Buying the right spatula

Spatulas are one of the most used kitchen utensils, yet most people do not put much thought into buying one. Are you getting the most out of your spatulas or do you simply think of them as that thing you use to flip pancakes? A spatula is an extension of the cook. You will never be able to make a decent crepe without a decent spatula. So choosing a good quality spatula that is right for the job is very important.

Spatula stores

You do not want to buy a spatula on a whim at the grocery store. They have little selection and the quality is usually bottom of the barrel. A gourmet cookery store that carries a lot of cooking utensils is one place to browse for your spatulas. Price is not that important when considering a spatula purchase as there are few expensive ones. You may want to consider the weight of the spatula as well as how comfortable the handle grip is. You may be doing a lot of cooking with this, and repeated motions with a heavy and awkward spatula can stress your hand and wrist over time. Also consider what the spatula is made from, the handle length, the width of the spatula blade top to bottom and how the spatula bends when weight is applied to it.

Spatula materials

A stainless steel spatula is generally easy to clean and durable for the tough jobs such as big heavy steaks, but they will not be much use when you need a flexible spatula for the job. It will not break down as quickly as spatulas made from other materials, but it can also damage nonstick and other types of cookware.

Stainless Steel Spatulas

Silicone spatulas are one of the most versatile spatulas that has ever been invented. These spatulas are the most flexible. You will use a rubbery silicone spatula for many jobs, the most common of which is to get every last drop of cake or cookie batter out of a bowl. Wooden spatulas come in many styles for many different jobs. They generally have long narrow handles. They are fairly durable and add a nice rustic look to your kitchen if stored on display. A narrow or slim spatula blade is good for smaller objects that may need more precise handling. The handle and blade size should match. Silicon and wooden spatulas will not damage cookware.

Spatula types

Slotted spatulas are best for cooking meat as it leaves the juice and fat behind when you pick up the meat. It can be good when cooking meat for sauces but may not be good for things like pancakes and bacon. Slotted spatulas are also more difficult to clean than a solid spatula.

Slotted Spatulas

A spoon spatula is a large spoon with a strait spatula edge. These are commonly made of wood and are great for batters or cooking sauces. The spatula part is great for cooking the meat and spices and the spoon is great once you add the sauce. This saves you some dish washing by using only the one utensil.  You may not even be aware of the double ended spatulas but they can be very handy to have in your kitchen. They are generally made of steel and are designed to reach into small areas and corners to remove all the food from a pan or container.

Some Double Ended Spatulas

A perforated spatula is like a slotted spatula only with holes instead. This is even harder to clean properly than slots but it is good for cooking ground meat when you want to juice to be left in the pan. The smaller holes keep more meat on the spatula blade than slots can. These are also great for eggs. The offset spatula was first used by pastry chefs and is great for getting in deep without getting your hands in. They are great for loosening cakes and bread from the pan after baking. They usually have a small handle. Speaking of baking there are the cake knife spatulas designed especially for cutting and serving cakes and pies. These are often given as wedding gifts. A wok spatula is what you need for stir fry and other Asian dishes. These are usually made of wood and most good Chinese restaurants still use them. To get the best Asian food at home you will want a wok spatula.

Offset Spatulas

To cook the best fish you will want a fish spatula. Another good spatula for rice and seafood dishes is a paella spatula. They are small, slim wooden spatulas. They are great for stirring and turning small items so are great for stir fry dishes. These are special designed with a curve to hold the fish so it does not fall apart as easily once cooked or fall off the blade. For real Italian cooking you might want a pizza spatula. These are big wide spatulas made for turning over large or moving large items like pizzas but may also be good for other large dishes like cakes when they need to be moved in one piece. Grilling spatulas are designed to stand up to high heat. They are great for outdoor or indoor grilling and generally easy to clean. Tong spatulas are also great for grilling. They are perfect for grabbing the meat to turn over or serve onto a bun.

Grilling Spatulas

Spatulas designed for scraping and cleaning are generally the silicon spatulas. These will help you clean out all the dough and sauce from your bowls. A batter finger spatula falls in this category but it is especially designed for getting the last cake batter or cookie dough after you are done. Great for when kids are helping you out. Icing spatulas are long very slim spatulas that are generally good for one thing. Spreading things like icing or other toppings but they do it very well.

Icing Spatulas

With this knowledge of spatula materials and types, you should be well prepared to purchase exactly what you need for your kitchen. Good luck!