Spoons & Stuff

Kitchens require an arsenal of cooking untensils. Make sure to stock up on these great products!

• Colanders

  

  Colanders are used to separate liquids from solids. Usually these are made of aluminum, but plastic is not uncommon.

• Fry Basket

  

  Frying baskets are used to hold foods that are dipped in boiling oil for deep-fat frying.

• Pasta Ladle

  

  Pasta ladles have prongs on the sides to help scoop up long noodles with ease.

• Ladle

  

  Ladles are used to stir and serve large cassaroles and soups.

• Soup Ladle

  

  Soup ladles are bigger and deeper than regular ladles, ideal for serving brothy soups.

• Pizza Cutter

  

  Pizza cutters are used for cutting pizza, but are also extremely useful for slicing pre-packaged dough and other thin, sticky substances.

• Pastry Brush

  

  Pastry brushes are usually used for coating breads with butter, spices, or sugar toppings.

• Strainer

  

  You can find a strainer to drain anything! Can strainers are extremely handy, while the traditional hand-held metal mesh strainer can't be beat.

• Skimmer

  

  Skimmers are flat slotted spoons, allowing you to skim solid objects off of the top of liquids.

• Mixing Bowl

  

  Mixing bowls are quite standard. Metal mixing bowls have thin walls, but are quite durable. Plastic and glass can also be used, but they are more prone to chipping, breaking, or cracking.

• Measuring Cups

  

  If you plan on cooking, plan on having three sets of these! Metal measuring cups are classy, while plastic is easier to work with.

• Measuring Spoons

  

  Plan on having several sets of these as well! Because of the amount of use these will take, it is never a shame to buy inexpensive plastic measuring spoons.

• Spatulas

  

  The spatula can be wood, metal, or synthetic. Hard spatulas are used to scrape and serve flat foods (like pancakes). Synthetic spatulas can be used to clean out bowls when pouring batter or when you're cleaning out the soup bowl. These are a must-have!

• Spoonula

  

  Spoonulas are a god-send! These are spoon-shaped, with the same pliable synthic edges as in traditional spatulas. Plan on stocking up with these!

• Slotted Spoon

  

  Slotted spoons can be used to strain food, but most often they are used to serve vegetables. This drains off access water from the vegetables.

• Tea Kettle

  

  This is used to boil water. This is primarily used for heating water for dishes.

• Tongs

  

  Tongs are used to remove items of food from hot mixtures, such as a hot dog that's swimming in a pot of boiling water.

• Turner

  

  Turners are specifically made to scrap flat items like pancakes or tortillas from pans.

• Balloon Whisk

  

  Balloon whisks are the traditionally shaped whisks. These can stir vinegars and other water mixtures very well, but are a pain to keep clean and store.

• Flat Whisk

  

  Flat whisks, like balloon whisks, stir watery mixtures very well, but are easier to keep clean and store.

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copyright 2006 R.Pflughaupt
last updated 02/09/2006