Dining Table

[tamborine]

would hot dishes make bubblewrap melt/stick under table cloth?

[woofgang]

not sure about melt/stick bit but the dishes wont sit level and bubblewrap isn't insulating, so if the hot dish is going to mark the table, it will still do it.

[diddlydo]

What's wrong with tablemats?

[boxtops]

Yes. Why use bubblewrap, I don't get it?

[heathfield]

The polythene of bubblewrap melts at around 105° - 110° C, i.e. not far above the boiling point of water. It's conceivable that heat from a really hot dish could pass through the table cloth at this temperature. To play it safe, I wouldn't put anything on the table cloth that was too hot for me to hold in my hand. Diddly's comment makes sense.

[diddlydo]

I certainly wouldn't want to risk what appears to be a new table! How long does it take to remove a bit of bubble-wrap?

[douglas9401]

We use this, it works fine.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/1220250.htm

[EcclesCake]

I'm wondering if the idea is to use the bubble wrap in lieu of a proper heat protecting underlay???

If that is the case I wouldn't for two reasons, the bubble wrap is unlikely to maintain its bubbles with the heat and additionally the weight of the serving dishes and unless you will be using coasters your wine glasses will not the very steady.

[tamborine]

6 place mats but nowt for hot serving dishes in centre.

[Psybbo]

A few tiles?

[Tilly2]

A piece of thick cardboard placed under the tablecloth would be better. (If you have no other mats you can use.)

[dunnitall]

For hot serving dishes how about folding up tea towels and placing some xmas wrapping paper over the top of them (or you could leave them without the wrapping paper)

[Tilly2]

It's probably too late for you to get one now, Tambo but I have a heat protection mat which goes underneath the tablecloth and covers the whole table.
Then you don't have the stress of watching where people place the hot dishes and, if someone spills their drink, it doesn't matter. I would recommend a proper heat protection cloth. I got mine from Dunhelm, I think.

[Hymie]

Place a sheet of paper each side of the bubble-wrap, then if it is heat damaged it will not spoil the table cloth or table surface.

[woofgang]

if paper gets damp and warm (hot food condensation trapped by the bubble wrap) it can stick to the new table and cause damage. Put anything you need to use ON TOP of the table cloth, wrapped in kitchen foil or christmas wrap.

[ferlew]

Have you got time to pop to Argos?

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/1220250.htm

[Maydup]

I suggest you use a either a bread board or a folded up towel under the table cloth rather than the bubble wrap.

[tamborine]

Thanx for tip Tilly, elves are raiding bins as we speak ;)

I enjoyed longmans thread about this & not offended.