Buying the perfect flatspoon will turn you into a perfect parent: all you have to do is find it
Flat spoons are used when cooking to stir food without scratching your favorite pans and to ensure that your food comes out as best it can.
Show key points
- Flat spoons are favored in cooking because they prevent scratches on non-stick pans while effectively stirring food.
- Many people confuse flat spoons with stirrers, though traditionally, they serve slightly different functions in the kitchen.
- There is a surprisingly wide variety of spoon types, including fins, dispensers, and scrapers, each meant for specific culinary tasks.
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- Kitchen spoons come in various materials like silicone, metal, wood, and plastic, each with unique advantages and limitations.
- Silicone spoons are ideal for nonstick pans due to their heat resistance, flexibility, and gentleness on delicate surfaces.
- Wooden spoons appeal to cooks who prefer natural materials, especially in high-heat situations, offering both function and aesthetic appeal.
- While plastic spoons are cost-effective and suitable for delicate tasks, they are less heat-resistant and can melt if used incorrectly.
What is the difference between a flat spoon and a spoon?
Depending on who you're asking this question to, you might bet on a different answer. Many home cooks use the two words interchangeably when they refer to two different types of kitchen utensils. Traditionally when you think of a flat spoon, you think of a long-handle kitchen utensil that has flexible sides for mixing and scraping ingredients into a bowl or inside a saucepan or pan. A stirrer is often thought of as a long-handle kitchen tool that has a good flat and solid end for stirring food in a pan as it cooks. However, don't be surprised if you're in someone else's kitchen and pass you a stirrer instead of a flat spoon or a flat spoon instead of a stirr. Many even listings on your favorite online store will sometimes list these two kitchen tools interchangeably.
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Different types of spoons
If you're an inexperienced chef or someone who doesn't spend a lot of time in the kitchen, you might think there are only two different types of spoons. Let me tell you that you will be shocked when you know how many different types you can choose from. Here are the most common types:
Finns (pranks)
Hubs
Scrapers
1. Fins
Fins are the option with a long handle and a large flat bottom that is best used to reach the bottom of the wide food in the pan, such as pancakes, omelettes or hamburgers. They tend to have a sturdy wide surface to help turn your food over without compromising the shape.
2. Dispensers
Dispensers are long, narrow spoons that perform exactly what you would expect given their name. You will likely use one of these to spread softer items on another food surface. Consider spreading garnish on a cake or spreading your favorite sandwich on a soft cob.
3. Scrapers
Scrapers are tools with a long handle and have a flexible silicone or rubber finish. Used to remove the last piece of dough from the bowl, a small drop of mayonnaise left in the jar, or make the perfect scrambled eggs without leaving burnt parts inside the pan.
Different materials for spoons
It becomes more complicated than just choosing a design. You can also choose from different materials. Some of the most common options are:
Silicon
Metal
Wood
Plastic
1. Silicon
Silicone spoons are great for your kitchen due to their overall versatility. They are heat resistant which makes them great for cooking in your favorite frying pan over high heat. In addition, they are great for scraping the sides of a mixing bowl or seasoning bowl.
2. Metal
Metal spoons are great for the heavy-duty work you need to do in your kitchen. They're great for flipping burgers and steaks or flipping cast iron pancakes. One thing to watch out for is to use a metal spatula on nonstick pans. This can remove the non-stick layer. Are you the type of person who prefers to cook on the grill for 12 months a year? Metal spoons are ideal for this because they are heat resistant and very durable. Also, the majority of metal spoons have a serrated or sharp edge to check meat during cooking. Another common type of metal spoon is a fish spoon. These are great long and flexible metal spoons for turning fish over without damaging their tender meat.
3. Wood
Wooden spoons are great for cooks who are afraid to use unknown plastics or silicone at high temperatures while preparing food for their families. They are very safe for non-stick pans and heat resistant. Another advantage of wooden spoons is how beautiful they are. Many have engraved designs and beautiful colors that make them not only a useful tool but also a visual delight in your kitchen.
4. Plastic
Plastic spatulauses will be the most affordable of all spoon options. They can be great for cooking delicate things due to their durability and how thin their edges are to slip under anything you cook. Be careful when using plastic spoons as they are not heat resistant and may burn or melt inside the pan if you are cooking at high temperatures.
The best flat spoons for non-stick pans
Finding the perfect flat spoon for nonstick pans is essential for a positive cooking experience and extending the life of your favorite nonstick pan. The best flat spoons for nonstick pans are usually made of silicone or wood. Plastic is another good option for cooking in nonstick pans, but if you tend to cook at very high temperatures, or allow your flat spoon to settle into the pan while eating more ingredients, this can be a bad solution. Plastic is not heat resistant and can spoil your meal if not carefully monitored. Why are these the best flat spoons for nonstick pans? Silicone spoons are best for non-stick pans because of their high inclination to heat resistance. They're delicate on any non-stick surface, and easy to clean when you're done cooking your meal.
Features
Versatile
Heat resistant
Affordable
Available in many colors
Negatives
Can be more fragile than wood or metal
