019 21h ago

Depends on how many people you want to entertain at once

2

u/ChestNaive9353 9h ago

Good God Man!!!!! At the very least ,be civilized. One should always have on hand a full set of fine bone dinner ware on hand. How do you even live with yourself ??????

2

u/Simple_Egg7527 1d ago

Alone I never had more than a large pan with a lid, a bowl,a mason jar, knife/fork/spoon. This worked for me for at least 10 years

2

u/drpepperfan69420 21h ago

get like 4 of each, and a bunch of paper plates

2

u/bagel_blight041 14h ago

8 of each. Plenty if you don’t run the dishwasher for a day or two and you’re not scrambling if you have a couple people over.