Most people who have gone camping will tell you that it’s probably the most exciting experience in the world. But even then, it’s important to bring the best camping gear you can. This includes a nice tent, enough food and supplies, and of course, the best camping plates for dinner.
It’s so easy to overlook the plates but they play a significant role in determining the kind of outdoor experience you’re going to have. They come in different shapes, sizes, and brands.
If you’re not sure what to buy, we have a comprehensive review here below that will help you make an informed decision.
Best Camping Plates and Bowls
There are many factors to consider before buying a camping plate.
Nonetheless, we did some extensive research for you, testing various plates out there, and came up with a full list of the best plates to consider.
1. Coleman 12-Piece Enamel Dinnerware Set
The Coleman Enamel dinnerware set is a classy and aesthetically appealing option. It’s perfectly suited for a party of four.
The set is made of highly durable eco-friendly materials, beautifully coated with enamel, and finished in a bold bright blue shade for outstanding appeal.
This camping plate set also features 12 pieces. While it’s great for long travels, camping, and other outdoor activities, you can still use it at your dinner table as well. The set included a total of 4 plates, 4 cups, and 4 bowls.
It’s also dishwasher friendly for easy maintenance and super lightweight too for easy portability. Nonetheless, for a 12-set dinnerware set, it was surprising to see that the product doesn’t include cutlery into the mix.
2. Kekow Stainless Steel Dinner Plate
This Kekow stainless steel dinner plate set features up to four plates but doesn’t include cutlery. It’s, however, a durable stainless-steel camping plate that will last you for years.
It’s also super lightweight for easy portability. The plates are made from naturally occurring materials so they should be safe to use for anyone.
The kit works for different types of weather, including extreme conditions. You can also use it for both cold and hot foods.
The plate is just so versatile that you can use it to serve food for pets including cats and dogs. It has no smell or any added chemical. It’s simply a natural, safe to use product that’s exceptionally well-built and pocket friendly.
3. Sea to Summit Delta Camp Set
The Sea to Summit Delta Camp Set is one of the few backpacking plates in our list that features a cutlery set. You also get a large plate and a bowl.
The plates are made from a material called Protex. This material is easy to clean and very durable.
It also has a natural feel to it. Additionally, Protex also has fire retarding properties that should make it easier for you to hold hot foods with your hands. The set works for single person use only.
But if you like it so much, you can buy two or three additional sets to cater to those days when you bring the family out in the wild.
4. Wealers Store Stainless Steel Plate Set
In case you’re not a big fan of plastic, you can go for this amazing stainless steel Wealers Store plate set.
The plates are highly durable and should be perfect for deep forest trips in any type of weather. You also get the option to choose between a set of 2, 4, or 6. This depends on the number of people you want to bring to camp.
The plates also come with their travel bag for easy portability and they are very light too for easy movability. The stainless steel is BPA-free and 100% nontoxic.
It’s scratch and rust-resistant too for that extra bit of longevity and long-lasting service. The plates are versatile as well and they are easy to clean either by hand or at home in the dishwasher.
5. Cambridge Plastic Plate, Bowl, and Tumbler Dinnerware
The Cambridge Plastic Plate is constructed from high-end qualitative plastic and it almost looks like glass.
It’s also one of the cheapest plates for camping you can buy. The great thing is that it’s versatile enough to use for both outdoor camping activities and everyday home use.
All materials used to make this plate are 100% safe and nontoxic. It’s also made here in the good old USA so you have extra assurance that quality is indeed top-notch. The set is designed for a party of four, making it a great pick for families going out camping.
The Cambridge plastic plate set is indeed a uniquely designed high-quality eco-friendly camping plate that should fit within the budget of most people. Nonetheless, it would have been great if the manufacturer included some cutlery in there.
6. HaWare Eco-Friendly Stainless-Steel Plates
This four-piece camping plate set is a very popular choice and for several reasons. First, it features a durable stainless-steel design that should easily last for years.
The plates are also BPA-free and 100% eco-friendly. They should be safe to use for kids and adults alike, making them some of the best camping plates available.
You also get a dishwasher safe product for easy cleaning. The plates are very lightweight for easy mobility.
If you’re looking for plates that are perfectly suited for kids, this is the option to go for.
7. YUYUHUA Plastic Dinner Plates
The YUYUHUA Plastic Dinner Plates come in a set of 12 and feature beautiful bold colors perfectly suited for the outdoors. The plates are constructed from heavy-duty plastic and offer increased durability for outdoor use.
Plastic is also nontoxic and 100% BPA-free. This makes the plates perfectly safe for both kids and adults to use.
They are super versatile too. You can use them to serve a wide variety of foods. The plates are also dishwasher friendly, something that makes cleaning and maintenance super easy.
YUYUHUA dinner plates are ideal for large outdoor family gatherings and picnics. But even for the individual camper, a set of these plastic plates for camping will last you for years. Nonetheless, the plates aren’t safe to use in a microwave but rank high among the best camping plates.
8. Stansport Stainless Steel Camping Plates
The Stansport plate works great for the single camper who doesn’t need a full set of plates.
It features a flat rounded design and while this may limit its practicality as a plate, it also means that it can double up as a tray if needed. The plate is perfect for those long camping, hunting, and fishing escapades.
It’s constructed from steel for durability and is safe to use for both kids and adults. It’s more of a novelty item though and should be the perfect gift for someone who loves the outdoors.
Has a sleek beautiful appearance too but it’s not among the best camping plates and bowls you’ll get out there. It still ranks very well in terms of aesthetic appeal and versatility.
