Everything You Need To Know About Cooking Utensils
10" Frying Pan & Skillet Hammered Finish Black | Avalon Series | Dalstrong
Cooking utensils and kitchen gadgets can define your experience in the kitchen. So, it’s crucial to have the right cooking utensil set. Let’s talk about some of the most popular cooking utensils that can elevate your culinary skills.
1. What Are Cooking Utensils?
Non Stick Frying Pan & Skillet - The Oberon Series
There are a variety of cooking utensils out there made with different materials. Such as silicone spoons/tasting spoons, silicone slotted spatulas or slotted turners, and silicone whisks. On the other hand, you have stainless steel utensils like pots and pans, slotted turners, metal spatulas, solid spoons, pressure cookers, and other steel tools set or kitchen gadgets such as utensil holders, garlic press, muffin pans, and metal mixing bowls.
If you’re looking for another material, there are bamboo utensils available, too. Wood and bamboo are popular material choices for prep tools such as wooden handles, wooden spoons, plates, and cutting boards. However, these materials aren’t nearly as durable, safe, and sturdy as stainless steel, copper, and metal in general.
Let’s talk about all of these utensils in more detail so that you have a better understanding of what these kitchen gadgets and tools are. But, before we get into that, here’s a little insight into what cooking utensils are used for.
2. What Cooking Utensils Are Used For
Professional Slotted Fish Spatula 7.5" Dalstrong ©
Nonstick Pots And Pans
Pots and pans sets come in various styles and designs. Nonstick cookware in general makes it easier to whip up complex recipes as you don’t have to go through the hassle of seasoning your cookware and can skip to the cooking part.
Pots, or stock pots, are excellent for home cooks. These stainless steel utensils can help make large batches of soups, sauces, stews, and broths. You can find a variety of sizes when on the lookout for the perfect nonstick cookware set.
And hey, at Dalstrong, there are plenty of tools ser for nonstick cookware lovers. Keep reading, and I can guarantee you, there’s something here for everyone.
Pressure Cooker
Pressure cookers are classic kitchen tools for cooking but are quite loud, heavy, and uncomfortable to hold. Most cooking needs met with pressure cookers can be achieved easily with stock pots and pans. Pressure cookers are also predominantly difficult to clean as most of them aren’t designed with nonstick coating. Unfortunately, this can increase the cooking time.
Spatula Sets
Whether they are metal spatulas or silicone spatulas, there are different designs for you to choose from. Regular spatula sets can help whip sauces and syrups on desserts like cakes, muffins, and other savory items, but slotted spatulas, also known as slotted turners, are often used when working with fried food, to remove excess oil.
Silicone spatulas or slotted turners can get the job done with ease as they’re scratch-free and can take on high temperatures when cooking. Their scratch-free and easy-to-clean nature also make them quite durable. Silicone spatulas are highly preferred by home cooks and professional chefs as they don’t leach out harmful chemicals and toxins into the food either.
Tasting Spoons Or Solid Spoons
Solid spoons, otherwise known as tasting spoons, are designed to withstand extreme temperatures. They’re used by home cooks and chefs for tasting food in batches or when they’re cooking for large groups. Cooking spoons are quite easy to clean, which maintains and encourages hygiene levels in busy kitchens or even cloud kitchens.
The spoon rests on top of extremely hot glass lids and pots and pans without leaching toxins and chemicals into the food through the vented lid. However, if you want a cooking spoon that is durable and safe, metal spoons are the best choice since they’re highly heat resistant. Wooden spoons on the other hand can absorb bacteria and moisture, which decreases their durability. They’re also not heat resistant.
Before I go into more detail about kitchen utensil sets, let’s briefly talk about other tools gadgets that come under cooking utensils.
Silicone Whisks
Silicone whisks are gaining popularity each day as they are much more gentle on the surface of nonstick cookware than metal whisks. This is because the silicone coating on these whisks is scratch-free, heat resistant, lightweight, ergonomic and comfortable to hold, and low in maintenance.
With silicone whisks, you need not worry about rusting or scratching the surface of your favorite utensil set. Prep tools like silicone whisks are also quite affordable and easy to store.
