Essential kitchen utensils: spatulas, spoons, tongs, shovels and more
Whether you are a Sunday cook or a food enthusiast,kitchen utensilsare the best everyday allies. Spatulas, spoons, shovels or tongs, each tool has its function and contributes to the success of dishes, from preparation to presentation. Discover theessential utensils in a well-equipped kitchenand learn to choose those that match your needs and values, based on the materials offered.
What are the main kitchen utensils you absolutely must have?
There are a wide variety of kitchen utensils, but some are essential for cooking efficiently and with pleasure:
- The spatulas:Straight or beveled, flat or flexible, they allow you to mix, turn, scrape or spread. The spatula is a multifunctional utensil that can be found in almost all stages of cooking or baking.
- Kitchen spoons: The wooden spoon is the most classic, ideal for stirring without damaging the coatings. The perforated spoon allows you to serve without liquid. The measuring spoon helps you respect the quantities. There are also stew spoons, slotted spoons, jam spoons, etc.
- The pliers: very practical for turning meat, serving vegetables or arranging plates, tongs offer great precision. Pickle tongs are also practical!
- Kitchen shovels:Pie shovels, salt shovels, rice shovels or flour shovels... they allow you to serve with precision and elegance.
- Ladles and skimmers: perfect for soups, broths and fried foods, they make cooking in large containers easier.
Having the right tools at hand saves time, avoids mistakes and, above all, preserves the pleasure of cooking.
What materials for your kitchen utensils: stainless steel, wood, copper... what should you choose?
The choice of thekitchen utensil materialis essential for comfort, durability, and environmental impact. Here are the main materials to know:
Stainless steel kitchen utensils
Stainless steel is a modern, hygienic, and durable material. It resists heat, humidity, and shock without warping.
✅Benefits: Easy to clean, dishwasher safe, does not retain odors.
🔍 Ideal for: spoons, whisks, tongs and cooking utensils.
Copper utensils
Traditional and noble, copper offers exceptional thermal conductivity. It is often used for pans, but also for certain high-end utensils.
✅Benefits: Aesthetics, high thermal performance.
⚠️ Please note: requires regular maintenance to maintain its shine.
Utensils made of beech, boxwood, cherry or olive wood
Wooden utensils are warm, durable and often handcrafted.
- Beech wood: sturdy, inexpensive, ideal for spoons and spatulas.
- Boxwood: very dense, perfect for small spoons or decorative utensils.
- Olive wood:magnificent with its unique grain, very resistant to humidity.
- Cherry wood:rarer, brings an elegant touch and a beautiful patina over time.
✅Benefits: Does not scratch pans, pleasant to the touch, ecological.
⚠️ Care: Hand wash recommended, no prolonged soaking.
How to choose the right kitchen utensils for your needs?
Before purchasing your utensils, it is essential to ask yourself the right questions:
- What use?? A daily whisk or a spatula for cake batters will not have the same requirements.
- What type of cooking?For non-stick pans, choose wooden or silicone utensils.
- What style of cooking?Stainless steel utensils are perfect for modern, fast-paced cooking. Wood, on the other hand, blends better into a warm, rustic, or natural kitchen.
- What ecological commitment?Choose somedurable kitchen utensils made in Europehelps reduce environmental impact while supporting local know-how.
Conclusion: focus on quality and durability
The good oneskitchen utensils, carefully chosen, will accompany you for many years. Whether it's fine wood, stainless steel, or copper, each material has its advantages. The most important thing is to prioritize quality, ergonomics, and origin. A well-equipped kitchen is not a kitchen full of useless objects, but a kitchen designed for cooking with pleasure, every day.