Camping Plates
And Bowl Tips.

Are you looking for durability, light weight, or compactness in your camping plates and bowls or something else?

Camping plates and camping bowls are usually made from plastic, stainless steel, or aluminum.

As I mention in the camping cookware section I would avoid aluminum. Although it's lightweight which is great for backpacking, it isn't very durable when compared to the other choices. And even though the temperatures your plates and bowls should see will be a lot less than your camping pots and pans, the aluminum can still combine with your food.

Polypropylene camping plates like the 8 inch Open Country Plastic Compartment Plate are very light at 2.4 ounces, but you definitely won't want to heat it up on the stove. Plastic also won't wear like stainless steel, but if you're backpacking and you measure your light-weight camping equipment by the ounce then this could be your answer (although I might go with a lightweight stainless steel pan that could double as a plate and a bowl).

Stainless steel is tough and durable and cleans up well although it is a little heavier than aluminum, but the 7.5 inch diameter MSR Mountain Plate only weighs 4.4 ounces... not too shabby. :-) Compared to the 'camping-type-plate' 10.4 inch GSI Baked Enamelware Plate at 11 ounces that's more than twice as light.

Also look for camping plates and bowls that "nest" with your camping pots and pans so they take up less space. MSR makes some great cookware in this regard.

The Seattle Sports Pocket Bowl is an interesting idea that offers a nylon bowl that collapses down to the size of a deck of playing cards. I would be a little nervous to hold it full of boiling hot soup though and it would be hard to dry it out completely before stowing it for backpacking. On the plus-side the 9.5 x 4 inch bowl only weighs 2 ounces.

All said I would consider stainless steel over enamel coatings because of its durability and light-weight, and over plastic because of it's durability and multi-use possibilities.

I hope this has helped make your camping plates decision an easier one. :-)