All-Purpose Spoons

Kitchen spoons come in two varieties: solid and slotted. The solid spoons are great for stirring, spooning out small amounts and basting meat. Slotted spoons can be used to stir stocks and broths to ensure none of the larger spices get stirred around and around in the soup. The slots can also be useful when trying to remove larger spices, such as bay leaves, from the mixture.

When selecting the material type for the spoons, the two most common materials are metal and plastic. Metal can be an economical option and the surface is generally more resistant to stains. Metal is also a durable material that takes the heavy use that is required of it in a kitchen. However, metal conducts heat and the spoons can get extremely hot very quickly and can burn the user’s hand. Plastic does not conduct heat as well, so the risk of burning is much lower. The plastic spoons are very dishwasher safe and will not rust but they tend to stain much more easily than their metal counterparts.