Plates, cups and bowls ???

[Zatara]

Hello, I'm looking to buy some new plates, cups and bowls for a base camp set.
We currently use GSI plastic stuff which works but is flimsy when used for steaks or heavier foods.
We are considering the enamel/steel plates by GSI, Snow Peak stainless plates or maybe tin plates with sections like those used at the chuckwagon restaurants.
Anyone have pros or cons on these or some other suggestions ??
Thanks

 

[ssssnake529]

I use metal plates, but I like guyot squishy bowls and cups. The squishy bowls and cups fit in the nooks and crannies of my kitchen kit, and prevent rattling and shifting of the contents.

 

[1leglance]

Go to a Goodwill or other thrift store and get quality pie tins. These are a nice heavy gauge metal, have enough of a lip to not let you spill things and stack really well. Not to mention dirt cheap.
I also have used burner covers for the stove as plates.

 

[grimbo]

I prefer using the melamine ones. The problem with the steel ones are they are very hot to handle initially and in cold weather leech all the heat out of the food very quickly making your meal cold.

 

[Lynn]

I feel your pain. I can't stand paper or plastic for steaks. Matter of fact, plastic can be hard to wash after any greasy meal.

We use Corelle tableware that came from a thrift store. Like fine china but nearly impossible to break.

Also doesn't get hot like metal ware. However, it does have more heat transfer than stoneware. I've noticed food cools pretty quickly on Corelle. Still not as bad as metal ware, though.

I've also seen really good deals on Corelle sets in the big box stores just before and after major Holidays.

 

[FJR Colorado]

Go to a Goodwill or other thrift store and get quality pie tins. These are a nice heavy gauge metal, have enough of a lip to not let you spill things and stack really well. Not to mention dirt cheap.
I also have used burner covers for the stove as plates.

Good suggestion. You can also save the pie tins from Marie Callendar's frozen pies.... some damn good pies too! Especially the triple berry.

These are also great for saving and re-heating left-overs.

 

[BigAl]

I've been looking for the old military cafeteria style steel trays. We had them when I was a kid. A stack of 6 was only ~1" thick.
edit , found them on ebay for $2

 

[Zatara]

Thanks all !
Going to hit a few goodwill stores and see what they have.
Also, any issues using aluminum plates and acidic foods ?

 

[Rocket Ship]

I used to have enameled metal plates. They cooled the food way too fast, I hated that. I can't even imagine using aluminum.

I changed to melamine, but I find they break way too easily. I think the melamine these days is cheap compared to the past. My parents have some aweful mango green coloured melamine camping dishes from the 70's still in service. My new Coleman set? I dropped one mug, it fell about 24" onto the counter top, and it's cracked. Not acceptable.

I've also thought about just getting some Corelle. Sure, it's not "expo", but I've dropped those onto my tile floor with no problem, they are hard, and don't chill the food.

 

[Errant]

My favorite are some old Tupperware divided lunch trays. They are a great size (15x9) for eating out of your lap if sitting in front of the fire rather than at a table. Easy to clean, don't feel hot or cold, great to cut on, stack well, and don't make a bunch of noise in the kitchen box. I was able to find 8 of them at a thrift store for $1 each

 

[gonejeeping15]

We eat staeks and other meals on smoking hot cast iron platters, everthing else is fuel for the evenings campfire, except for the margarita glass.

 

[r_w]

Not much to worry about aluminum for acidic foods while you are eating, unless you are grinding your steak knife into the plate. Your food isn't there long enough or hot enough to do anything bad.

A bit of the answer depends on how you store and clean your gear. My utensil choices usually are sized to fit the hole I have to fill. A pie plate or old GI/boyscout set are both good all-in-one answers.

 

[Kilroy]

We use a set we got from West Marine. Pricey, but they're heavy duty, don't suck heat from food, and have a rubber ring on bottom that keeps them from sliding. To paraphrase, because I can't remember quote exactly, you live with your purchase long after you've forgotten the price.

Wife had a bunch of different dishes, deal for getting the good ones was that was all we kept. Happy so far.

 

[Corey]

After seeing the green wasabi mixing bowls in this thread, I just ordered a set from Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938811&pf_rd_i=507846

In my chuckbox I have the heavy blue enameled steel plates and bowls, and I am going to pick up some Corelle dishes from them.
I have used Corelle in the home since the early 80s, and I like them a lot.
They are much lighter than the steel stuff I have now, and I too have noticed how food cools down to fast with them.

I wish I could just buy four of the dinner plates and bowls, as I do not need the smaller plates or the mugs.

 

[Corey]

Just bought these.
I looked at a lot of different patterns, and I settled on these since they have green leaves on them, kind of outdoors looking.

The mugs I will not use, and the smaller plates will go with my home collection.

Corelle Contours Neo Leaf 16-Piece Dinnerware Set, Service for 4