What to Consider When Buying Kitchen Utensil Sets

The joy of cooking can come to a screeching halt when your utensils aren’t compatible with your cookware or unable to withstand high levels of heat. Here’s how to choose the right tongs, spatulas, spoons and more for your collection and cooking needs.

Nylon utensils are great to pair with nonstick cookware, enamel-coated dutch ovens or cast-iron skillets as they won’t scratch them. They’re also flexible so you can scrape off corners better, ensuring you get every bit of your creation off the pan and onto the plate. One thing to beware of is nylon tends to be harder to clean than metal, wood or silicone so things such as eggs and rice can get stuck.

While counter space can be tough real estate to give up in your kitchen, it’s worth it for the convenience of having all your utensils at your fingertips when cooking a meal. A set that comes with a swivel based, slim line holder won’t take much space—and ensures you’re not fumbling through all ends of your kitchen, away from the stove, to find the right thing you need as soon as you need it.

If you’re doing a lot of frying, sautéing or other types of cooking that require high heat, silicone tools give you peace of mind that they won’t melt or get ruined. Some manufacturers even claim their silicone utensils have a high-heat resistance of up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit.