Finding The Best Spatula For Eggs, Nonstick Pans, Cast Iron and More
In this guide, we will be taking a detailed look at the world of kitchen spatulas. We will cover many different spatula types, including the best spatula for non stick pans, as well as the best spatula for a stainless steel pan. I will also include some theory on these various spatulas, to explain why there are so many different types. With that in mind, let us get started.
Kitchen Spatulas 101
How We Selected The Spatulas
In order to bring you the best products available, we applied some rigorous criteria when we selected these spatulas. Seeing as though there are many different types and uses for spatulas, we decided to include most, if not all, of these uses.
With that in mind, we have divided this guide into categories. These include spatulas by type of container, by method, by type of food, and so on. There are also special categories, which I will tell you about later. The first category we are going to take a look at will be spatulas by material, so let’s get started.
Spatulas by Material
What is the best material for a spatula?
There are many different materials for spatulas available. It is impossible to say what the best material is, since they all have different applications. However, I will tell you that the most versatile material is silicone, or silicone-coated products. They can be used with sensitive surfaces, as well as mixing and scraping. Let’s go over all of the different materials individually, so you can see what I mean.
1. Best Metal Spatula: Chef Craft Select
The Chef Craft Select Stainless Steel Turner spatula is a classic choice. Its design is classic, and it is made of durable stainless steel. It is very important that your metal spatula is made of a durable material. That is because of all the oil and food juices it will come into contact with can degrade the spatula over time. This spatula can also be used for classic omelets, and it is the perfect example of a great turner spatula. Our rating: 87
2. Best Silicone Spatula: Castle Cookware
A good silicone spatula is a vital tool in any kitchen. There are various types and shapes available, but this Castle Cookware spatula is a great silicone turner spatula. I chose this one because it is useful for flipping foods on sensitive surfaces. These include cast iron skillets, as well as ceramic and Teflon pans. The main benefit of this spatula is its heat resistant properties. It can withstand temperatures of up to 600° F. That is vital for high-heat meat searing jobs! There are also other great tools available for this, as I will show you later. Our rating: 95
3. Best Wooden Spatula: FAAY 11 Inch Teak Wood
Wooden spatulas are beautiful, rustic, and indispensable. There are certain things you can only mix with wooden spatulas, because doing so with anything else simply feels wrong! This FAAY 11 Inch Teak Wood spatula is a fantastic choice for this category, for a few reasons. Firstly, its shape is well-suited for any sort of task. Secondly, the wood quality is excellent, so it will last you a long time. Just make sure to dry it off when you wash it! Our rating: 97
4. Best Plastic Spatula: KitchenAid Nylon Slotted Turner
In spite of my love for rustic wooden spatulas, plastic spatulas have been taking over kitchens worldwide. They are very versatile and durable, not to mention, cheap. This one, made by KitchenAid, is a fantastic addition to any kitchen. That is because it was made by a well-trusted manufacturer using the best materials available. It is also made in a classic shape that can be used for many different applications. Our Rating: 83
Are Plastic Spatulas Safe?
People keep asking me whether plastic spatulas are safe for food preparation. The short answer is - yes! The concern with plastic spatulas is that they could melt because of high heat. That melted plastic could then find its way into the food, which is very problematic.
However, there is no reason for concern. The plastic used for these spatulas is heat-resistant, and food grade. That being said, maybe you could have some problems with cheap, lower-end spatulas, but all the ones I’m recommending are guaranteed to be perfectly safe.
What Is The Safest Spatula Material?
This is another question I get very often. Like I said about the different materials, there is no one right answer. If you are worried about artificial materials seeping into your food, you could avoid silicone or plastic spatulas. You could use wooden spatulas instead, those are perfectly safe.
Wooden or metal spatulas are also a great choice if you are concerned about your spatulas melting. Between those two, would probably choose the wood. That’s because wood is less likely to scratch the delicate seasoning of a cast iron skillet, or the surface of a Teflon pan.
Spatulas By Type Of Surface
As I have said already, some spatulas are better suited for certain types of surface than others. Let’s take a look at these surfaces, as well as some spatula recommendations for them.
