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Eat, Drink and be Merry with this all in one food and drink assist system.  Everyone loves outdoor finger foods but with one hand holding a plate, and another holding a drink, there are no fingers available to actually get food to your mouth.

The worst things about outdoor eating...not enough hands.
Outdoor eating by nature is a mobile event.  As you move about, circulating amongst the guests (or fellow campers), it can be difficult keeping track of where you left your burger and Kool-aid.

It sure would be nice to keep both the vittles & venom in a single hand.

Make a Volcano Picnic Plate that combines food and drink into a single convinent carrying module.
It truly is, a "Handy" way to carry all your refreshments; wet & dry, while leaving a hand free for eating.  No need for a table.  This set-up keeps all your food mobile, so you can actually eat on the go, as you wander about.

Use it with conventional glass bottles for a quick empty "cartridge" replacement. Or use a wide mouth refillable drink container; very practical for camping. 

Camping Aid
In addition to outdoor entertaining, there are various adapations that make this system a versatile outdoor camping essential.
A dedicated wide bottom container (like a sports drink bottle or a traditional campers water bottle) creates a pedestal to keep a plate full of food up-off the ground.
This is especially useful when camping with our Boy Scout troop in the back woods; where picnic tables tend to be rather scarce. 


This is an easy to make project that is a great extra hand at camp.
You can eat while standing, when tables are scarce, and yet, set your food down, up off the ground, to tend to the fire.
This Instructable is entered in the Summer Camping Contest.  If you like it, be sure to vote. Thanks.
 
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Step 1: Lend a hand

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Don't be anchored to a picnic table, the Volcano Picnic Plate keeps you mobile while keeping your food, drink, and utensils in check.

Anyone who's loaded up at a buffet line while trying to hold a plate and a cup knows there is no easy way to put mustard on a burger without finding room to set something down. Something's gotta go. If you're lucky, there are a few inches of clear table space to set your drink down; if not, you're out of luck.   

Keep a hand free by using this Instructable to make Volcano Picnic Plates; with a variety of different plates and hole sizes to acccomodate your beverage container of choice.
 
Although  various style containers can be used, there are two main application methods:  

Method 1:  Dedicated Container (preferred) - With this method, the volcano plate is sized for a reusable  wide mouth sports drink bottle. (photo 1) Fill the bottle with your favorite beverage and ice, and slide the plate over the mouth of the bottle. A cap, with a straw hole, screws onto the bottle to hold the plate in place.  With this method, the plate is held securly to the bottle.  Just lift the straw to drink.

The advantage of this method is that the wider bottle can be used as a pedestal to elevate the plate when the bottle & plate unit is set on the ground.  Also, because the two are securely attached together you can hold the plate without the bottle dropping out.

Method 2: Loose Bottle - This method allows for quick bottle removal for drinking, and empty change-out. (photo 2)  Quick release of the bottle for drinking means that the bottle is always in hand. (You cannot hold the plate only; the bottle will slip out.)
Also, the plate and bottle should not be set down together. The narrow base of the bottle will not keep a plate with food from tipping over.

Method 2 is fine for back yard bar-b-que's where a new bottle can be grabbed from the cooler however, for camping, I prefer the screw cap water bottle from Method 1; with a secure plate that can be set down, up off the ground.

rokclmb says: Jan 31, 2013. 7:28 PM
That's an awesome idea!
WorkingGunn says: Jan 31, 2013. 12:08 PM
very clever and clear instructable.
Solskinner says: Dec 30, 2011. 2:24 PM
Wow, I love this! This is soooo cool.
StupidGenius says: Oct 6, 2011. 7:43 PM
Outstanding. Should have won first place in the contest. Boo judges! Love you bottle stove as well. Keep em coming matey.
ilpug says: Sep 11, 2011. 9:42 AM
I like it, but i would use a longer straw so i dont have to put my face in my food for a sip.
Anna Boone says: Aug 24, 2011. 9:34 AM
This has to be one of the most useful ideas I've seen in a long time. I could see having these for parties as there is never enough room to set your drink down and plate of food.
Puzzledd says: Aug 22, 2011. 1:52 AM
Very clever idea, and thorough instructions- good one!!
triumphman says: Aug 19, 2011. 5:54 PM
Just had a thought- Could I use a super large frizbee for the plate ? Yea! I'm getting one ASAP and making me one! Awesome Dude! You saved my picnic bacon!
Treknology says: Aug 19, 2011. 2:08 PM
Nice little project, and far more effective than spontaneously evolving into something with three hands that is entirely unable to drink coffee.
oilitright says: Aug 19, 2011. 2:06 PM
I have a hunch that sometime in the future we'll be seeing an infomercial hawking this on television at 3AM in the morning.
joyewils says: Aug 18, 2011. 4:45 PM
I just love this instructable. So, so clever. Can't wait to try it out.
Barbrykost says: Aug 18, 2011. 1:16 PM
This is just brilliant. I am awestruck. Parties don't have to limited to table seating anymore.
vbanaszak says: Aug 18, 2011. 1:03 PM
Very cool! This is brilliant!
palombo5050 says: Aug 18, 2011. 11:26 AM
Very clever idea. You have my vote. I was going to enter something, but not now. Easy to make, inexpensive, inovative, practical, reusable (Green), and I'm sure there are other words to describe this. Good Luck and hope you win.
Spokehedz says: Aug 18, 2011. 9:43 AM
I love it. I love everything about it, and I love your entire write up of the process. Everything about this is positive, there isn't one single negative that I can think of.

BRILLIANT!
Dorion says: Aug 18, 2011. 8:37 AM
I like this a lot. It IS something I've seen commercially available, but I'd always prefer to make/repurpose things myself. I like this idea for customizing the plates to fit my favorite reusable water bottles.
matthewabel says: Aug 18, 2011. 7:57 AM
This is terrific and fairly simple to make - I think I've found this year's Christmas gifts!
RocketManDave says: Aug 18, 2011. 7:08 AM
Use a longer straw unless you want your face in the potato salad!
bertus52x11 says: Aug 18, 2011. 6:51 AM
You've got my vote. Nice one!
waltermcleod says: Aug 18, 2011. 6:27 AM
Brilliant.
But, shoving your face into a red hot burger while trying to grab the straw with your teeth could be painful.
This would obviously only happen after a few beers though!!
And you'd only do it once.
facklere says: Aug 15, 2011. 5:40 PM
I can hear it now...
Hi! Anthony Sullivan here for the Volcano Plate. The only plate that manages all of your outdoor eating essentials, with one hand!
theawesomeninja in reply to facklereAug 15, 2011. 9:23 PM
But wait! if you buy now, we'll send you a free set of sporfs, the all in one spoon-knife-fork utensil!
tofu4tortoise says: Aug 15, 2011. 8:39 PM
so simple, yet so smart. patent it before someone else does!
rimar2000 says: Aug 15, 2011. 6:36 PM
Very good idea!
inel says: Aug 15, 2011. 2:51 PM
love it, now i want one, well done
canida says: Aug 15, 2011. 10:54 AM
This is absolutely brilliant!
eskimojo in reply to canidaAug 15, 2011. 12:30 PM
Seriously, this could be your million dollar idea. The best inventions are the types that make people slap their forehead and go "Why didn't I think of that!".
sakkidra says: Aug 15, 2011. 12:26 PM
Very Cool! You got my vote!
chemistmcg says: Aug 15, 2011. 11:31 AM
you should apply for a patent on this idea before someone else does.
jdogtotherescue says: Aug 15, 2011. 10:47 AM
you get the innovator of the year award. and you put it on instructables.
-APPLAUSE and other forms of cheering!-
Calltaker says: Aug 15, 2011. 10:44 AM
I know what I'm doing when I get home :) Awesome idea and great execution!!
brilliant, as always
porcupinemamma says: Aug 15, 2011. 4:36 AM
Brilliant!!!!!!! Stellar! 10/10 I clicked on "Best Ever!"
TangerineBadger says: Aug 15, 2011. 3:18 AM
This is a fantastic idea! I'll be looking into making plates like that for picnics.
Thanks for the inspiration!

Also: bonus points for the very cool title ;-)
That One Eegit says: Aug 14, 2011. 2:52 PM
This is really cool! My family grills alot, and we use the entire table for the food, so there is only one spot to load your plate and get a drink, and this could make the process much easier.
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