What do you use as dinnerware?  I am currently looking at buying a set of Melamine square plates, side plates and bowls for the van.  Have heard that Corelle is better - your opinions please!

Hi there.  It's a matter of weight and space vs "style" and practicality. I use correlle because my van is my home, and if I have guests for a meal it's nice to serve up on a nice plate. If you're camping and holidaying for short bursts, I suppose melamine is more durable but it does go brittle after a few years, and breaks up. I can't say I've seen corning, and then it's just a matter of price. Safe travels.

we use the "seconds" out of the house, as the main set gets used some pieces invariably get broken so we just chuck the rest in the camper, we dont like the "square" noritake type they tend to get broken or chipped easily and dont like being turned in the wash bowl, it's a matter of choice, we have good sets at home so we like good sets out there, why comprimise on plastic rubbish same as wine or whiskey glasses, it just aint the same out of plastic, if it breaks, big deal, get another one

Dave, practical as always!  Never gave a thought to washing up square plates in a round sink!  My only concern was the weight of the dinnerware but as hubby has pointed out, we are not out to have dinner parties which neccesitates lots of crockery.  I think we will take the stuff from home.  I was always going to take "proper" glassware.

just make sure you take a couple extra, never know when we ERR!!! UMMMM!!! somebody may drop by!! dont grab the small ones, the tucker runs off them and the bigger plates "sit" in the lap a lot better, you dont have to fill the big plates up and they hold the small meals just fine, if you can grab a couple of those "stable tables" they are great because they have enough room for your glass as well as plate and knife and fork, and dont tip over readily, and dont tell me that you are going to eat at "the table" all the time because I know you wont it's the same with cutlery those thin horrible k-mart cheapys are shocking, basically if you wouldnt use it at home why would you use it out there, try it in your hand first before you buy it, dont like it, dont buy it, comfort is everything when camping or caravanning, you may, if you wish, "rough it" but I guarantee you will not do it for long, bravado at the camping store soon diminishes in the real world of long rainy drizzly days, nothing dry, no dry spot to eat at, comfort rules O.K. I dont give a rats backside what anyone says, if you are not comfortable you are not going to enjoy yourself, if you dont enjoy yourself you are not going to stay!!

This site never ceases to amaze me! everytime I think of something to ask on here someone does it for me.........my next questions was dinner sets...........having spoken to lots of travellers they do recommend using the plasitc which hubby was against I think I have managed to change his mind but he insists on drinking hot tea/coffee from a REAL cup, hastes the taste of plastic, but as someone pointed out there is only two of you so you could take two plates, two bowls etc from home, should we entertain Davo I would assume he would bring his own chair, plate, knife, fork, glass etc so we don't have to cater for our guests??

ohhhh!!!! Geeeeezzzzz!!! I hate bring my own, all that stuff to carry, all the grog bottles tend to be slippery, and the esky gets so damn heavy, chair I understand but knife, plate, fork, and glass gawd luv a duck!!! thats a bit rough, what are we having first before I undertake such a huge shift as for plastic Yuuucckkk!!! I feed my little doggies off plastic and thats about all it's good for, have you ever looked into the knife cut marks through a microscope, I guarantee you would never eat off plastic again if you did, doesnt matter how thoroughly you wash them, thats why you should use a timber cutting board and not one of those plastic thingys, germs, germs and more germs, just a little kitchen advice one o one!! and stop being such a sook because someone beat you at posting something, bloody cry baby!!! boo!! hoo!! hoo!!

damnnn!!! out classed again, hate when that happens!! yeah you are right, we bring our own but usually after meals then it's only drinky poo's and a chair and the dragon doesnt mind carrying them too far!! and I give great moral support all the way mostly people come to our camp so havent really had to cart all the gear around, never really thought about it before, shame on me HMMMPHHHH!!! indeed, I shall rummage through the dragons best & finest, bring out on sunday after meeting, bestest plates and THEN we will see who's doggies are slumming it!!! I still reckon you're a sooky la!! la!!

The dragon must surely thank her lucky stars every day for being blessed with such a thoughtful, caring human being..............giving her moral support while she carries the chairs........oh my! what a lucky woman!!!!

eternally gratefull one would suspect!!

reminds you of that email thats floting around, man walking with one bottle while partner (wife) carres the slab , good on yer mate