The best dinner set for caravanning depends on what you value most:
- Corelle is best for people who want a “real plate” feel but still need durability and space-saving.
- Melamine is best for families and anyone who wants lightweight, near-unbreakable plates.
- Bamboo fibre sets are best for budget-friendly, lightweight options, but they can scratch.
- Enamel is best for old-school toughness and campfire vibes, but it can chip and get noisy in cupboards.
If you want something lightweight that also looks good on the table, newer compostable-style ranges like Daisy Graze can be worth a look.
A question that comes up frequently in our group – Planning a Lap of Australia – is, what is the best dinner set to use for caravanning? Generally speaking, most people use one of the following three types – Corelle, Melamine or Bamboo. Very few people choose to use china or crockery sets because of their weight and the likelihood of breakages when using their
Who This Guide Is For
- Big Lap travellers trying to reduce weight and breakages
- Families with kids who drop everything
- Couples upgrading from mismatched plates
- If you are sick of cupboard rattles, stains, and chipped sets
Quick Pick: Choose Your Caravan Dinnerware In 20 Seconds
- If you want the closest thing to home plates → Corelle
- If you want light + hard to break → Melamine
- If you want eco-leaning + light → Bamboo fibre or PLA-style sets
- If you want campfire durability + nostalgia → Enamel
- If you hate rattling → choose anything + add non-slip shelf liner
What Matters Most In A Caravan Dinner Set
Weight and storage space
In a caravan, every kilo counts and cupboard space disappears fast. Thin, stackable plates take up less room and reduce overall payload, which matters if you’re touring long-term or already close to weight limits. Bulky sets look nice in-store but become a pain to store on the road.
Breakage risk and safety
Things move in a caravan, even when you think they’re packed well. Plates that chip or shatter easily create mess, safety risks, and frustration mid-trip. That’s why most caravanners avoid traditional crockery and lean towards materials designed to survive corrugations, potholes and rough roads.
Noise in cupboards (the rattle factor)
Cupboard rattling drives people mad, especially on long driving days. Some materials knock loudly against each other, while others are quieter and more forgiving. Even the best dinner set benefits from non-slip matting, but starting with lighter, less brittle plates helps reduce noise straight away.
Knife scratching and stains
Some dinner sets show wear very quickly, especially if you use steak knives or cook sauces regularly. Scratches not only look messy, they can also trap food stains over time. If you’re cooking most meals in the van, choose plates that cope with everyday use, not just the occasional weekend away.
Microwave and dishwasher use
Realistically, most caravanners use the microwave and dishwasher more than they expect. Some materials can’t be microwaved at all, while others handle reheating and cleaning without issues. Knowing what you can and can’t safely use saves time and avoids accidentally ruining your dinnerware.
Grip and non-slip (especially for kids)
Plates that slide easily are more likely to end up on the floor, particularly when kids are involved. A bit of grip, weight balance, or a non-slip base makes a big difference when eating outside, on uneven ground, or at a slightly wobbly campsite table.
Caravan Dinner Sets: Quick Comparison
| Type | Best for | Microwave safe | Break risk | Scratch risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glass laminate | People wanting a “real plate” feel with better durability | Yes | Low–medium | Low | Thin, stackable, quieter than china but still glass |
| Melamine | Families, kids, lightweight travel | No | Very low | Medium | Very light and tough, but shows knife marks over time |
| Bamboo fibre | Budget-conscious, eco-leaning travellers | No | Medium | Medium–high | Lightweight and stain-resistant, quality varies |
| Enamel | Campfire use, nostalgia, rugged travel | No | Medium (chips) | Low | Can chip and rattle, heavier than other options |
| PLA / compostable | Lightweight + modern look | Yes | Very low | Low | Drop-resistant, quiet in cupboards, newer option |
So which one of the three four is the best
We say four as there is now a new kid on the block and it’s the newest option we’ve tested and it’s become my pick for caravanners who want lightweight tableware that still looks good on the table. Introducing…
Daisy Graze Caravan Dinnerware
Daisy Graze is the brainchild of local Brisbane-based businesswoman Janelle who loves travelling and adventuring as much as you do. Janelle searched for eco-conscious, ocean-friendly and high-quality dinnerware to take caravanning and camping. As the type of dinnerware she was looking for didn’t exist and seeing a huge gap in the market, she set about designing and creating her own.
The earth-friendly grazing range is 100% compostable, freezer, dishwasher and microwave safe. With the added bonus of anything in the range also being drop-proof. Daisy Graze is like all your old favourite camping dinner sets rolled into one! Plus it looks so much better in the soft pastel shades of Peach, Marine, Lilac and Cloud.
The Daisy Graze products are made from a bioplastic called Polylactic Acid (PLA). PLA is made from renewable sources such as bamboo, wheat, cornstarch and potatoes. Not only are all the products Biodegradable they are also fully compostable and don’t have a coating!
Not only that the range has no PVC, BPA, melamine, mercury, lead or phthalates. The resin used to bind all the products together is also food grade. How cool is that?
Another huge bonus for caravanners and campers is that the PLA is super lightweight and won’t weigh down your caravan, camper or 4×4. And if you have kiddos, it’s easy for them to pick up and carry. Did I mention there’s a little grazers (kids) range too?
Other items in the range include a 4-place dinner set with 4 dinner plates, 4 side plates, 4 bowls and 4 beakers. You can also buy crockery and each of the plates, bowls and beakers are sold individually.
Like any dinner set, the best choice still depends on how you travel and what you value most.
