A utensil that does not graze your prized Teflon coated non-stick frying pan and can be dipped in boiling hot oil without causing it to melt. (Hint: it is not made of stainless-steel!)
Yup, you guessed it right, it’s a silicone utensil.
Silicone cooking utensils are gaining popularity among chefs and home cooks across the globe due to their durability, tendency not to damage the protective coating on non-stick dishes, and the ability to withstand high temperatures. They are affordable, versatile, and come in plenty of color options, letting you choose the one according to your kitchen décor.
There are multiple sets of silicone utensils available in the market, and they come with tons of pieces. Not all of them are necessary, so that might make you wonder about the must-have gadgets your kitchen cannot do without.
Here, we’ve made a list of essential silicone kitchen gadgets for you:
Spatula
Spatula or a frying spoon is a broad, flat flexible spatula that is used to stir hot food or remove food items from hot liquids. Thanks to silicone’s heat resistance abilities, the spatula’s head doesn’t warp or melt when dipped in hot oil or water. Its flexibility makes it less likely to cause scratches on your non-stick cookware.
Spatulas are also the go-to utensil for spreading frosting on cakes or whipped cream on other desserts. A baker’s favorite tool, they scrape the batter cleanly from the bowls during baking.
Tongs
Tongs have a heat-resistant silicone head and scalloped edges. They are used to grab hot food items while cooking or frying. With all the benefits of regular metal tongs, they provide the added benefit of being safe to use in nonstick cook- and bakeware.
Grill tongs are usually stainless-steel tongs with silicone tips; although they are advertised as heat resistant, it’s better to avoid using them on a grill. With the ability to withstand heat up to 600°, they are equally safe to use for frying and grilling. Their strength lets you hold heavy foods (roasts, grilled chicken, and more).
Slotted Spatula
Fried items are a household favorite, and you must have a slotted spatula to drain the oil while removing food from hot oils or other liquids. Mostly required while shallow frying, they can also stir hot food while cooking. They’re not an alternative to a skimmer which comes in handy while deep frying.
Spoon
Another kitchen essential, silicone spoons, come in various colors and sizes. You need these spoons for measuring ingredients and stirring soups, gravies, sauces, and stews. They can also mix food items and serve salads or rice. Made from food quality silicone, they are BPA-free and safe to use in hot mixtures.
Ladle
No kitchen can be complete without a silicone ladle. Used mainly for serving soups and gravies, a ladle can hold up to high heat without melting or warping. Quality ladles are coated with soft silicone and have a stainless-steel inside. They are dishwasher safe and hence very easy to clean after usage. Like the rest of the silicone utensils, these won’t scratch non-stick cookware either.
Skimmer
A skimmer is what you reach out for when you have to skim the layer of foam or fat from the top of your oil. It is also used to remove bones or unwanted particles from a clear soup. Want to remove boiled eggs from the boiling water? Or need to remove food from hot oil? You need your skimmer. You can also drain or remove your pasta from a boiling pot of water using your skimmer too.
Slotted Spoons
A slotted spoon has slots or holes in the bowl to let liquid pass through while straining the solid food on top. Slotted spoons come in various sizes and serve multiple purposes. Slotted spoons are different from the skimmers in the way they look. Slotted spoons have a large, round serving basket with perforated holes on the bottom. They are a beneficial item to have because hot oil or water will not melt them, and they specially come handy on picnics and bar-be-ques.
Whisks
Whisks are gaining popularity as essential utensils to have in one’s kitchen. Available in different colors and sizes, a whisk has a narrow handle at one end, and wire loops joined together on the other. They don’t scratch the bowl or pan while whisking, hence they are another baker’s favorite item. Even though they are a great choice for a whisk or stir sauces or gravies, a silicone whisk performs poorly while beating eggs.
Basting and Pastry Brush
Used for applying oil or a glaze to meat, bread, pizza doughs, cookies, and pastries, a basting or pastry brush is a small flat brush made of silicone with bristles of the same material. They help you evenly spread the condiment or oil over the food to coat it for a clean finish.
Pasta Server/Pasta Fork
A pasta server or a pasta fork is shaped like a ladle and used to hold and remove pasta from a pot of boiling water. The slot in the spoon represents one serving size of spaghetti.
Final Thoughts
The gaining popularity of silicone kitchen utensils has brought about some shady manufacturers who develop poor quality utensils. You have to do your research and read reviews om shopping and social media sites before making your purchase, so you don’t get duped into buying fake products.
Another thing to consider is that you should not purchase silicone utensils with wooden handles. More often than not, they’re not dishwasher-safe, and the wood might swell and break after being exposed to heat and humidity.
When investing in kitchen spatulas and spoons, you need the right balance between hardness and flexibility. If your utensils are too hard, it counters the purpose of buying them in the first place. If they’re too soft and bendy, that makes them pretty useless too.
