Kitchen spatulas: types and selection criteria

When making a list of the most necessary items for the kitchen, do not forget about the spatula. However, the choice of such a seemingly simple thing is actually quite complicated. In any store you can find at least five options, let alone the diversity that is found on the Internet.

Among so many offers, it's easy to get confused. To avoid this, you need to thoroughly approach the issue and consider all possible options.

Under the kitchen spatula (since there are really a lot of varieties) in the general sense, we can understand any object that consists of two parts: a working one (cloth) and a pen. And that and the other part can be absolutely any form, which is determined by its purpose, because the scapula is involved not only at different stages of cooking, but also in the process of layout and table setting. You can use it flip, distribute, move and perform many other various actions.

A good blade should have the following characteristics:

• convenience in work;
• resistance to temperature, smells and other factors that are often found in the kitchen;
• hygiene;
• approach dishes and products (do not leave scratches or other defects);
• comply with safety norms and standards for humans;
• have a nice design.

There are a lot of materials from which blades are made. Some are natural, others were created artificially. It is worth considering in more detail the most common options.

• Metal. The highest quality products are stainless steel. They are durable, do not bend, do not deform when heated. Such blades can work with all types of products. Since the material is easily heated, the handle must be protected by plastic or any other material with less thermal conductivity.

• Wooden versions historically appeared first. Their advantage is naturalness. They are suitable for pans that require careful handling. The tree does not heat up, but it can catch fire or char from fire or heat of a spot, so they should not be left on the stove.

• Plastic blades are quite popular. Caution should be taken when heating them, as the product may delaminate or melt at the point of contact with a hot surface. In addition, low-quality plastic can release substances that provoke diseases. The load on such a product should be moderate, since plastic does not have high strength. But the plastic spatula is light and can be performed in a variety of colors.

• Silicone They are safe for both humans and dishes. Products are easy to clean, do not absorb odors, and do not lose color over time. They are attractive not only for their practicality, but also for their pleasant appearance - you can find both bright color and translucent options. Pure silicone blades are excessively soft, so they are often reinforced with metal and plastic inserts.

• Nylon models in their properties are similar to silicone. They are more resilient, but inferior in terms of service life. At a cost they are more affordable.

The main difficulty is the choice of the shape of the scapula. Using the same option in different cases is inconvenient. But, looking at the shape of the scapula, it is sometimes difficult to say in which cases it is better to use it. Here you can focus not only on the manufacturer's instructions, but also on personal experience. It is worth paying attention to several nuances.

• Rectangular and trapezoidal (tapering or expanding to the edge) are needed to work with large pieces of food. Round, oval and any others with a rounded front edge are more suitable for transferring from one place to another, laying out portioned dishes of the same shape.
• The cooking blade of the cooker’s shoulder can be short or long. The shorter the canvas, the more convenient it is for them to work with dishes consisting of small parts. Large pieces can be deformed and need good support, so the canvas should be quite large. Do not forget that a wide or long shovel is convenient to work only on dishes of the appropriate size. For a narrow stewpan or a small frying pan, a small spatula is required.
• The working part with slots and other openings operates on the principle of a slotted spoon - through them there is an outflow of excess fluid (broth, sauce, oil). Blades with recesses and sides (which at first glance look like large spoons or scoops), on the contrary, retain all the contents, including liquid.

Of great importance is the method of connecting the working part and the handle, namely:

• with a straight spatula (when the handle and the cloth are in the same plane) it is inconvenient to turn over and remove products, especially if the dishes are deep; they are mainly suitable only for mixing;
• the handle with a bend is more maneuverable and convenient for various manipulations; the degree of bending can be different, such blades are suitable for various actions (pry, flip, lay out).

In addition to the above signs, the shoulder blades can be as follows:

• with a beveled front edge, corners or one corner (for dishes with a round bottom, semicircular walls);
• with one thin edge or thinning around the entire perimeter and a thickening in the center (it’s convenient to move them along the bottom of the dishes or any other surfaces, since the contact area will be large);
• with stand (because of it, the working part does not touch the tabletop and does not stain it).

