Buying Kitchen Utensils

Types of Kitchen Utensils

Modern kitchen utensils are available in a wide range of materials to suit all types of cookware and everyday tasks. Even the most basic of actions such as stirring deep in the bottom of pots can take their toll on your equipment.

Metal utensils are hard-wearing but can easily damage non-stick coatings such as Teflon. Rubber or plastic utensils are far kinder on these delicate surfaces, but can melt when exposed to higher cooking temperatures. Therefore, it is vital to know what you're preparing and what cookware you'll be using to select the best utensils for the job.

• Stainless Steel Utensils: By far the most common type of kitchen utensils. They have the highest resistance to temperature and continued use. Stainless steel is also extremely easy to clean, making it hygienic and perfect for everyday use in commercial kitchens.
• Wooden Utensils: Perfect for salads or shallow frying, and generally used for stirring and serving. Wooden utensils are also preferred for their traditional look and feel over more modern materials.
• Plastic Utensils: Generally lightweight and easy to use, but less resistant to high temperatures. Plastic utensils are more suited to service than preparation. Spatulas and spoons are the most common types of plastic kitchen utensils.
• Silicone Utensils: Will not warp, chip or corrode like other materials. Silicone utensils are great for stir frying and can be left alone in the pan without any risk of heat damage. They are also waterproof and stain-resistant, so can be left in the sink without losing their colour.
• Nylon Utensils: Strong enough for stirring anything, nylon utensils are heat resistant but should never be left in the pan for long periods. They are also easy to clean and to care for.
• Aluminium Utensils: Strong but lightweight. Aluminium is commonly used for utensils such as scoops and presses.
• Exoglass Utensils: Strong and durable, designed not to deteriorate or rust. Exoglass utensils won't scratch non-stick coated pans and are ideal for mixing or folding ingredients.

TIP: If you're using plastic utensils, always ensure they are properly maintained. Using scratched, badly worn or cloudy plastics with food is not advised. Any plastic utensils showing these signs should be replaced for best hygienic practice.

Essential Kitchen Utensils

Your menu will help you decide which kitchen utensils you can't do without. Your everyday utensils will soon become apparent when you look through each of your dishes in detail. Using the wrong utensils can mean extra work, or even worse - having to restart a dish from scratch.

Maybe you'll just need the basics, or perhaps you'll require something more specialist. However, every kitchen requires a core selection of essential utensils for day-to-day use. Here are some of the most-used utensils that you'll always have a use for.

Chopping Boards

Before reaching for your chef knives, make sure you have a hygienic chopping board to protect your work surface. Having a complete set of colour coded chopping boards is a great way to ensure impeccable levels of food safety during any meal prep. Each colour is designed for use with a specific food group to help reduce the risk of cross contamination. As a bare minimum, raw and cooked food should be prepared on separate boards.

Low density chopping boards are lightweight and need to be replaced more regularly, while high density alternatives are thicker, tougher and more durable for long-lasting commercial use. Sets can be kept tidily in a chopping board rack, while specialist scrapers and brushes are available to keep them in top condition. Consider using wooden chopping boards if you want to protect your knife blades.

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Article: Our guide to Buying Colour Coded Chopping Boards explains how they can be used to maintain impeccable food hygiene in a commercial kitchen.

Spatulas and Turners

Turning food regularly is essential for achieving even cooking results, and is made easy when you use slotted and high heat turners and spatulas. These utensils include softer silicone, traditional wood and durable stainless steel as a choice of materials to match your cookware. These softer spatulas are also ideal for scraping pots and pans clean.

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Cooking Spoons

No kitchen is complete without cooking spoons and spoonulas. These multi-purpose utensils help you to prepare and serve food quickly and with minimal effort. They are ideal for anything from basting and boiling to baking and frying.

Wooden spoons are a preferred option for use with non-stick cookware as they will protect delicate surfaces. Silicone cooking spoons are also extremely resistant to high heat, but have added flexibility that makes them perfect for use with softer food or mixtures.

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Thermometers

Food thermometers are vital for food safety. A probe thermometer will quickly and accurately check the internal temperature of cooked foods, semi-solids or liquids. They are easy to clean and keep hygienic, with colour coded options also available for use with raw or cooked meat.

An infrared laser thermometer can be used to accurately check the surface temperature of food without the need to handle it. Using these food thermometers removes any guesswork from cooking. If you want to check the performances of your appliances, you can also use a specialist oven thermometer or fridge freezer thermometer.

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Tongs

Whether you're turning food on the grill, serving salads or mixing pasta like spaghetti or linguine with sauce, tongs are an essential part of any kitchen utensils collection. These versatile tools can be used for a variety of tasks.

Several pairs of tongs are always recommended. From the weighty feel of BBQ meat tongs to the fine precision of miniature plating tongs, each have different roles. Having a selection of colour coded serving tongs is also vital for a modern kitchen, and is a simple but highly effective way to reduce the risk of cross contamination.

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Meal Prep Utensils

If you want to create a memorable dish, you need to make sure your preparation is spot on. These popular utensils are designed for use with ingredients to ensure your meal prep runs as smoothly as possible.

