Greetings to all the culinary enthusiasts and home chefs out there! If you’re passionate about cooking and take pride in crafting delicious dishes, you understand the importance of having the right tools at your disposal.
One such indispensable kitchen tool is the spatula, the unsung hero behind countless meals. Whether you’re flipping pancakes on a lazy Sunday morning or delicately searing a perfectly seasoned fillet of fish, the spatula plays a pivotal role in your culinary journey.
In this article, we’re diving deep into the world of spatulas to help you find the best one for your kitchen. We’ll explore the different types of spatulas, their unique features, and the factors to consider when choosing the perfect spatula to elevate your cooking experience.
So, let’s embark on this culinary adventure and discover the essential spatula that will become your trusted companion in the kitchen.
When it comes to culinary endeavors, a spatula is an indispensable kitchen tool, serving a multitude of purposes such as flipping, stirring, and spreading. However, not all spatulas are created equal, as their suitability depends on factors like construction, size, and flexibility.
Choosing the right spatula for your cooking needs hinges on the type of dishes you frequently prepare at home. For instance, silicone spatulas are excellent for nonstick cookware, while metal spatulas excel at grilling. To assist you in discovering the ideal spatula for your culinary ventures, we embarked on a quest to test some of the most highly-rated options available.
Each spatula was put to the test in cooking scenarios involving various foods, evaluating their performance in real-world situations. Our assessment took into account factors such as ease of use, comfort, heat resistance, cleaning convenience, and overall value.
- Best Overall: OXO Good Grips Spatula Set
- Best for Eggs:Â Di Oro Chef Series Silicone Turner Spatula
- Best for Cast Iron: Winco TN719 Blade Hamburger Turner
- Best for Fish:Â Winco Fish Spatula
- Best for Pancakes: OXO Good Grips Large Silicone Flexible Turner
- Best Offset: Ateco Offset Spatula
- Best for Grilling: OXO Good Grips Brushed Stainless Steel Turner
- Best Heavy-Duty: Rubbermaid Commercial Products High Heat Silicone Spatula
OXO Good Grips Spatula Set
One spatula is frequently insufficient in the kitchen, which is why we think this three-piece set is a need. These flexible spatulas come in several sizes, making them suitable for a variety of jobs such as folding batter, spreading dips, and flipping eggs. Having used the prior iteration of this set, we were pleased with the latest enhancements.
The spatula heads could be removed for cleaning in previous times, although this design had disadvantages. Cleaning these nooks and crannies can be difficult since food residue and even mold can hide there. These days, each spatula is a single, easy-to-clean piece that is both heat-resistant and comfortable to hold.
The 10-inch blue spatula in this set is excellent for getting into small areas and food jars. With a square edge to reach into corners and a rounded edge to scrape out all of the batter and sauce from bowls, the 12.5-inch red spatula is versatile. Spoonulas, or 12-inch white spoon spatulas, are ideal for mixing, tasting, and scooping.
These spatulas have proven to be our go-to baking utensils after putting them to the test; they gently fold batter and make sure no frosting remains in the mixing bowl. They are safe to use with bakeware and cookware that is nonstick because they can withstand temperatures as high as 600 degrees. The handles’ pressure-absorbing shape provides a pleasant, nonslip grip.
Di Oro Chef Series Silicone Turner Spatula
This spatula is made with you in mind if you’re looking for one that’s great at turning sunny-side-up eggs and delicate omelets. As we saw throughout testing, the incredibly thin 3-inch-wide silicone blade slips under food with ease, making it ideal for delicate things.
It also has a strong handle and core made of stainless steel, which adds stability and robustness. The handle is the most comfortable option in our choices because of its ergonomic grip provided by the matte silicone material.
We particularly enjoyed how this spatula’s tiny edges are ideal for lifting and inverting the edges of a delicate omelet.