Click here for more information and the price for Daisy Graze Dinnerware
Corelle Dinner Set Australia
Corelle dinnerware for caravans is made of a three-layer thermally bonded glass laminate called Vitrelle glass and is one of the most popular caravan dinner sets. The Corelle
PRO’S
- Light Weight
- Chip and Crack Resistant
- Thin, so takes up less space
- It comes in both round and square
- It comes in a variety of patterns
- Microwave, oven, refrigerator, freezer and dishwasher safe
- Doesn’t stain
- Scratch-resistant
- Moderately priced
CONS
- Heavier than either Melamine or Bamboo
- Will still break if dropped on hard surfaces
- Reports of cups being of poorer quality
Melamine Dinner Sets For Caravan
Melamine is an organic-based, nitrogen-rich compound used to manufacture cooking utensils, plates, plastic products, and more. Melamine is also a favourite for crockery for caravans.
Some melamine products may contain small amounts of BPA but the FDA considers them safe for use. However, it does caution against using melamine products in the microwave.
PRO’S
- Very lightweight
- Comes in a huge variety of colours and patterns
- Available in round and square
- Virtually unbreakable
- Inexpensive
CONS
- Can scratch
- Can’t be used in microwave
- Not as ‘nice’ to eat off
Bamboo Dinner Sets For Caravan
The only relatively new addition to the market is Bamboo tableware. Bamboo is a sustainably grown fibre that amongst other things is naturally anti-bacterial. Most Bamboo dinnerware products are made from Bamboo fibre, resin and cornstarch and are all BPA-free.
Bamboo is fast becoming a popular caravan crockery choice for many caravanners. However, these types of plates for
PRO’S
- Eco-friendly
- Come in a variety of colours and patterns
- Available in square or round
- Lightweight dinner sets for
caravan - Durable
- Doesn’t stain
- Dishwasher safe
- Inexpensive to moderately priced
CONS
- Not microwave safe
- May scratch
- May break if dropped
ENAMEL DINNER SET CAMPING
An oldie but a goodie are the blue enamel camping dishes. If you did any camping back in the day when you were camping with your parents, no doubt you would have come across this type of camping crockery.
They have been “updated” from the old white with blue trim and there is even a complete enamel cookware set.
If you are like me one of the first questions I asked was: “Is enamel camping crockery safe to use?” Thankfully the answer is yes it is! No harmful fumes are released from the surface when heated making enamel crockery non-toxic. Plus, enamel crockery and cookware are made by fusing metal with a type of glass.
What We Have
Mel and Brenden’s (All Around Oz former owners) dinner set consisted of bamboo
Kev and I will use the Daisy Graze dinner set in Cloud…to match the van, whenever it’s delivered (18 months since ordering and counting!) 😊 Update: It’s now here! (Jan 2023).
If you’re full-time, prioritise durability over looks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best dinner set for caravanning in Australia?
The best dinner set for caravanning is lightweight, stackable, quiet in cupboards and hard to break. Most caravanners choose between Corelle, melamine, bamboo or newer lightweight eco-style sets, depending on whether they prioritise durability, weight or microwave use.
Is Corelle good for caravans?
Yes, Corelle is popular with caravanners because it’s thinner and lighter than traditional crockery and doesn’t chip easily. That said, it can still break if dropped on a hard surface, so it’s not completely indestructible.
Can you microwave melamine plates?
No, melamine should not be used in the microwave. Heating melamine can cause damage to the plate and may release chemicals, so it’s best used only for serving cold or room-temperature food.
Do bamboo caravan plates scratch?
Yes, bamboo plates can scratch, especially if you use sharp knives regularly. Higher-quality bamboo tends to hold up better, but over time most bamboo sets will show knife marks.
How do you stop plates rattling in a caravan?
The easiest fix is using non-slip drawer liner or foam matting between plates. Choosing lightweight, thinner plates also helps reduce rattling, as does packing cupboards tightly so items can’t move while driving.
We hope this post has helped you decide which
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With years of experience travelling Australia in a caravan, I’m passionate about helping others embark on their own unforgettable adventures. From off-grid camping tips to expert advice on planning the ultimate big lap of Australia, I share stories, practical hacks, and inspiration to make your journey stress-free and exciting. Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or just starting out, join me as I explore the beauty of Australia, one road at a time!
We have Melamine dinner ware in our van and I was very disappointed at the tea stains in the cups . I seem to have to be soaking them frequently to keep them stain free. Otherwise it’s very good.
Thanks for all great advice and helpful information I will definitely looking in.to Corelle dinners ett and a lot more goodies that will come along Me and my husband just bought our caravan and will be travelling around Australia in mid next year,but before that we be doing small trips around NSW and we feel a bit like greenhorns so all advice will come in handy Thanks from Ulla and Bruce
Definitely need to check out daisygraze.com/ALLAROUNDOZ10 it’s eco friendly, microwave safe, lightweight and drop proof!
Thanks Janelle
We love Daisy Graze, it ticks all the boxes for caravanning and camping! Our readers can grab a 10% discount by using ALLAROUNDOZ at checkout.
Thanks for sharing such info! And I want to share my opinion that CORELLE is the best one.
Thanks Robert
thanks for sharing the info!! I am thinking of buying a bento box to the office!
You are welcome!
Corelle is the best one. Others are also good.
Yes, it’s all a personal choice
What about food grade silicone? From what I’m reading its meant to be really good? Light weight, collapsible or stackable.
I’m also new to this too we are just setting our new van,what sort of dinner set is the best I don’t like plastic so if you could help me out also would I need anymore than a frying pan and a couple of saucepans we will probably do a lot of cooking outside on the BBQ any hints on what we need would be good,thanks
We have bamboo plates but have been a bit disappointed that they scratched really easily. We have 2 small saucepans and a wok style frypan. Otherwise we just use our Weber pans.