Are stainless steel plates best for camping?

When looking for the best camping tableware, you need to ensure the build materials are BPA-free and resistant to leaching chemicals. Stainless steel is a good option as it lasts longer, avoids chemical leaching and is simple to clean, but materials like aluminum and enamel also make good options.

What camping tableware set is the best?

Most people can benefit from complete camping sets that include plates, bowls, cups, and flatware, along with food preparation items. Having pots and pans can be useful as you can easily prepare your favorite dishes on a campfire and then serve them on the plates or in the bowls included in your set.

Should plastic camping sets be avoided?

You should avoid plastic materials that may leach chemicals into your food, so make sure it’s BPA free. Good alternatives are stainless steel, aluminum, enamel, or even porcelain tableware, but keep in mind that the latter could be fragile for camping.

Do camping tableware sets come with carrying bags?

You should always go with sets that come with carrying bags if you wish to avoid having the items bounce in your backpack. To prevent damage to plates, options that come with carrying bags are your best bet.

The 10 Best Camping Tableware Sets [2023]

How can you get the most out of your time in nature on an empty stomach? That’s why it’s crucial to have the equipment needed to enjoy a quality meal after a day of hiking, fishing, or enjoying nature.

This article will provide you with information on some of the best camping tableware for preparing, serving, and enjoying your favorite food. You will want to look for tableware that’s BPA-free and made of quality materials that guarantee years of use. Before choosing a set, there are many other factors to consider, so let’s jump into the details.

Table of contents

Things To Consider With Camping Tableware
The 10 Best Camping Tableware Sets
Final Thoughts

Table of Contents

Things To Consider With Camping Tableware
The 10 Best Camping Tableware Sets
Final Thoughts

Things To Consider With Camping Tableware

Make sure you take into account the following factors when deciding on the best tableware set for your camping needs:

Materials

Camping Dinner Sets — With a tableware set made of high-quality, safe materials, you can cook and eat with confidence. Image Credit: Amar Hussain

If you want lasting tableware made of chemical-free materials, it’s best to focus on stainless steel and aluminum. These tableware sets will endure even the harshest conditions and are suitable options for cooking over your campfire.

Other materials — like enamel or even porcelain — are worth mentioning, but it’s important to avoid some plastics here because they can leach chemicals into your food. With a camping tableware set made of high-quality, safe materials, you can cook and eat with confidence.

Compact Storage

If you plan on bringing a tableware set on your next camping adventure, chances are you have limited storage. Compact-sized sets will suit this purpose splendidly, as an entire dining set can easily fit into your storage space.

Bottom Line: If you are backpacking and camping without a vehicle, it’s best to have compact tableware that you can fit into your backpack.

Ease of Cleaning

If you don’t want to carry your trash or pollute your surroundings with single-use plastic tableware, you will need to plan on cleaning and reusing your dishes and eating utensils. Stainless steel and aluminum tableware is your best bet, as you can clean it using just water.

Durability

If you are an experienced camper, you will no doubt be looking for durable dishes that you can reuse in the future. This is where the build material of your camping tableware comes into play.

You can’t go wrong with high-grade steel. You won’t have to worry about breakage or rust for years to come.

Hot Tip: We know camping! Check out our other guides to the best camping cooking sets, the best camping kitchens, the best camping mugs, and the best reusable travel utensil sets.

The 10 Best Camping Tableware Sets

Among our choices of the best camping tableware, you can find options of various sizes, materials, and pieces to suit your needs. Your choice of eating set will be dependent on your desires and circumstances.

Look into the following options during your search for the best camping tableware.

1. Enamel Tableware Set

DISCOUNT: 30%

BEST OVERALL: STANSPORT - Deluxe 24-Piece Enamel Tableware Set

Made of enamel, this is a durable tableware set that has everything you'll need for 4 people, no matter what food you plan to prepare and eat while you're traveling around.

Stansport Deluxe 24-Piece Tableware Set

One of the best tableware sets for camping is Stansport’s 24-piece set made with stainless steel edges and a durable double-glazed enamel finish. It comes in bright colors, making it fun as well as practical.

