Instead of using ‘throw away’ dishes like paper plates, bring one large bowl for each person: this versatile ‘trough’ can be used for every meal. Add an insulated mug with a lid and a spork for a minimalist’s dining utensils.

Keep your kitchen set up simple and easy to clean. Basic items include a table, cook stove, wash tub, spritzer, and water jug. Bring a few pots and pans, a tea kettle, and some utensils. If you forget the can opener, borrow one from your neighbor!

Washing dishes is a pain on the playa. Avoid dirtying up dishes. Eat finger foods, share a plate with your friend, eat out of the pan.

Flip-lid plastic bins are an easy way to store your food and dishes: some dust will get in, but not too much. A small hammock or mesh bag is useful for drying dishes or storing lightweight food stuffs. Avoid leaving bread in the sun: it will quickly mold.

Set up your camp so it’s easy to get to the cold beverages. Keep a jug of water handy in the shade near your parlor. If you want ice in your drinks, make sure the ice is clean: don’t fish ice out of coolers that also contain raw meats, etc.

Dry out your wet trash in a bucket with a screen top: this helps to prevent stinky trash. Don’t let trash blow away: keep it corralled or covered at all times.

It’s easier to prevent litter than to pick it up later.

How to organize a communal kitchen:

http://www.burningman.com/preparation/event_survival/kitchens.html

Dish-washing/kitchen clean up hints from an AEZ thread:

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Our “kitchen” is amazingly small so it’s hard to imagine bringing less stuff: one backpacker’s single-burner stove, one pot, two bowls, two spoons, one cutting board, one knife, one peeler, one can opener. We don’t even have a tub for doing dishes because we rinse and wipe everything clean of grub immediately and then rinse the dust off again before use. I only use soap on the cutting board & knife after prepping something with fat like cheese.

Playa dust must have some magical antibacterial properties. Seriously, I don’t hide my stuff from the playa–it’s in an open crate (or on the table!). I really believe that keeping everything super dry is the key and how easy that is to do in the desert!

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Use a pump up sprayer for washing dishes: spritz dishes right after eating and then wipe with paper towel or rag.

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I discovered the spritz method last year too! I let a couple of things dry in the sun and then just scrape them clean. I too think that playa dust has some magical cleaning powers! Haven’t gotten sick yet.

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We cooked some rather messy meals last year, and then made the mistake of letting the pots and pans ‘soak’ in a bucket. of course, by the time we got around to washing the dishes, the soak water had turned to hazardous waste! No more soaking the dishes!

Instead of using ‘throw away’ dishes like paper plates, bring one large bowl for each person: this versatile ‘trough’ can be used for every meal. Add an insulated mug with a lid and a spork for a minimalist’s dining utensils.Keep your kitchen set up simple and easy to clean. Basic items include a table, cook stove, wash tub,

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