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High on the list of camping gear essentials is a suitable set of dinnerware, which includes camping plates and bowls, cups, and utensils. You don’t want to bring along your good household dishware, and while disposable paper plates and plastic utensils may sound convenient, they’re flimsy and not an economical choice in the long run.
But with so many options for camping plates and bowls, how do you choose the right set? To help, we’ve put together a list of the best camping dishes on the market in 2022.
How to Choose the Right Camping Dinnerware
Before buying a set of camping dishes, there are a few things you should consider. For starters, think about the type of camping you’ll be doing. Will you be backpacking or tent camping? If you’re going to be on the move, you’ll want dinnerware that’s durable and lightweight. Do you have a small pop-up camper or a big motorhome? If you have the luxury of a full RV kitchen, you have more flexibility.
1. Choose the Right Material
If you’re shopping for a set of camping dishware, you should consider the material. Most camping plates and bowls are made from one of the following: enamel, stainless steel, and plastic. Each has its advantages, so you’ll want to decide which features are the most important to you.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel dishes are the most durable and will have the longest lifespan. They’re also easy to clean, and stainless steel utensils are durable enough to handle any type of meal you prepare. If you tend to be hard on your camping gear, steel might be the way to go. On the downside, they tend to be very heavy. For this reason, I wouldn’t recommend stainless steel for a backpacking adventure that requires carrying a heavy load.
Enamel-coated
Enamel tableware has become a highly popular choice, due to its durability and the fact that it’s relatively lightweight. Most enamel plates and bowls are enamel-coated with a steel center but remain lighter than solid stainless steel. The enamel coating means that they can come in a wide variety of colors, making them a stylish choice. They are definitely more durable and heat resistant than plastic dishes, but if you don’t take care of them, they can chip and degrade over time.
Plastic
Plastic camping dishes are both lightweight and affordable. Depending on the brand, the cutlery may not be adequate for all situations, but it’s far more useful than disposable plastic forks and knives. Plastic dishes are perfect for kids, but if you want something that will last several years, you’re better off with stainless steel or enamel-coated dinnerware. Manufacturers use different types of plastics, so make sure they are free of toxic industrial chemicals, like BPA.
2. Plate Dimensions
Okay. I might be contradicting myself with the first set of camping plates on our list, which only measures 8 inches across, but I don’t recommend purchasing a dinnerware set unless the plates are 10″ in diameter. The exception would be if you really need to keep things compact because you’re on a backpacking trip or tent camping.
3. The Number of Pieces
As you’ll see from our list, you can buy complete dinnerware sets for one, two, or four people. Obviously, the more set you need, the more money you’ll spend. My advice is to match the number of dinnerware sets to the amount of people you will normally camp with. If you end up bringing an extra person along, you can always bring a spare set from home. In other words, don’t spend more money than you need to.
Without further ado, here is our list of the best camping dinnerware sets for 2021!
Best Stainless Steel Camping Plates and Bowls Set:
The 25-pcs Odoland Camping Set comes with 4-8” plates, cups, and utensils, and is perfect whether you’re backpacking or camping RV-style. If there’s a downside, it’s that the plates are a bit undersized, at only 8″ in diameter. In all likelihood, this was Each set of utensils has its own carrying case, and the entire set fits into a drawstring mesh bag. Not only is this a top stainless steel dinnerware set, but it’s also a great value.
What we like:
- Value-priced
- Durable, stainless steel construction
- Can accommodate dining for 4
- Easy to clean, dishwasher safe
- Comes with a handy mesh bag and utensil cases
Best Enamel-Coated Set: STANSPORT Deluxe 24-Piece Tableware Set:
While honorable mention goes to the Coleman enamel camping plates, this set from Stansport gets the nod for its lightweight construction and lower price point. Don’t mistake the lower price for lesser quality, however – these enamel camping dishes are plenty rugged, with a steel core and an attractive blue finish. The set features large camping plates with a diameter of more than 10 inches. They are also dishwasher safe.
What we like:
- Affordably priced for a 24-piece set
- Large-sized plates (10.75” diameter)
- Stylish blue finish
- Lightweight, durable construction
- Dishwasher safe
Best Plastic Set: Light My Fire Camping Mess Kit
The Light My Fire Camping Dinnerware comes as an 8-piece mess kit, complete with a cup, bowl, plate, spork, and storage containers, making for an incredibly flexible set of camping dishes. It’s made of high-quality plastic, comes in eye-popping orange, and has a cool elastic harness that keeps everything together. At less than one pound for the entire set, it’s also very lightweight.
