The Serious Eats Team’s Essential Kitchen Utensils Explained
Pro-approved kitchen gear that streamlines prep and brings precision to every dish.
Every accomplished cook, amateur chef, or home enthusiast knows that a kitchen is only as good as the tools it contains. While the world is brimming with gadgets that promise culinary magic, true essentials stand out—delivering daily reliability and quiet joy. The staff at Serious Eats has collectively spent years in kitchens, tasting, testing, and working with tools that go beyond the ordinary. Here, we present their most trusted kitchen utensils, the reasons behind these choices, and how each tool can make a real difference in your cooking journey.
Why Good Kitchen Utensils Matter
A great kitchen utensil isn’t just about durability or aesthetics. It’s about making everyday kitchen tasks easier, more efficient, and often more enjoyable. The tools you choose should:
- Speed up food prep and cleanup
- Improve safety and precision
- Save you from frustration
- Expand your cooking repertoire
- Last through years of active use
Below, discover the indispensable utensils Serious Eats’ staff reach for, each accompanied by personal insights and expert usage tips.
Fish Spatula: The Ultimate Multi-Tool
Why it’s beloved: Don’t let the name fool you—a fish spatula is far more versatile than its title suggests. With a thin, slightly flexible blade and a slotted head, this spatula excels at flipping anything delicate, including pancakes, eggs, burgers, and, yes, fish. The slots help drain excess oil or liquid, and the thin edge can easily slip under foods without breaking them. It’s the one spatula you’ll find permanently perched by many Serious Eats editors’ stovetops.
Pro Tip: Use it for transferring cookies, frying potatoes, or even separating bacon strips. Once you’ve tried a fish spatula, you might not reach for any other.
Bench Scraper: More Than Just for Bakers
Why it’s a staff favorite: Traditionally seen in baking, a bench scraper is a simple metal rectangle with a comfortable handle. It’s indispensable for scraping dough off countertops or dividing dough into portions, but its uses extend well beyond pastry work. Cooks use it to gather up chopped vegetables to deposit into pans, clean flour or bits from the counter, or shape bread dough. It makes transferring ingredients quicker, neater, and more efficient.
- Swift cleanup: Scoops up trimmings in a single swipe.
- Precision: Helps cut uniform dough sections or shape mashed potatoes.
- Durability: One tool, many messy tasks, rugged enough to handle them all.
Offset Spatula: For Frosting and Far Beyond
Why it stands out: An offset spatula may look dainty, but in the right hands, it’s a powerhouse. Its narrow blade, slightly bent at one end, allows for detailed application of frosting or whipped cream without messy hands. Beyond cakes and pastries, staffers use it for smoothing out batters, loosening roasted veggies, serving casseroles, flipping grilled cheese, or spreading condiments. Its unique angle means your knuckles stay clear—and your spreads never looked so pro!
Kitchen Shears: Not Just for Cutting Herbs
Why they matter: Kitchen shears are more than heavy-duty scissors. Many feature take-apart blades for full cleaning, serrated edges for gripping chicken skin, and bottle openers or nutcrackers built into the handle. Staffers love them for:
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- Spatchcocking poultry with ease
- Opening food packaging
- Snipping herbs directly into a dish
- Cutting pizza, flatbreads, or noodles
Good kitchen shears are robust, easy to clean, and significantly safer than knives for many tricky tasks.
Mini Silicone Spatula: Scrape Every Last Drop
Why it’s essential: Sometimes, the little things are the most powerful. Mini silicone spatulas excel at scraping every last bit of sauce, jam, or batter from jars and bowls. Heat-resistant silicone makes them safe for stirring hot sauces or folding butter. Their small size gets into corners and around jar edges—saving food, time, and cleanup effort.
Microplane: For Flawless Zesting and Grating
Why staff are obsessed: This raspy, fine-toothed grater revolutionized zesting citrus and grating cheese. With surgical precision, the Microplane turns hard cheeses to powdery piles and zest into fragrant flecks—without shredding the bitter pith. Use it for grating nutmeg, garlic, ginger, chocolate, or even whole spices. The sharp teeth ensure minimal effort for maximum results.
- Add fresh lemon zest to finished dishes with ease.
- Quickly grate parmesan over pasta or soups.
- Easily clean by rinsing under hot water.
Chopsticks: Surprisingly Versatile
Why they’re a sleeper hit: While most commonly used as eating utensils, classic wooden or bamboo chopsticks are among the staff’s favorite cooking tools. They’re perfect for stirring, flipping, frying, plating, and tasting. In deep pans of hot oil, long chopsticks let you turn delicate foods safely. Even non-traditional cooks discover how good chopsticks are for scrambling eggs, retrieving toast, or tossing salads.
Spoonula: The Flexible Hybrid
What makes it unique: A spoonula is a cross between a spoon and a spatula, with a flexible, scooped head and sturdy handle. Its design allows you to mix, scrape, and serve all in one go. Serious Eats staffers love spoonulas for tasks like stirring sauces, folding batter, sauteing veggies, or transferring soup. Look for a version that’s heatproof and comfortable to grip. It’s the tool you never knew you needed—until you’ve used it.