This spatula showed remarkable heat resistance up to 600 degrees during testing. Whether we were frying pancakes, quesadillas, or fried eggs, the silicone remained unharmed by heat and was readily cleaned up by hand. You can also put it in the dishwasher to make things even easier.
It also has a “forever warranty,” which guarantees that the manufacturer will repair or replace any broken or defective products at no additional cost to you, no questions asked.
Winco TN719 Blade Hamburger Turner
This spatula is the perfect tool for searing steaks in a hot skillet. It has a strong 11-inch oak handle and a very durable 6 x 3-inch stainless steel blade. Because of its weight, this heavy-duty blade flattens cast-iron patties with ease and little effort.
The spatula is easy to slide beneath food to flip because it has beveled edges on both sides.
In our testing, we discovered that the handle was comfortable to hold and that the blade was sharp, which made it great for scraping the bottom of the pan. It works well on grills as well, but use heat with caution as the handle is rather short.
For this reason, we use it for cooking with cast iron indoors, as the short handle provides accurate control in tiny pans. However, as it could scratch ceramic or nonstick cookware, we advise against using it on those surfaces.
It is dishwasher-safe, but hand washing is necessary for longer durability, and it is simple to clean and maintain.
Winco Fish Spatula
Possessing a fish spatula is an essential kitchen item if you frequently cook fish at home. This spatula has long, thin blade that slips under delicate fillets with ease, and long holes that let liquids drain.
Among fish turners, the Winco Fish Spatula is particularly good. It is lightweight, comfortable to hold, and multipurpose thanks to its hardwood handle and slotted blade made of brushed stainless steel.
Its 6.5-inch blade surprised us by being useful for flipping fried eggs. We were able to properly flip eggs and salmon fillets in a cast-iron pan during our tests without cracking the egg yolks or causing damage to the fish skin.
Its dimensions were perfect for skillets of a typical size, and even though food particles occasionally adhered to the blade, they were easily removed with a quick scrub with a scrub brush.
OXO Good Grips Large Silicone Flexible Turner
Often, you have to choose between flexibility and durability when selecting a spatula. But the best of both worlds is provided by this OXO model. Its stainless steel core provides solidity, while the silicone blade allows for flexibility.
Silicone is safe to use on nonstick cookware and is heat resistant. With its beveled edges, the thin blade is sufficiently soft to handle delicate foods without inflicting any harm.
Don’t let this fool you, though; this spatula can also handle heavy objects. We were pleasantly pleased by how many cookies it could hold on its 6 x 4-inch blade when we used it to scoop up roasted Brussels sprouts. It was also pleasant and simple to use in the kitchen thanks to the nonslip grip.
Being dishwasher safe made cleanup simple. In addition, OXO provides its clients with the OXO Guarantee, which enables them to exchange or refund their purchases if they’re unhappy.
Ateco Offset Spatula
For bakers, an offset spatula proves to be a handy tool for various tasks. Its slender blade is great for spreading and smoothing cake batters, as well as for gently releasing cakes from their pans after baking. Ateco’s offset spatula, however, goes above and beyond.
It boasts a stunning mirror-finish stainless-steel blade measuring 1.25 x 7.63 inches, with the entire spatula spanning around 12 inches in length. There are also different blade sizes available.
In our testing, we were able to effortlessly frost a small batch of cupcakes and achieve a smooth finish on cakes. This spatula is also excellent for easily removing baked goods from pans and cookie sheets, as well as for evenly spreading peanut butter on sandwiches.
We found that the wide, rounded blade tip excelled at getting every last bit from the bottom of the peanut butter jar. The handle, made of natural wood, is comfortable to grip, although it’s important to note that it should only be washed by hand.
OXO Good Grips Brushed Stainless Steel Turner
When you’re cooking on a grill, you want tools that can handle the heat and keep you safe. OXO’s 13.5-inch spatula is a robust choice. It’s made of brushed stainless steel and features a comfortable, nonslip grip thanks to the cushioned handle.