What we like:
- 8-piece mess kit gives you lots of options
- made from high quality plastic
- Lightweight (400g)
- Orange color is made to stand out
- Comes with a unique elastic harness
Best for 1 Person: UST Packware Camping Dish Set
If you’re on a solo camping trip, or you’re joining with other friends, the UST Packware Dishware Set is what you’ll need. It comes in cool-looking orange, is highly durable, and at less than half a pound, ultra-light camping plates won’t weigh you down. As with many of the camping dishes on our list, it comes with a mesh carrying bag. This one happens to be of the drawstring variety, so you can easily hang your dishes to dry after washing.
What we like:
- Durable plastic material
- Stylish orange color
- Value-priced
- Lightweight (227 grams)
- Mesh drawstring bag included
Best for 2 People: Wealers Stainless Steel Tableware for Two
This set is perfect for couples, or for camping with a friend. The stainless steel construction is durable for any type of camping, while the plates and bowls are deep enough to accommodate any type of meal. The Wealers brand is synonymous with quality, and the custom carrying case bearing its name is a nice touch.
What we like:
- Durable stainless steel construction
- Easy to clean
- Depth of plate and bowls
- Knives can easily cut through most meat
- Comes with a handy carrying case for easy transportation
Best Set for Kids: Collective Home Design Plastic Camping Dinnerware Set
If you’re camping with small children, it doesn’t make sense to break the bank for an extra-large set of enamel or stainless steel camping dishes. A more affordable choice option would be to purchase a plastic dinnerware set for the kids. This set from Collective Home Design is durable, safe, and easy to clean, making it our top pick.
What we like:
- Affordable
- Large, 8-person set
- Safe (BPA-free, no risk of your kids being exposed to harmful chemicals)
- Durable – Heat resistant and dishwasher safe
- Assorted colors your kids will enjoy
Best Lightweight Set: GSI Outdoors Cascadian Camping Dishes
If your goal is packing light, the Cascadian table set from GSI Outdoors has got you covered. A 1-person setting (cutlery, plate, cup, and bowl) weighs in at an ultra-light 209 grams, making it perfect for a solo backpacking trip, or any wilderness outing, for that matter. The plate diameter is on the small side, at 9.5”, which helps to shave off a few extra ounces. GSI includes a handy mesh case, making it easy to pack and carry.
What we like:
- ultra-lightweight camping plate set
- 100% recyclable
- Suitable for a backpacking trip
- Easy-to-store
- Comes with a mesh carrying case
Best Value Set: Coleman Camping Dinner Set
If price is your main consideration, check out this set of camping dishes from Coleman. The 2-person set is made of high-quality plastic. You can pick up 2X2 sets for less than $40, enough for a family of four. The dinnerware is dishwasher safe and comes with a mesh carrying bag.
What we like:
- Value-priced
- Quality construction
- Dishwasher safe
- Includes mesh carrying bag
Best Set of Camping Bowls
I don’t know about you, but if I’m buying a set of bowls for camping, I’m going with stainless steel camping bowls, for maximum durability. I want them large enough to be versatile – ideal for cereal, fruit, or for use as a small mixing bowl. With that in mind, this 2-pack of K-Steel Stainless Steel Bowls is a great choice. At 28 oz, they’re large enough for multi-purpose use, and the brushed stainless steel finish will reduce signs of wear over time. The material is FDA-approved 304 food grade and heat resistant, able to handle high temperatures.
What we like:
- Affordable
- 28 ounces, ideal as a multi-purpose bowl
- Durable stainless steel with a brushed finish
- Heat resistant, dishwasher safe
Bonus: Mr. Peanut’s Collapsible Silicone Camping Bowl
As a bonus, check out this silicone collapsible camping bowl! Collapsible dinnerware is perfect for road trips or camping. This lightweight camping bowl is only 230 grams. It’s dishwasher, microwave, and refrigerator safe. It’s also easy to clean. The best part is that it comes with a lid and foldable spoon for ultimate flexibility and convenience.
For more bowls like this one, check out our full review of the top collapsible camping bowls.
Final Thoughts on Camping Plates and Bowls
Have I helped you find the perfect set of dinnerware for your next trip? At the very least, you now know what to look for when shopping for camping plates and bowls. If you enjoyed this article, I encourage you to check out our list of 46 Camping Gear Essentials for 2021!