• Food Grater - grates anything from cheese and vegetables to citrus fruits and chocolate. A box grater can offer up to six different grating styles to suit a wide variety of recipes. Handheld graters offer a faster alternative when only one coarseness level is required
• Potato Peeler - makes light work of tough skins. Speed peelers can also be used on vegetables and fruit. Consider using a julienne peeler if you want to be adventurous with more stylish cuts. To add a citrus twist, a zester is perfect for use on lemon or limes
• Mandoline Slicer - dramatically speeds up your veggie prep times. Clean and accurate cuts are assured with the minimum of effort. Buying a mandoline with interchangeable blades ensures you'll always have the correct coarseness, no matter what dish you're preparing
• Fruit Corer and Baller - gets the most out of your fruit. Easily remove apple cores, and serve attractive portions. Perfect for fruit salads, side dishes or garnishing
• Garlic Press - a quick and easy way to crush garlic cloves or simply loosen the peel. Made from strong aluminium, they are easy to use and even easier to clean
• Pestle and Mortar - can be used to pound or crush spices and herbs. Created centuries ago, but equally effective in any modern kitchen. Perfect if you're preparing marinades, dressings or seasonings
• Colander - drains wet food quickly and efficiently, getting it ready to serve faster. Used with anything from fruit, salad and vegetables to pasta and rice
• Kitchen Scales - ensures you're following any recipe with precision. Scales can be used alongside measuring spoons and measuring jugs to make sure you're adding exactly the right amount of ingredients

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Cooking Utensils

You've prepared your ingredients, now it's time to get to work. This collection of kitchen utensils can be used during all stages of the cooking process, making it easier than ever to create delicious dishes.

• Cooking Spoon - far more than just a spoon. Used for basting, boiling, baking and much more. Choose perforated spoons to drain food easily, or spoonulas to combine the benefits of a spoon and spatula
• Cooking Spatula - as useful scraping dirty pots and pans as it is flipping or turning food. Choose soft wooden or silicone spatulas if you're working with non-stick cookware
• Food Slice - lifts your delicate foods without damaging or tearing them. Choose from specialist fish and egg slices, or a range of lifters for cakes, pies and other pastries
• Potato Masher - takes the effort out of mashing potato or root vegetables. Smooth and fluffy mash guaranteed. For a finer texture, consider using a potato ricer with removable sieve
• Kitchen Spider - used to keep hands safe when working with hot oil or water. These lifters and skimmers will easily retrieve food from your fryer. Designed with high heat resistance and an extra long handle
• Conical Strainer - a popular choice for cooking stocks, soups, purees or sauces. Also known as a chinois, these strainers are a faster and more efficient alternative to sieves due to their shape. Various mesh sizes are available depending on the thickness of your mixture
• Balloon Whisk - mixes, stirs and whips ingredients. Choose a heavy wire whisk for thicker mixtures, or a light wire whisk for whipping air into lighter mixtures such as cream

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Portioning Utensils

If you don't monitor your portion sizes closely, your costs will soon start to increase. These specialist utensils are designed to give you strict portion control, ensuring you get the maximum amount of value from your food.

Food scoops are available in a range of sizes to accurately serve a set number of portions per litre. These sizes can vary from eight to 24 scoops per litre. If you're serving frozen desserts, choose a specialist ice cream scoop that is designed with a handle that warms in your hand.

Other portioning utensils include chip scoops for consistent servings of fries, plus a range of aluminium or polycarbonate scoops that are great for use with dry ingredients.

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Serving Utensils

It doesn't matter how delicious your food tastes if you haven't served it properly. An unattractive presentation will undo all your hard work in the kitchen instantly, so make sure you use the correct serving utensils to plate your dishes professionally.

• Kitchen Tongs - a hygienic way of plating food quickly and easily. Serving tongs are great for fruit, salad, potatoes and a variety of side dishes. A firm and secure grip is guaranteed at all times
• Serving Spoons - great for serving smaller ingredients or semi-solids. Choose a slotted spoon for draining freshly boiled food such as vegetables, rice or pasta as you serve them
• Ladles - perfect for serving sauces, soups or gravy. Bowl designs eliminate splashes or dribbles, allowing you to serve in style. A choice of sizes and handle lengths are available, with slotted options for draining excess moisture

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Specialist Utensils

If you're serving specialist dishes, sometimes standard kitchen utensils just don't cut it. This collection can be used to give your pizza, meat and seafood dishes the extra care and attention they need.

• Pizza Utensils - speed up meal prep while creating a safer working environment. Utensils such as pan grippers and pizza peels will protect staff from burns when working with a pizza oven. Having a professional range of pizza trays, screens and cutters will save time and effort when baking or serving
• Meat and Seafood Utensils - specialist tools to bring your meat and seafood dishes to life. Use a meat tenderiser or weight if you are serious about your steaks. For fish, a collection of bone tweezers, lobster picks and oyster knives will make preparation and service a breeze
• Kitchen Gadgets - all you need to make your meal preparation tasks easier. Reduced prep times, reduced effort - you'll wonder how you every did without these kitchen gadgets and tools

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