Photo illustration: Provided store
My utensil caddy holds more than a dozen different spoons, a few spatulas, and a few whisks, and it gets more use than most other things in my kitchen. In fact, many of the items I use at home appear on this list. If you need such a tool for the first time, or if you want to redecorate your collection (or just need a couple of commonly used tools), you might consider the full set. Get what you need in a more streamlined and affordable way than buying them individually.
However, just like with utensils and knives, it's important to choose a collection that won't take up space with things you won't end up using. All the groups on this list include a wide range of tools, but while some tools are pared down to the bare essentials, many include basting brushes, measuring spoons, Includes additional parts such as peeler, grater, etc. You should think carefully about how you cook before you buy, but from there you are sure to find something that will suit your needs. To help you choose the best cookware set for your kitchen, I tested some of the options below and also asked experts like pastry chefs, recipe developers, and professional chefs for their favorites.
The number of pieces in each set ranges from 7 to 15. The captions detail what's in each set, which is a good starting point for understanding how big or small they are.
Some of these sets are made from a single material (two of which are silicone and one of which is stainless steel), some are a mix of the two materials, and some are made with wooden tools. there is. Here, I took note of what I could find.
Quantity: 12 | Material: mix
I think this cookware combination is a great start if you're building from scratch or need a complete overhaul, as it's very well balanced. Inside you'll find wooden spoons, tongs, a silicone spatula, a fish spatula, a ladle and a grater, as well as additional (and very important) parts not found in other collections. These include two nesting mixing bowls, a colander, a peeler, a measuring cup, and a measuring spoon. This 12-piece set of his is his second most extensive on this list with tools made of stainless steel, wood, and silicone (his Oxo largest below is only stainless steel) is).
Strategist editor Maxine Bilder, who tested this set nearly five years ago, says they are still the most used cookware in her kitchen (along with the GIR Spoonra, see below) included in a separate set). In her original article, she explained that the company's founders sought the advice of home cooks and professional chefs at the beginning of the design process, and then incorporated their feedback into the final product. This decision clearly paid off in the long run. “These are still going strong,” she says.
“This is what I tell my friends whenever they move into a new apartment and ask me what they should get to spruce up their kitchen,” says recipe developer and private chef Jane Morgan. “It's everything you need. Even if you already own a few items, you can't go wrong with having two items.” She likes that it doesn't have any frills, but it's super high quality, like the kind you'd find at a restaurant supply store, she says.
Quantity: 7 | Material: mix
This collection from Five Two, Food52's kitchenware line, is pretty stripped down and includes some bonus items you're unlikely to find anywhere else. I've owned it for almost a year now and look at each part regularly.
This is the only set that comes with a small whisk. An essential item for more complex tasks such as whipping up salad dressing. The stainless steel flat spatula is wider and just a little thicker than a standard fish spatula, making it perfect for flipping and transferring heavy foods. However, it is light so it is not difficult to handle. Some items have particularly smart design details, such as ladles with spouts on both sides for neat pouring of liquids (which actually works), and recessed spatulas. Masu. You can store cooking utensils without making a mess on the stove or countertop. I think the design is also very attractive. It looks especially sophisticated for such a utilitarian item. Stainless steel is shiny and durable, wood is fairly neutral in color, and silicone doesn't look cheap. However, it's not as comprehensive as the Goldliocks set for home cooking, so it's not the best in class.
Quantity: Five | Material: mix
If you just need the most basic necessities and nothing more, recipe developer Hayley Catalano recommends a ladle, tongs, a whisk, a fish turner, and a spooner (basically a slightly curved spatula). We recommend a Made In 5-piece set that includes: “You’re going to need all of these things all the time,” she says. “This is easy to hold. It's very well made, so I think it'll last a long time.” We attribute this to the fact that it's durable and easy to clean (although the Spoonra has a silicone head and the tongs have silicone grips). “Plastic pieces aren't very good, even if they're heat-resistant,” she says.
Quantity: 9 | Material: mix
We're big fans of Material Kitchen's durable and beautiful products, so it's no surprise that their cookware sets made it into this roundup. I also tested some items myself. A flat, angled wooden spatula helps you get into the corners of pots and pans (great for moving small ingredients like mirepoix). A whisk that combines a ball and a balloon. It features 12 stainless steel loops instead of one metal web, allowing maximum aeration. (Former Strategist author Chloe Anello wrote a glowing ode to the latter cookware.) In addition to these two of his products, stainless steel spatulas, spoons, slotted spoons, and tongs are also available. Masu.
