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Cooking utensils: Tips for Selection

The first thing you need to do when selecting cooking utensils is determine what your needs are. This is will be determined by the kind of cooking you do and the cooking surface you use. If you cook Chinese food you need a very different set of utensils than if you make pizza. Once you know what kind of cooking you will do, make a list of what utensils you will need. You can consult a cookbook relevant to that type of cooking and find out which utensils are required, which utensils aren't required but would be useful, and what properties to look for in cooking utensils.

You don't necessarily need to own the best cooking utensils for your kitchen. While they have many outstanding features, you quickly hit the point of diminishing returns when comparing price vs. performance as you increase the price. Also, cooking surfaces and knives are much higher priority kitchen items than utensils. That said, cooking utensils are typically inexpensive, and you can find top quality cooking utensils at reasonable prices.

Not only how and what you cook, but what cookware you use, is an important consideration when selecting cooking utensils Different cooking surfaces require different utensils. Do you like to make omelets? Chances are you use a nonstick omelet pan. If so, you need a spatula that won't scratch it. Choosing the right material is vital.

Cooking utensils are typically made of three materials: wood, stainless steel, and plastic. All three have distinct pluses and minuses, and you must weigh these when selecting your cooking utensils. You may buy your utensils in a set or a la carte, depending on your preference.

Spoons and spatulas are often made of wood, and it is a favorite cooking utensil material of many cooks for their kitchen. One of the distinct advantages of wood is that it will not scratch even the most delicate pots. Another advantage of wood as a material for utensils is that it does not conduct heat. Wood is also very durable and won't melt, even in an unattended pot.

Wood is, however, harder to clean than other materials. Additionally, if used in soups and sauces, the soup or sauce can penetrate the wood, which could make it necessary to replace the wooden utensil. Also, if you purchase wood, make sure you buy utensils that are treated to inhibit bacteria growth, as wood can tend to present a favorable environment for bacteria.

Stainless steel presents a bacteria-unfriendly environment, and is easy to clean. Stainless steel is visually appealing and these tools come in diverse styles and configurations. It is also available with many handle options.

The problem with stainless steel cooking utensils is that they are harder than cast iron cookware or wooden cookware, and thus may scratch it. Even if you take great pains to avoid scratching the pot, quite often you will damage it. Stainless steel utensils are generally better for use with stainless steel or anodized aluminum cookware than for cast iron or for nonstick pots.

Plastic utensils will never scratch any pot, and are easy to clean. That's the good news. The bad news is that plastic cooking utensils melt easily under cooking conditions, and if they do, they might ruin your pot or contaminate the food you are preparing with toxins.

Most cooking utensils are quite affordable, with simple wood sets being even below $5. Special use items may cost more, up to $50 or so. Plastic utensils tend to be very affordable, also, with single pieces going for around $2, and specialty items in the $45 range. Stainless steel is the most expensive, but still very reasonably priced, at $10 for a single piece, or $15 for a top quality 9 piece set.