When it comes to washing dishes in the backcountry, there are many methods available to you to use. However, the method you choose will depend greatly upon the cookware you have, along with the resources you have available to you.
Water is probably going to be the major resource that you will need. As it will be used to rinse the food, dirt, and debris off of your cookware.
But given the fact, that backpacking typically requires you to only bring along the bare necessities that you will absolutely need. Such as items like food, drinking water, clothing… Etc. Now, some backpackers do carry along a small amount of extra water that they can spare for cleaning dishes and things alike. However, typically when you’re out in the backcountry you can’t really afford to use water for rinsing dishes. Especially if you will require a large amount of water.
This is where having a water source available to you will come in handy. A lake, river, or man-made water source can be highly favored. But they aren’t always available on the trail. Unless you have traveled the trail before, and you know that there will be a water source available to you for rinsing dishes and things alike. I would recommend you plan on using a small portion of your water for rinsing dishes.
Now, below we will be going over many methods that can be used in order to wash your dishes. Some will require both water and soap, but others will require very little of either. You see when it comes to backpacking, or camping the main issue that people run into is the fact that water is limited. Because of this it is ideal that you know some other methods for cleaning your dishes when water is scarce.
How To Do Dishes In The BackCountry (The Backpacker’s Guide)
Depending upon the resources that you will have access to, doing the dishes in the backcountry can be quite a struggle, or it can be just as easy as doing the dishes at home. It all just depends on the resources, and equipment you have access to.
But that’s not to say the washing your dishes can’t be done. Or should be avoided in any way. But rather that you should plan ahead and prepare, so that you have the know-how and the ability to clean your dishes when resources are scarce.
The method that most backpackers prefer to use for cleaning their dishes is to simply begin by cleaning your pot as thoroughly as possible by scraping the walls and bottom of your pan with A spoon. Then simply rinse with a small amount of water by using a swirling motion to get all the food debris off the walls and suspended in the water. Some prefer to drink this soup like solution, but others will simply drain the water and place the food particles and their garbage bag. You will repeat this process until the pan is clean and free from any food debris.
Setting Up A BackCountry Dish Wash Station!
Given that weight and space is a big factor I’m assuming that you will probably not be bringing a whole lot of items to clean your cookware. For this reason, you will either need to get creative with what nature has to offer by using leaves, grass, dirt, sand… And so on.
Ideally, it is best if you can set up camp, or your cooking station somewhere near a water source. But obviously depending on the location you have chosen to go backpacking you may or may not have access to a water source. If this is the case you will obviously have to use a small portion of the water you have packed in with you.
You will likely need some sort of scrub brush like feature. But this does not have to be a literal scrub brush. As you could use dirt, moss, sand, leaves… As scrubbers. However, a small scrub brush can definitely be useful in many cases.
Next, you will need to worry about drying your dishes, and possibly disinfecting them if you have used lake water, or river water to clean your dishes. We will be diving deeper into these topics later.
Washing Dishes With Lake / River water (Is It Safe?)
A question that has come up quite often is:
“Is it safe to wash dishes in lake, or river water?”
I found myself wondering this as well. But I was worried about it because of the bacteria and other dangers that could be lurking in the water when I go to rinse my dishes off? I’m assuming in most cases, it is ideal that you take care of disinfecting and/or sanitizing your cookware once you have finished rinsing it off in the river/lake.
Better to be safe than sorry in my opinion. We will be going over disinfecting and sanitizing cookware after you have cleaned it in a later section. But for now, the biggest takeaway is that you should be mindful when using the resources nature has provided for us when you are out backpacking.
A Cool Product you may want to check out on Amazon Is This Camp Kitchen Sink. It is basically a popup Kitchen sink that can be filled with water for rinsing your dishes! Kinda Brilliant in my opinion, and it doesn’t look to take up much space at all. However, I’ve never used it so I can’t say whether or not it’s Great. Nonetheless, I have seen many other backpackers using it, and its made by a well-known company in the industry!