Garlic Press
A garlic press is one of many useful prep tools. A garlic press, also known as a garlic crusher, is a kitchen tool that works similarly to a nutcracker. With a garlic press, it’s quite easy to turn bulbs of garlic into minced garlic by pressing through the tiny holes on its surface. Not only is this a reliable tool to have in your kitchen, but a time-saving kitchen tool for home cooks.
Muffin Pan
Believe it or not, a muffin pan also known as a muffin tin is a versatile piece of cookware. While it depends on the material you choose when buying muffin pans, they’re usually a part of nonstick cookware. Since you don’t have to grease the molds excessively, it is now super easy and convenient to whip up mini taco bowls, fruit pies, mini pizzas, frittatas, and other bite-sized treats.
Metal Spatulas
Metal spatulas are classic cookware utensils, often packaged with other steel kitchen utensils or cooking utensil sets. They work best with cast irons, woks, and stockpots, as the surface of these cooking utensils is designed to take on metal kitchen tools like solid spoons, metal whisks, and even metal spatulas.
Kitchen Sets Or Utensil Sets
Several cooking tools can come under this category. Cooking utensil sets have skillets/fry pans, woks, stock pots, silicone spatulas, glass lids, and cooking spoons. Or, just good ol’ pots and pans set. There are many combos up for grabs such as 3piece kitchen utensil sets, or stainless steel kitchen sets.
3. Essential Cooking Utensils You Need In Your Kitchen
Here are the best cooking utensil sets and individual cooking utensils at Dalstrong that will amplify your cooking skills ten folds.
1. 12" Frying Pan Wok ETERNA Non-stick | Oberon Series
This 12-inch wok is an excellent piece of nonstick cookware that is made with a 3-ply aluminum core. With thick layers of 18/10, non reactive stainless steel, you never have to worry about its durability. This pan is oven, dishwasher, refrigerator, and broiler safe for storing leftovers and reheating your food without any hot or cold spots.
Pros:
- Engineered with the world’s longest-lasting PFOA and APEO-free nonstick coating for a hassle-free cooking process.
- Vented hole on the lid to prevent spillovers and warping.
- Excellent heat retention.
- As opposed to wooden handles, the steel handles on this wok are sturdy and durable.
Cons:
- Could be a tad difficult to store if you have a compact kitchen.
- Like to season your cooking utensils by yourself? Not an avid lover of nonstick cookware? Then, this wok may not be the perfect fit.
2. 10" Frying Pan & Skillet ETERNA Non-Stick | Oberon Series
This cooking utensil from the Oberon series is a frying pan and skillet hybrid that is nonstick in nature. Fused with thick layers of 18/10 non-reactive stainless steel, this heavy gauge kitchen tool is a phenomenal workhorse. Equipped with a 4mm tempered glass lid to prevent food spills and warping for a hassle-free cooking process. Stainless steel utensils like this frying pan and skillet are worth bagging.
Pros:
- Steel kitchen utensils like this hybrid pan have a 3-ply aluminum core for enhanced heat retention.
- Heat-resistant cooking surface that conducts heat well, but doesn’t take on any damage.
- Induction cooktops and gas stove-friendly.
Cons:
- If you aren’t a fan of nonstick cookware, other options might suit you better.
- The size of this pan could be too small or large, depending on your cooking requirement. For most home cooks, this is a safe bet.
3. 3 Quart Stock Pot ETERNA Non-Stick | Oberon Series
This stock pot from the Oberon series is popular as a single kitchen tool for cooking, as well as in the pots and pans set. Not only does it tremendously conduct heat, but it prevents cold spots and preserves the nutritional qualities and taste of your food. Whether you want to sear meat for an instant pot-like dish or make bone broth for the colder months of the year, this pot can do it all. Tip: If you’re making a large batch of salad and sauces, you can use pots as mixing bowls, too.
Pros:
- Preserves and protects the taste and color of food.
- This pot is oven and broiler-safe up to 500º F.
- Works perfectly well on induction, electric, and gas cooktops.
Cons:
- You may want to up-size if you’re cooking for more than 2-3 people.
- If you aren’t big on soups, sauces, and broths, you may not use this stock pot often.
4. 12 Piece Cookware Set Oberon Series
This 12-piece cooking utensil set is a best-seller for all the right reasons. Made with a 3-ply aluminum core and fused with nonreactive 18/10 stainless steel for all the durability that you need. Polished with layers of nylon and satin for a smooth and eloquent finish that turns heads.
Pros:
- Stainless steel kitchen set with pots and pans built to last you for years on end.
- If you’re a home cook getting your chef hat on, grab your kitchen towel and apron, and get cooking with this oven and dishwasher-friendly cooking set.
- Riveted handles that are sturdy and safe to hold – Perfect for home cooks and chefs looking to shift from wooden handles to the stainless steel kind.
Cons:
- If you don’t cook regularly, this sophisticated kitchen set may not be a great fit.
- The price of this stainless steel utensil set could be a big investment for folks on a budget.
What’s Included?
This kitchen utensil set is the ultimate win for cooking connoisseurs and comes with 2 frying pans, 1 saute pan, 2 stock pots, and 1 saucier. Additionally, 6 glass lids are tempered to take on extreme temperatures.
Enjoy 6 scratch-free silk carrying bags representing the Oberson series. Moreover, this set comes with 6 of Dalstrong’s padded pan protectors and their renowned packaging for all the aesthetics that you need.
5. 12-Piece Cookware Set Silver | Avalon Series
Made with a 5-ply copper forged foundation, this cookware set heats 5x better than iron cookware and 20x better than stainless steel utensils. Featuring a smooth, mirror-like polish on the utensils, this set from the Avalon series is perfect for home chefs that want to upgrade to an enhanced cooking set. Designed with 18/10 stainless steel and interior layers of smudge-free aluminum, this heavy gauge cookware set is not going to disappoint you in the slightest.
Pros:
- Riveted handles help in transitioning from the stovetop to the oven without losing on their durability, something you can’t achieve with wooden handles.
- Vented holes on perfect-fit and tempered lids that work as a pressure release and prevent warping.
- Preserves the quality, taste, and color of food.
Cons:
- May not work for folks with a tight budget.
- Not an avid cook? This set may not be the perfect match for your needs.
What’s Included?
This set comes with 2 skillets, 2 sauce pots, 1 saute pan and 1 saucier. Each of these utensils comes with 6 stainless steel lids and 6 scratch-free silk carrying bags. As a bonus, enjoy Dalstrong’s padded pan protectors.
4. What To Look For When Buying Cooking Utensils
Food Tongs 12" Scalloped Silicone Tips
Handle
When buying stock pots and pans, there are a variety of things to consider. Double-sided handles and heavily-riveted screws are crucial, to begin with. You don’t want to invest in a cookware set that constantly has you at risk of injuring yourself with hot liquids. This also makes a seamless transition from the countertop to the oven and back to the cutting board.
Material
Stainless steel, copper, nonstick, and 3-ply or tri-ply are great choices for utensil sets. Stainless steel heats up instantly, copper is highly durable and retains heat well, and tri-ply utensils have tremendous heat distribution. Nonstick cookware saves you a lot of time as you don’t have to grease and season the cooking utensil. So, regardless of the material you pick out of these four, you’ve got yourself a winner.
Size
The size of cooking utensils and kitchen gadgets is important as they help you portion food and store them, too. If you’re cooking for 4-6 people, 3-6 quart pots are sufficient. As for pans, 6-12-piece cookware sets are perfect.
5. Frequently Asked Questions
Which is best utensils for cooking?
Pots and pans are essential pieces of cookware. This includes stock pots, skillets, saute pans, frying pans, and woks. The most popular cooking utensils are made with stainless steel, copper, tri-ply, or a nonstick coating.
What is a cooking utensil called?
Cooking utensils include pots and pans, pressure cookers, woks, cast irons, and skillets.
What utensils is used for?
Stock pots are used for simmering broths or making large batches of foods like stews and pasta, whereas pans are used to sear, grill, and fry foods such as meat and veggies.
What is used in kitchen utensils?
Kitchen utensils often use stainless steel, copper, and aluminum as materials. This is because they can withstand extreme temperatures and are often induction-top, broiler, and oven-friendly.
