The classic tin plated steel pie tin is a great old-school item. The aluminum version was more common but the traditional, late 60s, solution for a mess kit was to use a Frisbee as a plate/trencher. Completely unbreakable, deep enough for stews, and it does double-duty as a toy and sand shovel. The later point working out well for digging a fire and beer pits on a sandy beach. A quick rinse in the surf and it is ready for food.

You may want to check out the Sea to Summit Delta plate its pretty much a nylon frisbee.


http://www.rei.com/product/782972/sea-to-summit-delta-plate

Friend of mine uses an old and very beat up 8" x 1-1/2" pizza pan similar to this one. He swears by it even though he complains all the time about the heat transfer when used with hot foods...

Does anyone else keep the lower end items and purchase them as quick replace backups? For instance I have a beautiful 10$ Stainless Steel Plate and as a backup a 1$ unidentified alloy plate, It stated stainless steel on the label but it feels more like aluminum I honestly cant put my finger on which it could be.

I would go for a metal plate rather than plastic as a metal plate can also be used for cooking such as baking with a reflector oven. The snowpeak titanium plates are excellent being corrosion resistant and extremely durable. The additional cost over a plastic plate may well be offset by the additional flexibility and long term use it will provide. Traditional bake ware is off course available at your local superstore but these tend to be over sized and heavy for backpacking.

You can also make some of your own gear as well to save money.

http://www.kayak2go.com/reflectoroven.PDF