Properly selected kitchen equipment allows you to cook various dishes so that they are not only tasty, but also maintain a pleasant appearance. For this, several varieties of blades are most often used.

• For frying fish or meat you need a fairly wide and long blade with a thin edge, which you can easily pry and flip even pieces adhered to the bottom. At the same time, their integrity will not be affected, and excess fat will drain.

• For any main course You can choose a universal blade. The bend of the long handle and the working blade will allow you to remove cooked foods from dishes of any depth and carefully place on a plate.

• With the preparation of sauces, cereals and other semi-liquid dishes any scapula with a recess like a spoon will successfully cope. It should have a fairly long handle to protect it from steam. Similar options are often used for constant stirring.

• For lovers of confectionery all kinds of spatulas will be needed. With their help, you can easily mix various ingredients (for dough, cream, toppings), to the last drop, remove them from any dishes and distribute. This is possible due to the flexibility of the working part and the variety of shapes.

• Not everyone knows that there is a special shovel-knife for pizza and pies. On one side there is a blade that allows you to simultaneously cut the product into pieces of the desired size. And the canvas is quite wide, so that then they can be laid out. Its alternative is cake spatulas, the thin edges of which effortlessly cut any soft pastries.

• For proper serving of dishes you need a special serving spatula. An important requirement here is not only its ergonomics, but also a nice design. To shift the portioned foods more accurately, you can use a spatula with tongs.

The best thing about the quality and practicality of a spatula is the opinion of people who have already tested them in the culinary field. Such information will never be superfluous when choosing kitchen utensils. It is worth considering the most popular models that have received good reviews.

• Tefal bienvenue - This is a durable heat-resistant spatula for frying absolutely any dishes - meat, potatoes or pies. It is good in that it protects form and color throughout the entire service life. The shoulder blade is light, it is convenient to hold in your hand. It does not bend or scratch the non-stick coating.

• Taller TR-6100. The top coat is made entirely of silicone. The material is easy to clean, odorless, does not deteriorate from heating. The working part is soft, but at the same time elastic.

This spatula can be used both for stirring during frying and for mixing ingredients in the confectionery business. It has a modern stylish design. An additional plus is an affordable price.

• Borner - This is a silicone pastry shovel. It is quite dense, lies well in the hand, while the parts are not removed, all joints are durable. It does not absorb odors and is easy to clean even in the dishwasher.Such a spatula is suitable for turning pancakes, applying and leveling the cream - this is facilitated by thin edges and the working part of medium hardness.

• Vetta Practitioner - This is a wide shoulder blade with a comfortable handle and a bend. It is suitable for cooking and unfolding main dishes. It is worth noting good value for money. The model is made of plastic, which is odorless. The blade does not bend, with a long period of use, is resistant to heat.

As we have already seen, in the kitchen you need not one, but several blades at once. Different manufacturers have ready-made sets. In them, all items are selected in accordance with the functions that complement each other, and their design is also taken into account - such a set can become an adornment of a modern kitchen. However, not all devices are really convenient. To prevent this from happening, you can assemble a set of kitchen accessories with your own hands.

To do this, you need to make a list of the most frequent dishes, find out what types of shoulder blades you need, study the reviews and then go shopping. Individual items may be cheaper, which will save your budget.

pay attention to whole blade size and dimensions of the working part. It should be proportionate to the dishes. A short handle can cause burns. Combined models often break at joints. In addition, the joints and all kinds of irregularities serve as an accumulation of pollution.

Blades made of one material are more practical. If we are talking about a silicone blade reinforced with a metal rod, you can use it until there is no damage on the outer layer.

It is necessary to determine in advance storage place for all kitchen utensils. A ring for hanging on a railing or wall will be an additional advantage, especially if the spatula is used often and should always be at hand. To keep the shoulder blade long it is important to follow the rules of its operation - do not exceed the maximum permissible temperature and properly care for it.

See how to choose a culinary shoulder blade in the next video.