The set includes plates, bowls, mugs, spoons, knives, and forks for a complete package. It is sufficient for use by a family of 4. It’s lightweight and compact, making it easily portable in a backpack or vehicle.

This charming set will make the great outdoors feel like home.

What We Like:

Comes as a complete 24-piece set

What We Don’t Like:

Might be a bit fragile

2. Tableware Set With Carrying Bags

UPGRADE PICK: Wealers Unique Complete Messware Kit

This tableware set is made of metal that won't rust and is easy to clean. You can handwash all the pieces while you're traveling and use the dishwasher at home.

Wealers Unique Complete Messware Kit Polished Stainless Steel Dishes Set

If you’re looking for a high-grade stainless-steel set that will last indefinitely, Wealers’ messware kit could be the one. It comes with a complete set for 4.

The plates, bowls, and cups are packed in separate mesh bags and all of it fits into a compact carrying bag. It might sound a bit bulky for camping, but it’s truly great for storage and for taking account of all the items that come in this set.

The plates and bowls will suffice for serving all types of food, while the stainless steel cups can be used for hot or cold beverages. Its versatility is a great companion to its unmatched durability.

What We Like:

Stainless steel durability and high-grade build

What We Don’t Like:

The mesh bags can snag

3. Great Overall Camping Set for Cooking and Serving

GSI Outdoors Camp Dinnerware Set

You have a full kitchen set made of durable enamel with this kit. You even have a coffee pot and a serving pot, as well as your dishes, cups, and more.

GSI Outdoors Pioneer Enamelware Camp Set

For those who want a complete package for both preparing and serving food while camping, the GSI camp set is the best choice. It contains kiln-hardened, heavy-gauge steel dishes and cooking items, including a pot, a pan, and a percolator for tea.

This set has 15 items for food preparation and serving. This includes bowls, plates, and cups. The only thing missing in this set is flatware.

The quality design of this set is a testament to its durability. You can use the pot and pan on any campfire surface. The whole set weighs a bit less than 10 pounds, which means easy storage and transport to the campsite.

What We Like:

High versatility with cooking items

What We Don’t Like:

The flatware set isn’t included

4. Steel Cutlery and Serving Set

Odoland 25pcs Stainless Steel Utensils

A full tableware set for 4 people. All the utensils in this set are made of stainless steel, so they're safe to use and wash without rusting. It also has a carrying bag.

Odoland 25pcs Stainless Steel Camping Tableware

If you plan on eating in nature, you need a lightweight set that has all the serving pieces you might need. This set by Odoland includes all the items you need except for food preparation items.

With 25 stainless steel pieces, including forks, knives, spoons, plates, and cups, you will be completely prepared for your outdoor adventure. Even kids will love this set, thanks to the colorful cases for each person’s set of flatware.

The set also comes with 1 large carrying case for your convenience.

What We Like:

Includes individual flatware sleeves and a carrying bag

What We Don’t Like:

The set lacks food preparation items

5. Tableware Set With Collapsible Water Bucket

Stainless Steel Camping Plates, Cups, and Bowls Set

This stainless steel utensil set has its own carrying case, so it's easy to take on your travels and store. The case also works as a collapsible water bucket, too.

COTOM Stainless Steel Camping Set

This set contains everything you need — and perhaps more — for successful meals while camping. Using the collapsible multi-functional bucket, you can store your dishes, carry them to the campsite, grab water, or wash the set pieces.

Along with the compact bucket, the set includes plates, bowls, cups, and sauce plates. It contains enough pieces for the entire family, and the versatile bucket comes as a cherry on top. Unfortunately, you will have to purchase flatware separately.

All the tableware pieces are made of stainless steel, so maximum durability is guaranteed.

What We Like:

The collapsible bucket

What We Don’t Like:

Doesn’t come with flatware

6. Compact Camping Tableware Set

Coleman 12-Piece Enamel Dinnerware Set

You never have to worry about packing enough paper or plastic cups and plates with this set. You get 12 durable enamel pieces, 4 cups, 4 bowls, and 4 dishes.