How to Get the Best Camping Plates
Now that we have given you a list of some of the best camping plates out there, it’s time to highlight some of the factors you must keep in mind as you shop for them.
Durability
The outdoor environment is rugged and you cannot afford to buy a fragile plate. We all know things fall easily out in the woods. Imagine using a glass camping plate. It will break on the first day.
Besides, you don’t want to always be worrying when you use your camping plates and utensils that they may break anytime.
This is why you must always pick something durable. You want a plate that even if it falls on hard rocks over and over again, you can just pick it up and use it like normal.
That’s why it’s recommended to get stainless-steel or plastic plates. These materials are super strong. Even if you accidentally step on them, they will remain intact for a long time.
Size
When you’re out in the woods you tend to eat a lot. Anyone who has been camping will tell you that. The last thing you want is a small plate.
It’s better to have one large plate than two or three small ones. A camping plate should be able to accommodate a lot of food that can be shared by two or three more people.
Portability
The camping plate is something you’ll need to carry with you for long-distance.
You’ll also need to find just the right place for it alongside the rest of your camping gear. Getting something compact but large enough to accommodate your meals can save you a lot of hassle.
Compact plates are easy to organize and carry. You’ll also have an easy time cleaning them and finding storage when they aren’t in use.
Versatility
You can use plates for camping for several roles.
A versatile plate that can double up as a tray or even a frying pan should be at top of your list. This often means that you carry several different utensils in the place of one.
Most titanium and stainless-steel camping plates tend to also double up as cookware. This kind of versatility is very important when you’re out there in the woods.
Eco-Friendliness
Environmental responsibility should be part and parcel of what we do. The only reason why camping is fun is based on the fact that these wild areas have been preserved for centuries.
The moment we start littering them with paper plates, then that wild outdoor experience goes away. You soon get trash-filled camping sites that no one wants to go to.
Getting a non-disposable plate is a perfect solution for this. A non-disposable plate is one that you can use over and over again. You just need to clean it after every use and that’s it.
Non-disposable plates offer two main benefits. First, they are eco-friendly, meaning that they help to conserve the environment. These plates are also practical and cost-efficient in the long run.
Safety
Your safety is extremely vital when you’re buying a camping plate. Plates made out of plastic, in particular, pose the biggest risk or toxins.
It’s, therefore, crucial to make sure that all these plates are BPA-free. BPA is a toxic substance that can cause serious health issues for you.
Most BPA-free plates will have a sign on the packaging that indicates that they are indeed BPA-free. Make sure you look out for that sign.
Price
Price shouldn’t be the main thing you look for in a plate. But it’s also something you cannot avoid. After all, if you cannot afford it, then you can’t buy it.
The great news is that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get top quality plates. There are so many top brands that are very affordable.
What you need to do is to understand the kind of plate you want and compare prices from different brands. Don’t settle for a plate just because it’s cheap.
It’s all about understanding the kind of value you get. Sometimes it’s better to spend a few extra bucks on a camping plate and get a durable product that will last for years.
Types of Outdoor Plates
As we noted at the start of this article, plates come in different forms and shapes. Each of these different plates offers unique advantages and disadvantages.
It’s important to understand each of them before you purchase any product.
Here are some of the main options:
Disposable
Disposable plates are designed for one-time use only for your camping dishes. They are often made from paper or plastic. However, disposable plates aren’t recommended.
This is because most camping sites don’t have garbage bins to take care of that waste.
In the end, the plates are scattered all over the wild, something that ultimately turns cool pristine wilderness into a garbage site.
Cookware
These plates are designed to double up as cookware or dinnerware. In essence, you can use them to fry something.
The plates are mostly made from steel and other metals like titanium or wrought iron.
Tableware
Tableware plates are often used to serve the food. They are mostly made from plastic and are versatile enough to be used even on your dinner table at home.
Top Materials
Camping plates are made from a wide range of materials, each with its pros and cons too.
Here are some of the most popular materials:
Enamel
If you want a classic style camping plate with a bit of aesthetic appeal, then we highly recommend enamel plates.
But, while these plates are fairly sturdy, they can chip away so easily.
Plastic
Plastic is by far the most popular material used in plates and for good reason. First, plastic is super lightweight. You can carry it anywhere you want.
Plastic camping plates are also unbreakable. Even if you somehow stuff them in a tight space or sit on them by mistake, they will remain intact.
Let’s not also forget that plastic plates are very cheap too and can be used multiple times. The biggest concern though is that plastic may contain BPA, a toxin that may pose several health risks for you which isn’t present in metal camp plates.
Aluminum
Aluminum plates aren’t that popular. But they offer a lightweight and durable all-weather option for outdoor use.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is known for its durability and long-lasting service just like most metal camping plates and cups. These plates are also very easy to maintain.
The biggest challenge though is that stainless-steel plates tend to be relatively heavier compared to other options.
Titanium
Titanium is a food-safe material and its durability ensures you get long-lasting plates. But it’s one of the most expensive materials you can go for.
Benefits of Blue Metal Camping Plates
Here are the top benefits you should consider:
- Easy to clean and maintain compared to traditional home-based plates
- Perfectly suited for outdoor use under extreme weather conditions
- You can pick among a wide variety of quality sets in the market
- Mostly eco-friendly and practical enough to use in the wild
- Essential in making your camping experience incredible
Final Thoughts
Finding a quality camping plate isn’t as hard as it may seem. There are just so many options out there.
However, some brands do stand out more than others. The Coleman 12-Piece Enamel Dinnerware Set is one of the few brands that indeed caught our attention.
The set is designed for a party of four and comes in an array of beautiful colors. It’s also lightweight and super durable. This set features a classy enamel construction for that classy appeal.