Tools & Soaps For Consideration
As many of the items listed below can be found, or substituted with items that nature has to offer. However, to make things easy on yourself it may very well likely be a good idea to bring along some of the items listed below. But that does not mean that you have to bring along everything. Has everybody has their own personal preferences.
Before you decide what items you would like to take. I would suggest that you check out some of the methods for cleaning your pots and pans below, and select one or two of the methods that will best fit your situation, and/or preferences.
Once you have done so, come back up to this “tools & soaps” section and decide what items you will need in order to achieve the method listed below you have chosen.
Backpacking Dish Soaps
Though soap can be made in the wild by using some hardwood ash along with fats from an animal. It is typically a much easier and simpler method to just bring along your own dish soap.
Ideally, it is best if you can bring along dish soap that is biodegradable, or safe for the environment. And never rinse the soap off of your dishes in an open water source. As this will contaminate the water source.
Rather, it is best if you fill a separate water container with water from the river/lake and move to a location away from the water source so that you do not contaminate the water with any soap or other contaminants.
If you have intentions on bringing soap of any kind with you to clean your dishes, clothing or anything else? be sure to check out This Soap As it is ideal for camping or backpacking. Many backpackers swear by this stuff.
Backpacking Dish Scrub Brush/Pad
A small scrub brush is probably going to be one of the handiest items you have for cleaning your cookware. It will greatly help you when fighting that stuck on, crusty food that builds up around the sides and the bottom of most pans… Most can be cut into pieces small enough to where you basically won’t even know it’s there. But that greatly depends on the scrub brush you purchase, as obviously if you get one with a handle you won’t be able to cut it up. But I mean, why purchase a scrub brush that has a large handle as this will take up a lot of space.
Instead, opt for some kind of scrubbing pad.Because a scrub pad will provide you the ability to scrub your dishes thoroughly, but also it won’t take up a lot of space. Virtually none really has you will barely even realize it’s there. But again this all depends on the scrubbing pad you purchase. As some of them are thicker than others.
Me personally I prefer these Scrub Pads. As they are very thin a very durable and last me a long time. However, they may be too abrasive to be used on some Pots and Pans as the materials wear over time. If you are nervous about damaging your pots or pans give this Scrub pad a try, as it is a lot less abrasive, and will be much more gentle on the surface of your pots and pans.
Some backpackers like to use steel pan scrubbers, as these do a great job at fighting tough stuck on food. As well, they don’t tend to lock in food particles as much as the previously listed scrubbers.
Nonetheless, steel pan scrubbers otherwise know as Stainless Steel Scouring Pads which can be quite abrasive, as it is ideal to use them only on steel or stainless steel pans and things alike.
But always be sure to refer to your backpacking cookware owner’s manual before using any sort of abrasive scrubbers are things alike on them. As this could damage the pot or pan if you use the incorrect scrubber.
Though many pots and pans that are built for backpacking and camping are quite durable and able to withstand quite a bit of use. It is best to check with the manufacturer and make sure that the scrubber you intend to use will not damage the surface of the cookware.
Backpacking Dish Towel
When it comes to drying your cookware you could simply use a t-shirt, or go as far as bringing along a designated dish towel they’ll be used for only drying your dishes. Now it may seem like going over the top to some. However, bringing along a towel that is designated for drying off dishes is not a bad idea. That is, as long as you bring the proper towel to do so.
Obviously, you did not want to be bringing along a massive 2’ x 6’ foot towel first simply drying off your dishes. But simply a 12” x 12” inch cloth would work great for something like this. As it’s small enough that it won’t take up a lot of space. Yet large enough that you will be able to dry off your cookware thoroughly before it’s soaked.
However, the only downside to this tactic is the fact that you will then have to deal with a wet towel afterward. But you could simply toss it over your pack as you hike, or hang it up somewhere nearby around camp so that it can thoroughly dry.
Another simple idea that I think most will probably implement is simply placing your pots and pans by the fire. This will thoroughly dry your cookware after a short period of time, and could also disinfect/sanitize your cookware in the process. But in order to achieve this, you will need to have your cookware the proper distance away send the fire in order to achieve a temperature hot enough to wipe out all the bacteria
Obviously, there are other methods for drying off your cookware such as just leaving it out in the sun to air dry. Or by wiping it out with your shirt you were currently wearing… it’s all up to you as to how you go about doing this. Just make sure that you dry your dishes thoroughly before stacking them together and placing them back inside your pack. As any trapped moisture can cause mold and bacterial growth in the near future.