This set also includes three knives: a small paring knife, a serrated knife, and a chef's knife. These are all things I got. What I wrote before. The chef's knife in particular is a favorite of recipe developer and food writer Rebecca Firkser, who says, “It fits really well in your hand.” and I feel like it's balanced when I chop it. ” The tool comes in its own wooden holder (available in walnut or maple) with magnetic sides to store the blade.
Quantity: 15 | Material: stainless steel
OXO is another brand that delivers consistent results. This set is recommended by her girlfriend Jocelyn Delk Adams, cookbook author and recipe developer for Grandbaby Cakes. The reason, she says, is to be “really inclusive.” The largest on the list, it includes multiple spoons, several types of spatulas, tongs, a whisk, a pie server, a can opener, a rotary peeler, and a pizza wheel all in the same holder. I don't own the full set, but I do have all the small items (whisk, can opener, peeler, pizza wheel). Each has a wide rubber handle that is soft to the touch and non-slip. When it gets wet.
Mr. Delk said that stainless steel is super high quality, and I agree. “Kitchen utensils can be very difficult to use,” she says. And she also puts it in the dishwasher. ” She also likes that steel gives it a streamlined look. “If you're someone who wants their kitchen to look clean and elegant, these products will definitely do the trick,” she says.
Quantity: Ten | Material: silicone
GIR makes the best silicone spatulas, loved by Strategist editors (including myself) and professional chefs and bakers alike. His 10-piece kitchenware set from the company includes five of them. There is something called the ultimate spatula. This is a medium-sized spatula that I tested myself and can tackle almost any task. A tall and slender model that fits in the corner of the container. The mini size, which I use regularly, reaches the bottom of the jar and is perfect for mixing small amounts of ingredients. A spooner that can be rubbed, scooped, and served. The other is flat for lifting and flipping. “They're all a bit pliable, but still very durable,” says recipe developer and food stylist Chloe Walsh. “And they're very durable. I've had them for about a year, and I use them all the time and put them in the dishwasher. They've held up well.”
I also discovered the same thing. I've owned some for even longer than the Walshes and they look as good as the day I bought them. The set also includes a silicone ladle (Walsh says it's relatively shallow, so he uses it for thick beans and stews rather than super-liquid soups). Two suitable spoons (one large and one small). Stainless steel whisk. Stainless steel peeler (both have silicone handles that are easy to hold).
Quantity: Ten | Material: silicone
This incredibly affordable collection (just $25 for 10 pieces) is recommended by recipe developer and newsletter author Caroline Chambers. (Amazon lists her as including 11 pieces, which also includes a holder, which I omitted because it's not an actual cookware.) Mr. Chambers' kitchen This is the set I most often recommend to friends who are trying to get everything from scratch. “She ends up with at least one thing she never uses,” she says. “But the reality is that you need all of these tools.”
Includes three spatulas of different shapes and sizes, a slotted spoon, a solid spoon, a ladle, tongs, a whisk, a pasta fork, and a basting brush. For Chambers, silicon is important. “This is a highly heat-resistant material,” she says. “I'm a mom of three kids, so I'm always trying to stop my kids from setting my house on fire. Unlike plastic, metal, or wood, if you leave it in a frying pan for a few minutes, it's fine. I use nonstick I also love cookware because it makes my life easier, and these are very important for non-stick. Anything scratchy will damage the surface faster.”
Quantity: 7 | Material: stainless steel
Although this set consists of serving utensils (rather than cooking), we think it deserves a spot on this list. After all, serving food is part of the pipeline from kitchen to table, and having the right tools to serve the finished dish is essential. Mr. Walsh, the owner of this collection, says that it is very complete because it has everything you need for a dinner party, including spoons, three-pronged forks, salad servers, large and small ladles, and cake servers. “It's a simple design, but very cute,” she says. “I like the interesting, primitive-looking shapes of the forks and spoons,” she adds. “The little ladle is great for scooping out pancake batter,” she adds.
• Jocelyn Delk Adams, cookbook author and recipe developer
• Maxine Builder, Strategist Editor
• Hailee Catalano, Recipe Developer
• Caroline Chambers, recipe developer and newsletter author
• Rebecca Firkser, recipe developer and food writer
• Jane Morgan, recipe developer and private chef
• Chloe Walsh, recipe developer and food stylist
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