Breakables in the Teardrop

[Patti]

I hate paper or plastic dishes and drinkware. I never use any of it at home. I know some people won't take breakables camping and do rely on paper and/or plastic but that has never been me. I have a set of tinware I've used for years when camping, although right now I can't find where it is stored, which is annoying!

I have so many heavy coffee mugs I'm thinking of keeping a whisk broom and dust tray in the galley for breakage, but using those mugs two at a time, because I honestly don't care if they get broken and much prefer to drink out of them rather than tin. I also have an abundance of plates I'm thinking of using the same way. It's all sturdy stuff and capable of dropping without breaking at all, nothing fragile.

I'm curious about everyone else. I've read some people who won't travel without real wine glasses and just deal with the breakage, and others that would rather drink champagne from a Solo cup than deal with washing up! What do you do? Any tricks up your sleeve?

[Kharn]

One thing to worry about is the sharp edges a ceramic piece makes when it breaks, which can easily ruin wood finishes if it bounces around enough. Tripping at a campsite is also something to be concerned about, picking up all the little pieces under the ranger's criticizing gaze probably isn't a load of fun.

We use Coleman enameled plate/bowl/mug sets, and Coleman camping flatware sets. They're not fancy, but they work. Next time, we'll skip the "camping" flatware and get conventional stainless steel since the plastic handles take up a ton of space in the drawer organizer.

[jonw]

My plates, bowls, and "glasses" are plastic purchased on sale at Target. Silverware is real and my mugs are ceramic.

My larger dinner plates are stored on edge on a little shelf, bungeed to the galley wall so they won't move around when travelling. Plus they have a nice design and look nice like this.

Everything else (including the mugs) are kept on a top shelf (above the interior cabinets, right under the hatch) that's lined with rubbermaid shelf liner to help absorb any shocks. The front of the shelf has a little decorative railing on it to keep anything from spilling/moving off of it.

When I lost my hatch a couple of years ago nothing in the back fell off or broke, so I guess it works pretty well. On thing is to pack things on the shelf so they wont roll around and always place breakables next to something non-breakable (ie. not next to each other where they could break if they hit each other when jostled around).

Good luck!

[minstrel]

I am with you....like to eat on real plates. I just picked a couple up at Goodwill...heavy ironstone type and a couple of bowls to match. I actually layer a sheet between the plates and bowls and just let them ride on my mattress. Also brought real wineglasses....again if anything breaks, big deal. There is always more at the thrift store. Also, Corelle works well....had that in my pop-up and it never broke.
Liz

[aggie79]

We use plastic containers to store things in the cabinets. It's easy to pull them out and get what you need. They also help to keep things secure. For our coffee mugs - we like ceramic - they are stored in container and are wrapped individually with two small dish towels.

[Patti]

You know, the more I think about it, the more I prefer using the tinware. I don't recall if it's Coleman or not, but it's blue speckleware I've had for years. But I do want to use the mugs. They can be cushioned for travel or as you say, braced between soft things.

[bobhenry]

I am in the glass is best class but I have found the hard plastic is acceptable. I love Ingrid



actually several ingrids.... ( a now defunct plastic factory out of Chicago)

Compact with servings for six



I found a picnic set from the same company

[bobhenry]

OH Damn I shouldn't have looked........

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=ingrid+plastics&_from=R40&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313&_nkw=ingrid+plastics&_sacat=0

[PKCSPT]

I use the disposable plastic and wash and reuse it to save on weight.

[Shadow Catcher]

Some decades ago when we were tent camping we bought a Coleman Peak (the good stuff) set pots pans, which are all stainless steel and all nests together in a large pot (there were 5 of us) and that includes full size plates.

[Esteban]

I bought melamine plates and bowls from Target to use in the teardrop. They're lighter weight and break resistant.

[markhusbands]

I like the various enameled plates, cups, bowls, teapots, pots, etc.

And I mostly like them because they are retro and can't break.

[Redneck Teepee]

I carry some paper products for easy use when just eating a sandwich and such, for what I call a full meal I have a stack of stainless steel military chow line compartment trays that 6 of them will stack about 3/4" thick, no break, no rust and easy clean-up. Works for me anyway.

[Patti]

I like the various enameled plates, cups, bowls, teapots, pots, etc.

And I mostly like them because they are retro and can't break.

I got them back in the 80s for all of the above reasons. We also still have and use our big canvas cabin-tent!

[Vedette]

We too Like Glass!
But we have nice plastic plates, real silverware, enamel mugs, and "Acrylic" wine glasses.
Yes we love wine.....and I like the right kind wine glass for the right kind (color) wine. But we "ARE" camping and found the removable stem (nesting) wine classes work just fine for us. When they get scuffed up and start to look like plastic we just buy new ones!
We did buy some coffee mugs at the Dam Gathering with Miss Piggy on them....but they broke on the next trip over the Humbolt Mountains! Guess I drive to fast over cattle guards.
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi