Enamelware toxic? Toddler ware suggestions?

[IrelandsMama]

I'm looking for some camping dishes to use around my house for my toddler since I would rather not use plastic or breakables. So I was checking out the coleman enamelware. I looked up what enamel is made of and it said feldspar, borax and quartz. I'm thinking that borax is probably not such a great thing to be ingesting. Does anyone know how toxic is it and if we really are ingesting it if we eat off it? Its not like I'm going to cook with these dishes, but rather serve hot foods on them. Any ideas?

Sav

[janerose]

We have some enamelware, but mostly we use the unenameled tinware. Those blue or red dishes (usually with white speckles). We LOVE them! They don't break. You can't chip them like you can with enamelware. They are pretty much stick resistant. You can use a metal scrubbie on them no problem. They are light. They stack super tight (much more compact than even corning ware). They are not crazy expensive. We get ours at Gander Mtn in the camping section. Now is the time of year they'll really start stocking that stuff in camping sections. Even Walmart, Target, etc usually have some.

No idea about the toxicity of enamelware. Will be interested to see what kind of replies you get. My main cooking pot is enameled cast iron, as are several of our mugs.

Another good source of sturdy dishes are jam jars. We found a brand we really love & they make the best glasses. Nice thick glass that is hard to break or chip. Food grade obviously! We've been buying that jam for 4 years now & we have a set of 8.