It’s important to pick a set of RV dishes that are economical, durable, and travel well so we put together this RV camping resource guide to help you choose the best RV dishes for your camper.
Benefits of Buying RV Dishes
Dishes designed for your RV are specifically made up of materials that are durable enough to resist breakage and chipping. Here are a few of the benefits of using camping dishes as opposed to standard household dishes or paper plates.
- Doesn’t break or chip easily
- Scratch-resistant
- Easy to clean
- Portable
- Easy to store and does not occupy too much space
- Affordable
- Lightweight
- So many designs to choose from
Should You Buy RV Camping Dishes?
Perhaps you don’t think you need to buy camping dishes and you are content to just keep using disposable paper plates. That’s certainly a viable option if you choose to do so. No judgment here, but if you would like something that lasts longer and is, dare I say, even cute, then you might want to consider investing in a cute set of RV camping dishes.
Pros and Cons of Melamine Dishes
Melamine is the number one material used by manufacturers in making dishes that are great for your RV setup. It is a thermoplastic resin material that is great, producing very durable plastic-like material.
Easy to Clean
Cooking in an RV can often be a pain, so having dishes that are easy to clean helps make the task just a bit easier. Dishes that are difficult to clean are just plain annoying so make sure to choose dishes that are easy to clean or dishwasher safe. Dishes made of melamine won’t be a problem since they are easy to clean.
Compact & lightweight
RV living means making the most out of the space you have and mastering RV organization. . Everything you bring along the road including your dishes should be compact and lightweight so it’s easier to store and move from one place to another.
BPA-Free
BPA(bisphenol A) is a chemical added by unreliable manufacturers to a lot of products such as food containers, water bottles, and even dishes. This chemical has harmful effects on the body so make sure that you choose dinnerware that are BPA-FREE.
Cons
Some reports indicate that melamine might be dangerous to humans and cause kidney damage if consumed in large quantities or if it leaks into food over a long period of exposure. The official ruling is that it is generally considered safe, but some studies have shown that prolonged exposure should still be a concern. As with anything you have to make your own risk assessment. It is recommended that you not microwave melamine dishes.
Best Dishes For The RV
The Camp Casual dish is a fun find for your campers. With its vibrant and colorful designs, eating on camp will be more fun and aesthetically pleasing. The vintage look of the dishes adds more character and a great match to any camper designs out there.
Made with 100% melamine, it is surely durable and designed for outdoor use. In addition to it being made of durable melamine, all are FDA approved and BPA free so you don't need to worry about harmful chemical going inside your bodies.
The Camp Casual 12 pc. dish set is made up of Four 11" Dinner plates, Four 8. 5" Salad plates, Four 6" Bowls.
Pros
- Made of 100% melamine
- Durable
- BPA-Free and FDA Approved
- Colorful and vintage designs
- lightweight
- Comes with a reusable box with handle
- Easy to clean and dishwasher safe
Cons
- Not suitable for microwave use
- Not suited for larger families or crowd
Coleman is a trusted brand that is famous for manufacturing products that are perfect for the outdoors. They were the inventor of the hugely popular fold-up camp stove and from there created outdoor products that are truly high class and durable.
The Coleman enamel dishware set is made of double-fired enamel, although its not as durable as the dishes made of melamine its still is a fine dishware to bring during camping or picnics since it still is a more durable alternative to ceramic or plastics ware.
The 24 Piece dishware includes four 10-inch dinner plates, four 12-ounce coffee mugs with handles, and four 6-inch bowls. It also includes a a silverware kit with four plastic-handled forks, spoons, and knives stored in a convenient roll-up pouch. It definitely is a great find especially for larger camping families.
Pros
- Durable
- lightweight
- Classy and elegant design
- Great for larger families or crowd
- Easy to clean and dishwasher safe
- Roll up pouch makes storage easier
- Crack resistant
Cons
- Not as durable as dishes made of melamine
- The mugs are not stackable compared to the plates and bowls
This 12 pc dishware set is made of pure melamine which makes it a sturdy choice for camping. It is food grade and BPA Free which means that you don't have to worry about unwanted chemicals touching your food ad entering you system. These melamine plastic plates and bowls set were designed with convenience and comes with a rustic design perfect for camping.
It includes a dish set for four; 4 large 10.5" dinner plates, 4 8.5" salad or dessert plates, & 4 6" wide x 3" high bowls .
Pros
- Made of Melamine
- Durable and lightweight
- Dishwasher safe
- food grade & BPA Free
- Rustic design & Matte Finish
Cons
- Fit for smaller families
- Its a bit pricey
The Yinshine dish set is an eyecatcher with its rustic design and appeal. The dish set is made of melamine, making very durable and super safe to use whether indoors or outdoors. It is completely BPA-free which is good news for anyone looking for the perfect dish set.
The Yinshine 12 pcs dish set comes with 4 pcs 7 inch bowl, 4 pcs 8 inch salad plates, 4 pcs 10 inch dinner plates.
Pros
- Made of melamine
- BPA-free
- lightweight
- Durable
- Easy to clean and dishwasher safe
- Perfect for camping
- Stackable
Cons
- Its not microwaveable
- Some customers complain about the rough texture on the plates
- Not ideal for larger crowds
The Camco 12 pcs. Dishware set is a great alternative to your disposable plastic or paper camping plates. Its multi RV pattern makes it the perfect for any camping enthusiast. And its fun and colorful design may just be the trick you need to get your kids excited in eating your camping cooked meals.
It made of melamine making it practically unbreakable and lightweight, this feature make it a perfect choice for RV camping and other outdoor activities. Its BPA-free, so its very safe to use for eating.
The 12 pcs dishware set includes place settings for four, consisting 6" bowls, 7.75" side plates and 9.75" dinner plates.
Pros
- Fun and colorful patterns
- Made of melamine
- BPA- Free
- Easy to clean and dishwasher safe
- Durable
- The bowls are big and deep
- Easy to store
Cons
- Not microwaveable
- Not suited for larger crowds
The Gibson brand is a respected company based in Los Angeles. They are widely known for producing high quality dinner wares, cook wares, kitchen tools, gadgets etc. With high quality products, Gibson brand is one of the best choices when choosing a good camper dish set.
If you're looking for loud and vibrant colors for your camper dishes then the Gibson Home Brist set is a brilliant find! Made of the highly durable material, Melamine, it sure is a great investment.
The set includes 10.5" dinner plates, 8" salad plates and 6" bowls.
Pros
- Made of Melamine
- Durable and lightweight
- Easy to clean and dishwasher safe
- Vibrant colors
- Break resistant, chip resisted and scratch resistant
- Nice texture on surface
Cons
- Not microwaveable
- A few people who bought the dishes commented about the the coat of the dish which was coming off and the dish is not as durable as the manufacturer advertised.
More RV Camping Resources
- Don’t Leave Home Without These RV Kitchen Essentials
- 10 Fantastic ideas to Organize RV Kitchen Cabinets
- Digital Camping Menu Planner
- Fun RV Accessories To Show Off Your RV Camping Style
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