Dish Soap Alternatives Every Backpacker Should Know About
You have probably heard of natural methods for making soap in the wild. There is a tactic for making soap by using the ashes from the fire that has been burning or was burned the night before. Either way, you will need fine, white ashes as there is an element called lye that will need to be pulled from the ashes and mixed with some sort of animal fat. This process typically takes an extended period of time.
However, by simply taking a cup of ashes and dumping them in/on your pots and pans followed by scrubbing you can begin to cleanse and sanitize the surfaces of your cookware. But this is if you either have access to some animal fat or you just finished cooking a meal that had a decent amount of fat in it. The mixture of the fat and the ashes will begin to create a natural soap.
This method can be quiet messy but I’ve heard it does the job. I have never personally tried this as I typically just take a small portion of dish soap with me. However, it is definitely a good thing to know in a skill set to have if you ever do find yourself in a situation where you need soap. To learn more about making lye soap check out This Article. It will cover in detail the tactics and techniques for making this kind of soap.
Washing Dishes WITH Or WITHOUT Soap & Water
Like we discussed above, whether or not you have access to a water source near where you were going backpacking or not it is a great idea to know how to wash your dishes and cookware either way. This way you are not dependent upon one resource.
As, dirt, sand, leaves, grass…Etc are all so wonderful resources that can be used to clean your cookware and or dishes. And typically everywhere you turn when you’re out camping or backpacking you will see dirt, leaves, grass or at least something of that nature.
A little creativity can go a long way especially when you’re out in the backcountry. I mean, why do you think people throw dirt or sand on top of oil spills, or fuel spills? It’s because the dirt and/or sand absorbs the chemicals basically drying it up. So why wouldn’t it do the same with your oily cookware? Below we will be discussing all the different methods you have for cleaning your cookware. Anything from simple traditional methods, too far out un-thought of ideas… At least that’s the idea!
Doing Dishes With Soap & Water
Obviously, this is probably the most traditional method used by most. I mean you probably have washed your dishes recently at home with soap and water I’m assuming? Foremost there is really no need to describe this method. However, when it comes to washing your dishes the traditional way in the backcountry things can get a little interesting and or questionable.
For instance, when it comes to using soap especially in a natural water source you should never rinse your cookware directly in the water source as this will contaminate the overall lake or river that you are using for cleansing your dishes.
Rather it is ideal that you scoop up a bit of water into a bottle, or bucket of sorts, whether it be the cookware you plan to clean or a separate bottle you brought for the specific task. Then simply carry your dirty cookware, along with the bottle or bucket filled with water from the lake or river and put some distance between your dishwashing station and the water source. Before beginning the cleansing process of your cookware. This will help prevent any contamination of the natural water source.
Then simply use a small amount of water to rinse the food debris from your dish. Do this by switching the water in a swirling like motion around the bowl, pot, or pan, occasionally scrubbing the walls in the bottom of the cookware with your hand or scrubber.
Once you have obtained a clean surface you can then add soap and scrub to disinfect and/or sanitize the cookware.
But do note, if you are planning to use soap to sanitize the cookware be sure that you use clean water afterward to rinse. Otherwise, you will and up re-contaminating the surface of the cookware if you use the water from the nearby lake or river.
Nonetheless, if you do not I have extra water to spare you could always take a small portion of the nearby water source and bring it to a boil, this will wipe out any bacteria that may be lurking in the water, and to make for a great rinse solution. Especially given the fact that the water will be warm, as typically warm water is best to be used with soap vs cold.
Check out the video below to see a quick demonstration on the process of cleaning you dishes with natural water sources.
Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics
Continue onto the next page to learn the backcountry secrets for washing your dishes and cookware. Above we have gone over the traditional method for doing so. But it is from here on out where we begin to get into the true backcountry dishwashing techniques!