Kitchen utensils are tools used by cooks to prepare or serve food. Some are even intended for consumption, like forks and spoons.
They come in a range of materials and serve different purposes. Some are specifically designed for specific cooking tasks like frying or boiling; others can be used on a more general level for everyday activities like scooping ice cream or moving oil between containers.
Stainless steel
If you’re looking to spruce up your kitchen, stainless steel utensils are an ideal choice. Not only are they long-lasting and easy to maintain, but their convenience also makes them great for any chef or home cook alike.
Stainless steel cooking utensils are made of metals that offer outstanding corrosion resistance, making them suitable for all types of cooking. You’ll find stainless steel utensils in various shapes, styles and designs as well.
When it comes to equipment and tableware, two primary grades of stainless steel are 18% stainless steel (international standard 430) and 18/10 stainless steel (International standard 304 L). These alloys contain nickel for increased corrosion resistance as well as increased shine on utensils.
No matter the material, utensils should be designed with comfort and aesthetic in mind. Make them attractive, easy to clean so that they last as long as possible, and select a nice finish so your utensils blend in nicely with the rest of your decor.
Silicone
Silicone kitchen utensils are becoming more and more popular with those concerned with their environmental footprint, due to their flexibility, durability and reusable nature – leading to less plastic waste in landfills.
Silicone is unlike plastic, as it can be reused multiple times without breaking down in sunlight or leaching chemicals into food you prepare. Plus, it’s highly resistant to stains, bacteria and odours.
However, you should only purchase high-quality silicone utensils to guarantee your safety and avoid toxins released into your food. Make sure the item you buy is made of 100% pure silicone which has been FDA-approved and does not contain BPA.
When searching for silicone cooking utensils, there are plenty of choices to choose from. White utensils will give your kitchen a sleek look, red ones add color, or novelty options are perfect for special events like Christmas or the Fourth of July.
Wood
Wooden utensils are durable and long-lasting, making them a popular choice for many cooks. Additionally, wooden utensils are environmentally friendly since they do not require harmful chemicals to manufacture.
One major advantage of wood cooking utensils is their capacity to prevent food contamination due to bacteria, which grow faster on plastic and metal surfaces. According to Dr. Chapman from UC-Davis Food Safety Laboratory, wooden cooking utensils absorb water and bacteria from the air, effectively sucking them out via absorption, thus eliminating them completely from reach.
Another advantage of wooden utensils is their resistance to heat. When stirring something like risotto or polenta with a wooden spoon, the spoon won’t conduct heat, meaning it won’t affect the consistency of your dish.
Plastic
When it comes to kitchen utensils, plastic is usually more cost-effective than metal due to its thinner composition and fewer manufacturing steps required.
However, plastics are susceptible to degradation and break down when exposed to heat, so it’s best to avoid using plastic cooking utensils when making foods that require high heat such as melting candy or boiling syrups.
Heat can break apart plastic molecules into simpler ones, releasing hazardous chemicals that can be hazardous for our health. These substances have been known to lead to hormone disruption, cancer and birth defects in humans.
A study conducted in 2016 revealed that PA oligomers from kitchen utensils can migrate into food at higher levels than previously suspected. Therefore, manufacturers should optimize the processing of kitchen utensils to minimize migration of these oligomers.