Paper plates or real plates? What about utensils and glassware?

[cantdrv55]

Do you use disposable plates, cups and utensils or do you use the real deal and wash after every use? Lots of great sales going on now for Black Friday so I wondering if I should equip the AS like home or buy picnic supplies. How have you outfitted your cupboards?

[rmkrum]

Weight is a big factor, plus convenient clean up.

Melamine plates plus a small supply of paper plates. Good coffee cups, stainless steel silverware. Minimum number of settings.

Lightweight pots and pans for the most part, but one favorite cast iron skillet.

We carry a decent set of knives in a drawer with individual sheaths. Some serving tools and drainers, etc. All chosen for minimum size and light weight when possible.

Small sizes of staples, small containers of spices. Dry pasta, some tinned soup, but we typically shop locally if we need something.

Toiletries in small totes that fit into our wet bath, again small size bottles chosen to support trip duration.

We try for minimum clutter and typically use multi-tankers where possible.

Pet food is loaded for trip duration as well. We use baby carrots as treats for our dogs at home and on the road, but it's also people food.

We carry bottled water for dogs and people plus a comprehensive first aid kit for humans and doggies.


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[Msmoto]

Good quality unbreakable service for four supplemented by miscellaneous pieces. Flatware for six. Three each coffee, cappuccino, and espresso cups. I do not have any breakable on board at present. This varies by where I am headed.and who will be guests during the journey.

If needed I can carry extras in my TV.


Ms Tommie Lauer
Greensboro, NC
2015 Serenity 30 RB / 2008 Dodge Cummins 4 X 4
WBCCI #4165 AIR #31871

[Protagonist]

I have melamine plates and plastic bowls to eat from most of the time, but carry a supply of paper plates as well. I prefer to use stainless flatware rather than disposable plastic forks and spoons, and disposable plastic knives are a joke to cut a steak with so there's no substitute for good steel steak knives.

[Msmoto]

Oh, yes, the Chicago Cutlery steak knives...essential. And, one develops washing techniques which use minimal water if boon docking is your thrill.


Ms Tommie Lauer
Greensboro, NC
2015 Serenity 30 RB / 2008 Dodge Cummins 4 X 4
WBCCI #4165 AIR #31871

[Paddledipper]

Corelle dinnerware is what we use because it is a bit harder to break, lightweight and can be microwaved, if we should need to reheat our meal. Our first trip was spent trying to keep our paper plates from blowing off the picnic table as we ate outside so we decided immediately we wanted real plates. Picnic style metal silverware. Reusable plastic drinkware. Real ceramic coffee cups. We have to wash dishes after every meal, but it is worth it to us.

[Bruce B]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

I have melamine plates and plastic bowls to eat from most of the time, but carry a supply of paper plates as well. I prefer to use stainless flatware rather than disposable plastic forks and spoons, and disposable plastic knives are a joke to cut a steak with so there's no substitute for good steel steak knives.

Amen!
There is nothing like taking a bite of food and finding a broken tine from a plastic fork in your mouth either...
Bruce

[Lily&Me]

What everyone else said....both.

Bought a set of Corelle at WalMart for the first RV in 2002, and still have it.

Also have become big fans of paper french fry containers you can buy in different sizes and very inexpensively at Sam's, etc, or a restaraunt supply place. Great for leftovers, veggies, etc., as they have deep sides.


Maggie

[lsbrodsky]

We also use Corelle, Target silverware, Airstream Tervis Tumblers, and Airstream coffee mugs(big enough for soup also). We only use disposable stuff for rallies so we wash after every meal. I installed a 2 inch piece of upholstery foam, with cutouts for plates and glasses, in the overhead cabinet so bouncing around is not an issue.
Larry

[Twinke58]

I have vintage Tupperware and corlle plates. Light weight silverware to. Med. pot and pan. And yes one airstream mug.


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[Wayne&Sam]

We use paper only when trying to save water when boondocking.

[airdreamers]

Nothing worst then drinking a cup of coffee or tea from a paper cup, it's like going to Starbucks, Ugh! Depending on conditions the best thing we find is to use disposables when we can't wash and then permanent when full hookups are available.

[mandolindave]

I hear that some people let their dogs do the initial clean up of their real plates. Paper plates have their advantages, for when you are feeding a big crowd, they can disappear in a campfire, and are great for boon docking. I stock both real and disposable.

[BAB]

Service for 4 with Corelle. Stainless flatware for 6. Ceramic mugs, plastic glasses, including wine. Chinet paper plates (heavy duty, don't fold up when loaded with food). Prefer to use the real stuff rather than paper. Weight is an issue. May try out some unbreakable glassware this next season.

[AnnArborBob]

95% of the time we use real plates (Corelle and melamine.) The other 5% of the time we use paper plates if we are trying to conserve water. We always use real silverware and obviously real pots & pans. If we are trying to conserve the grey tank, we wash in plastic dish tubs and dump the wash/rinse water in the black tank or on the ground. We are two travelers but have a full setup for four. Guests bring their own dinner service.

[Bruce B]

I have this "thing" for real plates. It is kind of dumb but I like ceramic and glass much better than plastic. We suffer the chips and occasional breaks that happen and I enjoy eating off of real tableware.
Bruce

[AtomicNo13]

Paper plates and bowls for those times when water is an issue, Corelle unbreakable for the times that "real" matters. Real utensils always! We have purged all plastic from both units. Space and weight really not a factor....

[Tater]

Throw away plates bowls and utensils for regular use. Special meals we use fine China left by my Mother including coffee cups. We use regular silverware with the China.

[dkottum]

Setting for four of ceramic, glass, and silverplate (WWII vintage U.S. Navy) utensils. More than that is an outdoor picnic with paper and plastic, or for quick travel stops.

[AWCHIEF]

I am not roughing it. Real thing for me.