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Bamboo dinner sets - hard to find.

18ME

18ME

VIP Member
Messages
193
Location
Worcestershire
Vehicle
T6.1 Ocean 204
I’ve been trying to find a bamboo dinner set but there seems to be very little choice. I did like the Vango stripe set but they no longer do it, or any other bamboo set that I can see. Didn’t really want melamine and the only bamboo sets I can find are children’s sets. Does anyone know of anywhere that sells bamboo sets or even separates?
 
18ME said:
I’ve been trying to find a bamboo dinner set but there seems to be very little choice. I did like the Vango stripe set but they no longer do it, or any other bamboo set that I can see. Didn’t really want melamine and the only bamboo sets I can find are children’s sets. Does anyone know of anywhere that sells bamboo sets or even separates?
Click to expand...
I wouldn’t recommend eating food out of products made from bamboo.
 
It does seem to be only the composite material that they warn about:

“The FSA’s advice does not apply to items made solely from bamboo or plant-based materials, only those products which use a combination of plastic and plant filler”.

Aluminium is big scare too, which the industry is keen to hush up:

docmalik.com

#155 - Discussions With Mr Aluminium - Doc Malik

-
docmalik.com docmalik.com
 
Last edited:
Ch1pbutty said:
This is why:

www.food.gov.uk

Notice to retailers: Plastic containers or utensils containing bamboo

Businesses are being told that they should not be selling plastic containers or utensils which contain bamboo and other plant-based materials, as the FSA launches a call for evidence on their safety
www.food.gov.uk www.food.gov.uk
Click to expand...

A good find and makes sense when you see this:

"The FSA’s advice does not apply to items made solely from bamboo or plant-based materials, only those products which use a combination of plastic and plant filler."
 
‘
yossarian said:
A good find and makes sense when you see this:

"The FSA’s advice does not apply to items made solely from bamboo or plant-based materials, only those products which use a combination of plastic and plant filler."
Click to expand...

Most camping plates made by Vango etc are a bamboo / plastic combo.

We have had ours for years, probably more at risk from standing outside a pub next to a smoker / vaper… after drinking 10 pints of organic beer!
 
I now understand why there is very little about. I’m surprised that I didn’t know anything about this before as I own a cookshop, but I rarely see reps now as I mainly work from home. Although I know some of our suppliers use to offer a lot more bamboo products and when I had a look at some of the online catalogues there were a lot less bamboo now than before.

I’m not sure I want to eat and drink from melamine so may use porcelain or china and pack them carefully. What do most campervaner’s use?
 
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Out of interest, why the resistance against melamine? We have a melamine "dinner set" (bought for tent camping years ago and like much of that stuff, now is part of the van kit) and while it's not "quite" like ceramic, they're solid, look nice, easy to clean and tough.
 
We looked at all these and decided they were not environmental. The "bamboo" moniker, like melamine are just dressing up for plastic. Something has to bind the bamboo together, and it's usually melamine. In the end we have normal plates and have felt dividers between them to stop clanking.
 
RockinNRollin said:
Out of interest, why the resistance against melamine? We have a melamine "dinner set" (bought for tent camping years ago and like much of that stuff, now is part of the van kit) and while it's not "quite" like ceramic, they're solid, look nice, easy to clean and tough.
Click to expand...
Just depends on your reaction to plastic. We wanted to be more environmental, to others it's not an issue.
 
Stainless steel is a much better option, for example, the Snow Peak tableware set :thumb
 
This whole area is fraught with danger for me. Certainly, single use plastic and disposable items should be avoided wherever possible but we still use our melamine dinner set in the camper, as throwing it away when it does the job seems even more damaging to the environment. Durable plastic items that last for years can be better environmental choices than high energy products like ceramic or metal and you never know how "food grade" they are. I am still blaming my old aluminium pans and Teflon for my acute loss of brain cells. So, perhaps you should all ignore my ramblings.
 
ivan & jill said:
This whole area is fraught with danger for me. Certainly, single use plastic and disposable items should be avoided wherever possible but we still use our melamine dinner set in the camper, as throwing it away when it does the job seems even more damaging to the environment. Durable plastic items that last for years can be better environmental choices than high energy products like ceramic or metal and you never know how "food grade" they are. I am still blaming my old aluminium pans and Teflon for my acute loss of brain cells. So, perhaps you should all ignore my ramblings.
Click to expand...
I would be more concerned about melamine damaging me than the environment. Yes, I agree it’s best to avoid aluminium pans and damaged Teflon surfaces. I still think stainless steel is the best option for cookware, and the Snow Peak stainless tableware is top notch, and a pleasure to use.
 
The Rice melamine stuff (mentioned above) is excellent quality, been using two years not a mark on any plates, bowls or beakers. They feel nice and are fine in dishwasher for a deep clean every now and then. Not cheap but think they will last as long as the van!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
RockinNRollin said:
Out of interest, why the resistance against melamine? We have a melamine "dinner set" (bought for tent camping years ago and like much of that stuff, now is part of the van kit) and while it's not "quite" like ceramic, they're solid, look nice, easy to clean and tough.
Click to expand...
Nothing against the fact it’s melamine, I think it’s just the noise they make with the cutlery although appreciate there are different qualities.

Had a quick look at some Koziol plates and bowls earlier so may order some of these but if I don’t like them I’ll just sell them in the shop ;)
 
Kayleigh said:
I would be more concerned about melamine damaging me than the environment. Yes, I agree it’s best to avoid aluminium pans and damaged Teflon surfaces. I still think stainless steel is the best option for cookware, and the Snow Peak stainless tableware is top notch, and a pleasure to use.
Click to expand...
I think that aluminium pans and the effect on the brain have been disproved. Unless you are hit on the head by the pan.
 
Georgeo said:
I think that aluminium pans and the effect on the brain have been disproved. Unless you are hit on the head by the pan.
Click to expand...
I don’t think so, according to the podcast I posted above, more likely the industry has bought the ‘approval’. A bit like Pfizer and the rest of big Pharma did for their toxins.
 
18ME said:
I’ve been trying to find a bamboo dinner set but there seems to be very little choice. I did like the Vango stripe set but they no longer do it, or any other bamboo set that I can see. Didn’t really want melamine and the only bamboo sets I can find are children’s sets. Does anyone know of anywhere that sells bamboo sets or even separates?
Click to expand...
I have the bamboo Vango set that I'm looking to sell if you're interested..?20240129_124706.jpg20240129_124749.jpg20240129_124927.jpg
 
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We use Corelle. It's made in the USA out of glass. It's not cheap but much nicer than melamine to eat from and really light. Check it out.
 
We use Corelle. It's made in the USA out of glass. It's not cheap but much nicer than melamine to eat from and really light. Check it out.
 
Viktorgeorge said:
It does seem to be only the composite material that they warn about:

“The FSA’s advice does not apply to items made solely from bamboo or plant-based materials, only those products which use a combination of plastic and plant filler”.

Aluminium is big scare too, which the industry is keen to hush up:

docmalik.com

#155 - Discussions With Mr Aluminium - Doc Malik

-
docmalik.com docmalik.com
Click to expand...
How do you make a plate out of bamboo without using “glue”?
 
We use blue enamel plates and bowls which we've had for ages, I think they came from Wilko's. We do have China mugs and proper glasses though.
 
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