5. Best Spatula For a Non-Stick Pan: Castle Cookware Turner
We already met the acquaintance of this spatula, when we talked about silicone spatulas. This Castle Cookware Spatula Turner is a great all-round spatula, and I am going to recommend it in one more category later on. It’s also amazing for cooking on a non-stick pan, since it is very soft, so it won’t damage the surface. As we already know, it is highly heat-resistant. That means it is great for high-heat searing, whether it’s burgers or pork chops. Our rating: 95
6. Best Spatula For A Cast Iron Skillet: OXO Good Grips Silicone
Cast iron skillets really have a special place in my heart. There is absolutely nothing that will sear a steak to perfection like a well-seasoned cast iron skillet. That is why we have to take care of these. The number one cause of damage to cast iron skillets is using hard metal spatulas when cooking with them. That is why this soft, heat-resistant OXO Good Grips Silicone flexible spatula is the perfect fit for your precious cast-iron. Our rating: 89
7. Best Spatula For A Stainless Steel Pan: Unicook Silicone
You use stainless steel pans when you want things to stick to it. They are great for encouraging the Maillard reaction, the browning of meat. You can then make fantastic pan sauces by simply deglazing the pan with water or stock, so you don’t waste all that flavor. The Unicook Silicone Flexible spatula closely resembles the previous one, but its dimensions make it a better fit for stainless steel pans with relatively high sides. Our rating: 87
8. Best Spatula For A Ceramic Pan: US Lounger Large Silicone
Ceramic pans are among the most common household pans. Ceramic is a great material for pans, because it’s highly heat-conductive, and it has non-stick properties as well. However, it is quite delicate. That is why you should use a silicone or plastic spatula when cooking with them. This US Lounger Large spatula set is perfect for day-to-day cooking, and it won’t damage the ceramic surface. Our rating: 83
9. Best Spatula For An Iron Skillet: OXO Good Grips Silicone
Iron skillets are a bit lower quality than cast iron skillets, but they are still fantastic for searing meat. They are just as sensitive as cast-iron, however. That is why I am recommending the same spatula as I did for the cast iron skillet. The OXO Good Grips Turner really is a great, versatile piece of equipment. It is especially useful for meat, or even pancakes, since it gives you a fair bit of leverage. Our rating: 89
10. Best Spatula For Carbon Steel Pans: di Oro Living Chef Series
Carbon steel pans are very similar to cast iron pans. They are made of roughly the same materials, carbon and steel, but in different proportions. Carbon steel pans are less brittle than cast iron pans, but they have to be seasoned with oil as well. That is why they also require soft spatulas. This Chef Series Spatula from di Oro Living is amazing, because it combines the best of both worlds. It is made of stainless steel and silicone, so it provides both sturdiness and flexibility. Our rating: 95
11. Best Spatula For Teflon Pans: UpGood Turner Set
Teflon is a wonder-material in the world of cooking. It allows you to sear food without using any oil, or any other type of lubrication. Its non-stick properties are legendary. However, that also makes it quite delicate. That is why you need to use soft spatulas when dealing with Teflon pans. My suggestion is to get this UpGood turner set, since it is perfect for any type of food you may want to prepare with a Teflon pan. Our rating: 95
12. Best Spatula For a Porcelain Pan: di Oro Living Chef Series
Porcelain pans are a very useful kitchen tool for baking and searing alike. That is because they are highly heat-conductive, as well as non-stick. However, if you scratch these, they will lose this non-stick property. That is why I am recommending a great silicone spatula for this. In fact, this di Oro Living Chef Series is the same spatula I recommended for ceramic pans, since the principle is the same. Our rating: 95
Spatulas by Type of Container
In addition to flipping and handling of foods, spatulas are also used to scrape down various containers. These are usually made of a flexible silicone, which is well suited for that purpose. In this section, we will go over some of the different containers, and I will recommend a spatula for each.
13. Best Spatula for Blender: KitchenAid Gourmet Blender
In any serious kitchen, a blender is an indispensable tool. We use them to make all sorts of sauces and purees, but they can sometimes be difficult to clean out. That is why some enterprising people came up with the idea of skinny spatulas made to scrape down blenders efficiently. This KitchenAid Gourmet Blender spatula is the best choice for the purpose. That is because its shape is perfect for getting into blender jugs, and the material is well suited for detailed scraping. Our rating: 97
14. Best Spatula for Mixing Bowl: OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Set
Mixing bowls are the containers you will be scraping down most often. Since so many different mixtures are made in these, they often require different spatulas for the job. That is why for this category, I am recommending a three-piece silicone spatula set. The OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Set includes a standard silicone spatula, made in a bowl-friendly shape. There is another spatula in the same shape, only smaller. Finally, there is what we in the business call a spoonula, which is useful for putting things like buttercream into piping bags, and similar tasks. Our rating: 93
15. Best Spatula for a food Processor: StarPack Premium
Food processors are similar to blenders, but there is a key difference. Food processors are wider, which changes the whole blending dynamic. With that in mind, you don’t need a skinny spatula for those. That is why I suggest getting this two-piece spatula set from StarPack Home. The shape of the spatula head is really what makes them suited for this purpose. It’s more straight than the previous spatula, for example, which makes it better for scraping down the sides of food processors, which are usually straight. Our rating: 97
16. Best Spatula For Vitamix: KitchenAid Gourmet Blender
A Vitamix is a vital (!) component of a professional kitchen. They are the industry standard for blenders, which is why big chains such as Starbucks and McDonald’s use them extensively. In fact, I got this KitchenAid spatula for my kitchen when I saw an employee in McDonald’s use it to scrape down a Vitamix really fast. That is why I am recommending it here as well. Our rating: 97
Spatulas by Method of Use
As you may have already deduced, there are a wide variety of spatulas available, according to various factors. One of these factors is also the type of cooking you are going to use it for. There are different spatulas for grilling, cake making, icing, scraping, and so on. I’ll even recommend a spatula for soap making, for those seeking Instagram fame!