We found it especially handy for grilling and using on a cast-iron skillet because of its weight and length. In our tests, it excelled at flipping burgers in the skillet, keeping our hands away from grease. Plus, it was effective at scraping up any remaining bits of food in the skillet after cooking.
The ergonomic handle made it easy and comfortable to hold, even when transferring a meatloaf to a platter. However, it’s worth noting that the slots on the spatula are a bit small, making them a bit tricky to clean thoroughly.
Also, it may not be the top choice for delicate foods; we preferred the two Winco spatulas for those.
Rubbermaid Commercial Products High Heat Silicone Spatula
This durable spatula is designed to be both resistant to stains and gentle on your valuable cookware. It has a white silicone blade and a red nylon handle, with the entire spatula measuring 13.5 inches in length and the head being 2.5 inches wide – perfect for handling large batches of cake batter and frosting.
The handle is quite sturdy, which is great for mixing thick doughs. However, it may not be the best choice for tasks like flipping pancakes or transferring cooked eggs to a plate.
The spatula has a notched blade to rest on the edge of your mixing bowl, preventing the blade from touching your countertops. Additionally, the blade is securely attached to the handle, ensuring nothing gets stuck in hidden crevices during use.
It’s worth mentioning that our testing revealed that the handle was uncomfortable to hold, and its size can make it a bit challenging for smaller tasks.
This spatula can withstand temperatures of up to 500 degrees and is available in various lengths and vibrant colors. It’s dishwasher safe and comes with a 1-year warranty.
What to Look for in a Spatula
Uses
The type of spatula you should get depends on how you plan to use it. Spatulas for baking or making scrambled eggs, for instance, are not the same as the ones you’d use for flipping fish, burgers, or removing cookies from a baking sheet.
Fish spatulas, for instance, have a longer, wider surface area and are often made of thin metal. This design helps you lift fish from the pan without it falling apart.
Construction
Items like wooden spatulas for flipping food or silicone spatulas, also known as scrapers, for baking are typically designed as a single piece. This simplifies the cleaning process and reduces the likelihood of needing frequent replacements.
Grill spatulas, on the other hand, require a longer handle, preferably measuring 16 to 19 inches, and should be made of stainless steel to withstand high heat. Lastly, when using a nonstick pan, it’s essential to choose a spatula that’s safe for this type of surface, such as one made of wood or silicone, to prevent any damage or scratching to the pan.
Care and Maintenance
Wondering if you can toss it in the dishwasher? If it’s made of metal or silicone, the answer is a clear yes. But what about hand-washing? If you’re using the same spatula for all your cooking needs, it might be time to consider getting a few more because it’s unlikely to stay in good shape for long.
Wooden spatulas, on the other hand, do best with handwashing and a monthly rubdown using food-grade mineral oil. This helps maintain the wood’s quality over time.
FAQs
How many spatulas should you have?
You might hear that having just 3 or 4 different types of utensils is enough, but it really depends on what you like to cook and bake, as well as the limitations of your cooking surfaces.
For instance, if you don’t cook fish, you can skip buying a spatula specifically for that. However, if you regularly cook, bake, and grill, having separate utensils for each of those tasks is handy. It could also be practical to have extras of each type, so you don’t have to keep washing them when they get dirty.
Why do spatulas have slots?
Spatulas with slots serve a couple of helpful purposes. First, they aid in draining excess liquids, especially when dealing with grilled or fried foods. Additionally, they help reduce surface tension, making it easier to lift foods from a pan without them sticking.
These spatulas are also known as slotted spatulas, perforated spatulas, or slotted turners.
Why is a spatula called a spatula?
This word has its roots in both Greek and Latin. It comes from the Greek word “spathe” and the Latin word “spatha,” both of which describe long swords with wide, flat blades. These words were used to refer to tools used in various activities such as cooking, construction, and medicine.
