How to Wash Dishes While Camping in the Backcountry
MSR Team
Creative cooking over a stove is one of the joys of outdoor adventure. What to do with the leftovers, food waste and dirty dishes—the gray water—is a different matter. That's why we've put together these tips on how to wash dishes while camping and other ideas for keeping it clean in the backcountry.
Photo by Willie Woodward
When you’re in a backcountry environment, eating all the food on your plate is one of the most basic steps toward reducing food waste and human impact on the environment. “The key thing to keep in mind is to smartly plan your meals in advance to reduce waste and minimize clean up,” says Ben Lawhon, education director for the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. The LNT center is the leading organization promoting responsible enjoyment of the outdoors; it provides science-based techniques for minimizing visitor impact on parks and protected areas. “Pre-planning such as cooking with one pot instead of using three pots for meals and preparing the right portion sizes will reduce waste and reduce the amount of dishes that need to be cleaned.”
Dirty dishes are often unavoidable so when it’s time to wash up. Leave No Trace recommends using methods that are appropriate for the environment you’re visiting in order to protect water sources and minimize the chance of providing food rewards to local wildlife that may alter their natural habits.
Photo by Colin Wiseman
Photo by Willie Woodward
3 Tips for washing dishes in the backcountry
You’re in the backcountry. You’ve eaten a meal. There’s a dirty bowl, a dirty spoon, and a dirty pot. Now what do you do?1. Scrape It and Pack It
Scrape any remaining food from all dishes into the trash that you’ll be packing out. You can almost get a bowl entirely clean with a small spatula, a tool like the MSR Alpine Dish Brush, or a camp towel. If you have a dog along, put them to work for you! Photo by Colin Wiseman2. Heat It and Strain It
Heat filtered water over a stove. Take the water and dishes at least 200 feet from water sources—approximately 70 adult paces. With a scrub pad or something similar, use the hot water to clean the dishes. If possible, collect the wash water, also known as gray water, into a single pot. Strain the gray water into a single pot using mesh, a bandana or a plastic bag with straining holes cut in it to capture food residue. Dump the food residue into the trash that you’re planning to pack out. Get rid of the gray water by digging a sump hole (6-8-inch-deep hole) and straining the water into the hole (recommended in bear country), or broadcast it around in multiple directions, scattering to ensure the liquid is spread over a wide area. Location is key. Keep gray water 200’ away from water sources like streams, springs and lakes. Ridgelines and hills are good.
