I’ve been camping with just a simple metal bowl and no plate, for the past 20+ years. The 800ml/27 fl.oz MSR Alpine Bowl is the the best all-around stainless steel bowl, and the bonus is that it stacks super efficiently. It also fits perfectly in your hand.
You can go fancy with titanium, but the weight difference is minimal for this piece of equipment.
Steel is easy to wash, BPA-free, can be put into the fire or on top of the grill, and ALL foods will fit into a bowl. You can also use a glove to hold and insulate the bowl if it is too hot.
A small pot is a good substitute, but a bowl generally has lower sides and rounder edges than a pot, which makes eating out of it more comfortable.
An 8″ folding handle skillet (also known as a “frying pan” with slanted sides) — from GSI Outdoors or Sea to Summit — also works well, just like the old cowboy movies showed ’em cowboys eatin’ beans. (I carry the GSI Pinnacle 8″ pan as part of my cook set – the coating makes for easy cleanup).
For those who want a very solid (but light weight) stainless steel option, and not worry about scratches, the 8″ Pathfinder pan is outstanding in terms of build quality and price, and comes with a lid. Remember, you can make a stainless steel pot or pan “non-stick” by seasoning it with oil, similar to how you would season a cast iron pan. This makes camping cleanup that much easier.