17. Best Spatula For Baking: Dafi Kitchen 2 Premium Silicone
For this category, I selected a three-piece set which is perfect for baking. The Dafi Kitchen Premium Set consists of two turner spatulas and a silicone brush. The turners are really useful for cookies, croissants, dutch pastry, and so on. They are vital for transferring the baked goods from the baking tray onto a cooling rack. That is because pastries get soggy if left to cool on baking trays, due to the steam buildup. The brush is perfect for egg-washing your pastries, which gives them a lovely shine and a professional finish. Our rating: 97
18. Best Spatula for Cake Icing: Wilton Icing Spatula Set
In the world of cake icing, offset spatulas are your constant companion. They are used for a wide variety of purposes. If you want a professional finish to your cake icing, there is nothing better. However, I also use these to level off cake batter, and even remove small cookies from the baking tray. This Wilton 3-piece set of offset spatulas in increasing sizes will set you up for success in the cake decorating business. Our rating: 99
19. Best Spatula for Grilling: Zenware 3 Piece Stainless Steel Set
There really is nothing like doing some casual grilling on the weekends, with your friends and family. However, grilling at work is really not my favorite thing to do. The only thing helping me in my misery is this set of grilling spatulas from Zenware, which make the job much easier. I am recommending these from long personal experience. This three-piece set is everything you need to make fantastic burgers, skirt steaks, pork chops, and any other meat you could think of. Our rating: 89
20. Best Spatula for Soap Making: StarPack Premium Silicone
Though I am by no means an expert on soap making, I was asked to recommend a spatula suited for that purpose anyway. That is why I decided to play it safe, and recommend an all-around spatula set fit for any purpose. You will remember that I also recommended this StarPack Premium Silicone set for your food processor. If you get these, just make sure you have one set for your food processor, and another for soap making! Our rating: 97
21. Best Spatula for Scraping: di Oro Silicone Heat-Resistant
Scraping is the number 1 use for flexible silicone spatulas. However, in my experience, their shape is the most important factor. Different shapes are better suited for different scraping jobs. That is why I am recommending this di Oro Living Silicone 3-piece set with three different shapes of spatula. There is a standard one with a curved edge, a small one with a curved edge, and a regular one with straight edges. These three will have you covered, whatever the scraping job is. Our rating: 97
Spatulas by Food Type
Another key element that goes into your selection of spatula is the type of food you will be using it for. This section will contain spatula recommendations for all sorts of breakfast egg dishes, as well as burgers, cookies, crepes, and even fish. We have already had some recommendations for a few of these foods, but let’s take a bit of a deeper dive here.
