| Your first step is to figure out what type of | | | | the wooden utensil. Also, if you purchase wood, |
| cooking you prefer to do. This will inform your | | | | make sure you buy utensils that are treated to |
| selection of cooking utensils. If you prefer to bake | | | | inhibit bacteria growth, as wood can tend to |
| you will need an entirely different set of cooking | | | | present a favorable environment for bacteria. |
| utensils than if you prefer to cook Asian stir-fry. | | | | Stainless steel cooking utensils are by far the |
| For more resources login to Once you've decided | | | | least likely to allow bacteria to thrive, and are by |
| this, you can make a list of the types of utensils | | | | far the easiest cooking utensils to clean. They are |
| you will need. | | | | attractive to look at, and are available with a wide |
| Just as the way you cook should inform which | | | | variety of handle styles and tool heads. |
| cooking utensils you choose, so should also | | | | The downside of stainless steel cooking utensils, |
| consider what will work with your cookware. | | | | however, is that they can scratch nonstick or |
| Different cooking surfaces require different | | | | cast iron pots. Even if you are very careful, you |
| utensils. For example, if you use a frying pan, you | | | | risk damaging the all-important cooking surface, as |
| need a spatula. If you use a nonstick frying pan, | | | | stainless steel is typically harder than cast iron or |
| you will need a spatula that is soft enough so as | | | | the materials used for nonstick cookware. |
| not to scratch the all-important cooking surface. | | | | Plastic utensils are made expressly to avoid |
| Thus when choosing cooking materials, material is | | | | scratching the surfaces of nonstick or cast iron |
| key. | | | | pots, and tends to be easy to clean. That's the |
| The most common materials for cooking utensils | | | | good news. Plastic, however, has its |
| are wood, stainless steel, and plastic. Each has its | | | | disadvantages. Plastic cooking utensils are not as |
| advantages and disadvantages. Like pots and | | | | resistant to heat as wood or metal, and may |
| pans, you may buy utensils in sets if you wish, or | | | | actually melt if left in a hot pot unattended. You |
| you may buy cookware one piece at a time. | | | | can also visit us at That could at best be difficult |
| Wood is a popular traditional choice for some | | | | to clean, and at worst, ruin the pan. Additionally, if |
| utensils, such as spoons and spatulas. One of the | | | | a plastic utensil melts, it can contaminate the food |
| distinct advantages of wood is that it will not | | | | it melts in. |
| scratch even the most delicate cooking surfaces. | | | | Wooden cooking utensils are typically not terribly |
| Another advantage of wood as a material for | | | | expensive, with simple sets being even below $5. |
| utensils is that it does not conduct heat. Wood is | | | | Special use items may cost more, up to $50 or |
| also very durable and won't melt, even in an | | | | so. Plastic utensils tend to be very affordable, |
| unattended pan. | | | | also, with single pieces going for around $2, and |
| The disadvantage of wood utensils is that they | | | | specialty items in the $45 range. Stainless steel is |
| are harder to clean than stainless steel or plastic | | | | the most expensive, but still very reasonably |
| cooking utensils. Additionally, if used in soups and | | | | priced, at $10 for a single piece, or $15 for a top |
| sauces, the soup or sauce can penetrate the | | | | quality 9 piece set. |
| wood, which could make it necessary to replace | | | | |