Ladle: Soup’s Best Friend
Why it earns its place: From brothy soups to hearty stews, a trusty ladle is indispensable at the stove. Wide, deep bowls scoop up just the right amount, while a hooked handle keeps it from sliding into the pot. Many come with pouring spouts for mess-free serving. Besides ladling, use it for portioning batter, removing excess cooking water, or even pouring brine over pickles.
Flexible Tongs: Control at Your Fingertips
Why they win: Spring-loaded, locking tongs—often tipped with heat-safe silicone—provide unmatched grip and dexterity. Use them to turn steaks, toss salads, roast vegetables, or retrieve pasta. Serious Eats staffers swear by their control, ease of cleaning, and ability to gently grip food without tearing. A pair of good tongs might just make you a better, safer cook.
- Gently flip cutlets with less risk of tearing
- Toss salad greens evenly
- Fish out poached eggs or dumplings gently
More Unsung Tools Our Staff Can’t Live Without
- Y-Shaped Vegetable Peeler: For more comfortable, effortless peeling of potatoes, carrots, and apples.
- Digital Thermometer: Ensures precision for roasting, frying, and candy-making.
- Balloon Whisk: Beats eggs or cream to fluffy perfection and incorporates air gently.
- Offset Tongs: Offer better reach and control for tricky jobs.
- Spider Strainer: The netted bowl is ideal for removing fried foods or noodles from boiling water or hot oil.
- Flexible Slotted Turner: Great for delicate fish fillets, crepes, and pancakes.
Choosing Quality: Staff Testing Insights
The staff at Serious Eats test utensils for performance, comfort, and longevity. Key factors they prioritize include:
- Grip and ergonomics: Handles that fit any hand and offer nonslip security.
- Build material: High-grade stainless steel, heatproof silicone, and sturdy plastics.
- Ease of cleaning: Preferably dishwasher-safe, seamless, and minimal nooks for food to hide.
- Affordability: While some premium utensils are worth it, many favorites are budget-friendly workhorses.
Care and Maintenance
To extend the life of your essential utensils, follow these care tips:
- Wash promptly, especially when using acidic or sticky foods.
- Air dry metal utensils to avoid rust.
- Keep wooden tools conditioned with food-safe oil.
- Inspect for damage, and replace any broken silicone heads or springs.
Comparison Table: Serious Eats Staff Must-Have Utensils
| Utensil | Primary Use | Bonus Use | Material |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fish Spatula | Flipping delicate foods | Transferring cookies | Stainless steel with wood or plastic handle |
| Bench Scraper | Dividing and scraping dough | Transferring chopped veggies | Metal, sometimes with wood/plastic handle |
| Offset Spatula | Frosting, smooth spreading | Serving or flipping foods | Stainless steel, plastic/wood handle |
| Kitchen Shears | Cutting herbs, poultry, packaging | Snipping pizza, noodles | Stainless steel, some with plastic grips |
| Mini Silicone Spatula | Scraping jars/bowls | Stirring sauces | Heatproof silicone |
| Microplane | Zesting, grating cheese | Grating garlic/ginger | Stainless steel |
| Chopsticks | Cooking, tasting | Stirring, plating | Bamboo, wood |
Expert Tips for Maximizing Kitchen Utensils
- Keep basics within reach: Store primary tools (spatulas, peelers, tongs, whisks) near the stovetop for quick access.
- Invest in a few quality items: A good spatula or scraper can save money over time by lasting much longer than disposable tools.
- Don’t underestimate multi-use tools: Simple utensils with several uses save precious kitchen drawer space.
- Try before you buy: If possible, handle utensils in-store to check for comfort, grip, and weight balance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Why should I invest in a fish spatula instead of a regular spatula?
A: A fish spatula’s thin, flexible, slotted head allows for delicate flipping and draining, making it more versatile than a standard spatula for both fragile foods and everyday tasks.
Q: Is it worth getting a Microplane if I already have a box grater?
A: Yes—a Microplane produces a finer, fluffier zest and grates hard cheese with minimal effort. It also handles spices, ginger, and garlic better than a box grater.
Q: What’s the difference between a spoonula and a spatula?
A: A spoonula combines the scraping power of a spatula with the scooping ability of a spoon, making it better for folding, mixing, and serving saucy or batched foods.
Q: How do I clean kitchen shears thoroughly?
A: Many kitchen shears can be taken apart for cleaning. Hand wash with soapy water, dry thoroughly, and periodically oil the joint to keep action smooth.
Q: Can chopsticks handle hot foods safely?
A: Yes—wooden or bamboo chopsticks stay cool and are perfect for stirring or flipping foods in boiling water or hot oil.
Conclusion
The world of kitchen gadgets is vast and ever-evolving, but the true essentials remain constant for a reason. The Serious Eats staff’s favorite utensils prove that thoughtful design and tried-and-true utility outshine any short-lived trend. Investing in even a few of these staff picks—fish spatula, bench scraper, microplane, or sturdy kitchen shears—can make everyday cooking more enjoyable, productive, and delicious.
It’s not about owning every tool under the sun, but rather about curating a select arsenal that inspires creativity, supports speed and safety, and stands the test of time.
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