Coleman 12-Piece Enamel Dinnerware Set

If you are looking for a basic dining set for serving food, Coleman enamel dinnerware is a good option. It includes just the plates, bowls, and cups, which is a good option if you already have a cutlery set and cooking pieces.

All the items are made of enamel for maximum durability and hygiene. You can easily clean the dishes with a bit of water after you finish your meal.

What We Like:

Small-size tableware set for those who wish to save space

What We Don’t Like:

The enamel can chip

7. Backpacking Dinnerware

Wealers Camping Mess Kit

This mess kit is great for camping, You get 16 pieces as well as a mesh bag for easy cleaning and drying. The set is also colorful for easy visibility.

Wealers Camping Mess Kit 16-Piece Dinnerware

If you are preparing for a day of hiking, you should look for a compact tableware set that fits into your backpack, which is exactly what the Wealers camping mess kit offers.

This set includes dinnerware for 4 people. It’s made of BPA-free polypropylene and includes 4 colorful sets of plates, cups, and flatware. The carrying bag is specifically designed to fit into a backpack, so 1 person can carry the entire set.

With a 3-in-1 multi-functional eating utensil, you will be saving precious space in your pack and prepared to eat at a moment’s notice. The set is very lightweight and compact and is perfect when space is at a premium.

What We Like:

Eco-friendly, BPA-free material

What We Don’t Like:

The colors might be more suited to kids

8. A Lightweight Food Set

DISCOUNT: 6%

TIMDAM 20pcs Camping Mess Kit

A full 20-piece set. You'll have enough tableware and utensils for a family as you camp. It's a lightweight kit, but it's also suitable to leave in your RV or camper.

TIMDAM 20pcs Camping Mess Tableware Kit

Another lightweight tableware set that fits into your backpack is the TIMDAM 20-piece tableware kit. It includes 4 sets of flatware, plates, mugs, and bowls. Its lightweight wheat stalk material is eco-friendly and easy to clean.

The BPA-free material protects you and your family from unwanted chemical exposure, while the 2.18-pound weight makes for easy carrying in your backpack. The TIMDAM camping mess tableware kit is also great for eating in your RV or on a folding table, as it’s compact and fits the smallest tables.

What We Like:

The eco-friendly materials

What We Don’t Like:

The bowls are a bit small

9. Sectioned Camping Plate Set

Stainless Steel Plate Set

These dishes are simple but useful. They have compartments so you can separate your food for easy serving. They also come with a mesh bag, so they're easy to clean and carry.

Wealers Steel Plate Portable Set

Whether you want a camping tableware set for a barbeque or a quick meal by the campfire, the Wealers plate set makes a great option for your gear. It includes 4 lightweight plates that come with 3 divided sections for different foods.

This plate set is as good an option for picnics as it is for sitting around the campfire. It includes a compact bag for carrying your plates.

What We Like:

Versatile and scratch-free design

What We Don’t Like:

Only includes plates

10. The Most Compact Set for 1

DISCOUNT: 15%

UCO 4-Piece Camping Mess Kit

This is a fantastic meal kit if you pack your lunch for work. You have a sealed container that serves as a dish or bowl, and you also have a spork.

UCO 4-Piece Camping Mess Kit

An interesting solution for a lightweight set and quick eating assembly when camping is the UCO 4-piece set with a utensil. It includes a bowl, a plate, and a 3-in-1 spork utensil made of nylon material. Altogether, it only weighs 280 grams.

This set is one of the best options for campers that like a compact set with easy access. The bowl and plate connect with an airtight seal for transport. The 3-in-1 utensil, which attaches to the bowl and plate combo with a tether, can be used as a fork, spoon, or knife, thanks to the serrated knife edge on the fork end. The whole thing can be attached to your pack with a carabiner.

The bowl and plate come with rubberized grips on the bottom to prevent slippage on eating surfaces.

What We Like:

Lightweight and compact

What We Don’t Like:

Only for 1 person

Final Thoughts

All of these camping tableware sets make great options for outdoor dining while camping. Some even offer additional food preparation items.

Whichever you choose, practical carrying bags come with most of the listed options. Using this list, you can decide on the best set for your needs and storage space without having to worry about chemicals, thanks to durable and eco-friendly materials.