Buying the right flatware for your home

Excellent! You are one of those who want to have a well suited flatware in your tableware, not just based on designs, material and prices, but also on your lifestyle. To most of us, a knife is a knife. In truth, we use flatware more than we use cookware and ovens. Considering how much attention we pay to purchasing those items, we should consider investing more time into choosing the right flatware!

Contemporary versus antique flatware

The design of the flatware you wish to purchase is definitely dependent on your lifestyle. First and foremost, the flatware should complement rest of your dinnerware, as well as suit your way of life.

Contemporary Flatware

Contemporary designs are particularly popular these days, where the cuts are sleek and functional, and the look is not likely to go out of vogue.

For people who appreciate a more royal dining experience, there is antique flatware. Though some believe that antique does not exactly belong to the “routine use” category, there is no harm in indulgence if you can afford to spend quality time looking after them.

Material means the most!

Flatware is generally available in three ways: Stainless steel, sterling silver and silver plate. Stainless steel is the most affordable of the lot and is easy to maintain. It does not rust or tarnish, and will last you for years. Stainless steel is available in three varieties- 18/10, 18/8 and 18/0, which signifies the ratio of chromium to nickel; the first two make for more durable and attractive flatware, while the third is cheaper. Stainless steel flatware is dishwasher-friendly and a much more economical option compared to other materials. No wonder it is so popular!

Some Stainless Steel Flatware

Authentic sterling silver flatware consists of at least 92.5% pure silver. The rest is made up of copper, which is added for extra strength. Astonishingly good looking, durable and heavy, sterling silver flatware comes with an identification stamp and is usually handed down from one generation to the next. While it doesn’t stain or corrode, it is prone to tarnishing and requires regular polishing, which should be dealt with using silver polish and soft cloth. Sterling silver cannot be cleaned in a dishwasher and needs to be hand washed and dried immediately. Finally, each piece should be stored in separate compartments.

Sterling Silver Flatware

Silver-plated flatware is nickel silver that is electroplated with silver. The thicker the silver coating, the better the quality of the flatware. The ideal thickness is 10 – 40 microns. This type of silverware will last you a lifetime, provided you polish it just like sterling silver. The silver-plating will, however, wear off with time, and the sheen will fade away. Although, silver-plated flatware looks as grand as sterling silver, it costs much less and is a lovely substitute to the latter.

Some Silver Plate Flatware

Again, remember that silver doesn’t react with most foods and is resistant to staining and corrosion, so it’s particularly suitable for flatware. However, because it is a soft metal, it’s not suitable for knife blades, which will be made out of stainless steel, unless antique.  Resin handles have replaced bone (which is now illegal), and these are dishwasher safe, whereas bone handles can only be bought as second-hand pieces and should always be hand washed.

Flatware maintenance, cleaning and care

Avoid soaking your flatware, as mineral salts in the water can react with the surface of the metal. Remove stainless steel from the dishwasher promptly, as it is prone to corrosion if left in a moist atmosphere. Avoid prolonged contact with very hot fat, salt, vinegar, egg, tomato sauce, acidic fruits and wine, as these can cause surface blemishes.

Stainless steel can’t rust, but it can pick up marks from steel wool or non-stainless-steel implements. Never mix silverware with stainless steel in the wash, as it can cause a chemical reaction and leave stains. Never use silver polish on stainless steel. After you have cleaned off silver polish, wash the pieces in warm soapy water before using. Keep silver and plated flatware in an air-tight container or in a special anti-tarnish roll when not in use.

What should you pay for flatware?

The price for stainless steel will be lower than silver plated and sterling silver, and can range from $30 to $200 , depending on the alloy mix and brand.

The price of silver plated and sterling silver fluctuates somewhat because it depends on the price of silver in markets. Silver plate tends to run between $70 and $350, based mostly on the thickness of the silver plate. Sterling silver can be found between $300 and $6000 or more. The lower price range is based on four-piece place settings, as opposed to the larger quantity sets you’ll probably be shopping for, which tend to cost thousands of dollars.

How many spoons do you really need?

So, how do you decide how much to buy? Usually twelve settings is the perfect choice, but it is advisable to go for numbers matching your dinnerware sets. Generally, flatware sets include place knife, place fork, place spoon (tablespoon,) salad fork, and soup spoon (teaspoon). Sometimes, a second fork or a second spoon is also included. Get yourself at least one hostess set that comprises of a large serving spoon and fork.

Hostess Sets

You can eventually add other pieces like butter spreaders, salad serving sets (spoon and fork), cake servers, sugar spoons, meat forks and gravy ladles.

As a guide the following guidelines may come in useful: 24 piece sets tend to come with 6 Table Knives, 6 Table Forks, 6 Dessert Spoons and 6 Teaspoons; 44 piece sets tend to come with 6 Table Knives, 6 Table Forks, 6 Soup Spoons, 6 Teaspoons, 6 Dessert Knives, 6 Dessert Spoons and 2 Serving Spoons; 58 piece sets tend to come with 8 Table Knives, 8 Table Forks, 8 Soup Spoons, 8 Teaspoons, 8 Dessert Knives, 8 Dessert Spoons and 2 Serving Spoons.

If you entertain guests often, you will need a more elaborate set. If you are a smaller family, single, or don’t entertain much, it is fine if you only have ordinary, hassle-free flatware that can be used on a daily basis.

With the information in this guide, you should be well-prepared to buy your next set of flatware. Good luck!