22. Best Spatula for Eggs: OXO Good Grips Nylon Spoon
Sunny side up eggs are a true breakfast staple. That is why they merit their own spatula. I am recommending this OXO Good Grips nylon square turner with aesthetically designed holes. There are several advantages to this spatula. It is made of heat-resistant nylon, with a comfortable, ergonomic handle. On top of that, its shape is perfect for flipping and removing eggs from pans. It’s soft, so it won’t damage your pan, whether it’s Teflon or cast iron. Our rating: 91
23. Best Spatula for Scrambled Eggs: Vollrath High-Temperature
Scrambled eggs are a contentious dish in the world of professional cooking. Everyone seems to have their own definition of what the perfect scrambled eggs are. For me, Gordon Ramsay's creamy, custard-like scrambled eggs are the golden standard for this dish. That is why I am suggesting this classic Vollrath High Temperature silicone spatula for this purpose. Its shape is well-suited for the sort of vigorous mixing and smearing you need to do to make Ramsay's scrambled eggs perfectly. Our rating: 95
24. Best Spatula for Omelet: Chef Craft Select Stainless Steel
You may remember this spatula from the beginning of this guide. It is just the classic Chef Craft Select choice for an omelet. That is, if you do your omelet the way I do it, and that is Denver style. To do that, you just mix the eggs up with a whisk, and pour it into a really hot pan. Then you would fold it over, and remove it to a plate using the spatula. That’s it. For a french omelet, you would need a different sort of spatula. If that’s what you want, your best bet would be the one I recommended for scrambled eggs. Our rating: 87
25. Best Spatula for Burgers: Anmarko Metal Stainless Steel Set
Professional results require professional gear. That is especially true for making great burgers. This two-piece burger spatula set from Anmarko is a great start. The larger spatula is good for flipping multiple burgers at once, as we do in the professional kitchen. The smaller one can certainly be used to flip one burger at a time, but it has a more important purpose. It is the ultimate tool for stacking cheeseburgers on top of one another! Our rating: 95
26. Best Spatula For Cookies: GLOUE Silicone 4-Piece Set
This is not a spatula set for lifting cookies off the cookie sheet. For that, see above. This GLOUE Silicone set is the perfect toolbox for making cookie dough. Cookie dough has to be smeared together by hand, if you don’t have a strong stand mixer. That is where these spatulas come in, since they have the perfect shape for the task. The flat silicone spoonula is especially useful for transferring dough into plastic wrap, for cooling. Our rating: 93
27. Best Spatula for Crepes: Wilton Angled Icing Spatula
Crepes are my personal favorite dessert, that is why I hold a number of very strong views on the matter. One of those views is that they should only be flipped using a large offset spatula. Using anything else is far more likely to tear the delicate crepes, which is not what we want. I have used a Wilton offset spatula very similar to this one for years, and I can’t recommend it enough. Our rating: 95
28. Best Spatula for Flipping Pancakes: Anmarko Professional
When it comes to pancakes, I am a bit less impassioned. The key thing when choosing a spatula for flipping pancakes is the ability to accommodate any size of pancake. That is why I chose this Anmarko Professional Stainless Steel set, which includes three spatulas and a bench scraper. The different sizes will come in handy for various pancake sizes, and the bench scraper is a neat bonus. Are bench scrapers a type of spatula? Scientists still don’t know the answer to that one! Our rating: 92
29. Best Spatula for Fish - Beard Steel HGT Professional Fish
This spatula looks completely different to all of the other spatulas we’ve covered so far. That is because it only has one real purpose - to flip fish, and remove it from pans. That is why it has a slightly bent shape, so that the slimy fish fillet doesn’t slip off. Furthermore, the oil can just drip through the gaps in the spatula, which is very efficient. I chose this Beared Steel HGT Professional Fish 2-pack Spatulas for this one, because, in my experience, fish often needs more leverage. Our rating: 94
30. Best Spatula for High Heat: Castle Cookware Silicone Turner
I already recommended this Castle Cookware Silicone spatula twice at the very beginning. It is one of my favorites, so I am recommending it here as well. It is a perfect spatula for almost any purpose. However, its heat resistance is impressive in itself. It can take up to 600°F without melting, and it has a stainless steel core. That makes it very versatile and very durable. Our rating: 95
31. Best Turner Spatula: Chef Craft Stainless Steel Turner
I am also repeating this Chef Craft Stainless Steel spatula here as well. That is because it’s a classic turner shape, made out of quality materials. That ensures that it will last you a very long time, no matter what you choose to turn with it. Our rating: 87
32. Best Spatula Made in the USA: Rada Cutlery Non-Scratch
A lot of people are concerned about food grade items made in third-world countries. While there is no reason for such concern, some people just feel better with an authentic, US made product. That is why I am recommending this fantastic Rada Cutlery Non-Scratch spatula, made in Waverly, Iowa. Our rating: 87
33. Best Spatula Set: HomeHero Silicone Cooking Utensils
Though I have been recommending spatula sets on this list for a while, this HomeHero Silicone Cooking Utensils Set is really special. That is because it contains almost all of the utensils you could need in your kitchen. The spatulas included in this set are a flexible silicone spatula, two turners, and a fish spatula. The rest of the tools include a whisk, a ladle, tongs, and so on. All of these are made of soft nylon, and are heat-resistant. Our rating: 93
34. Best Spatula Brand
It is very difficult to select the best spatula brand. There is a lot of competition, and most of the products are pretty good. If I were to select a few brands, however, that is much easier. The staples such as Wilton and KitchenAid have to be mentioned, as well as OXO and diOro. Any of these brands have consistently had great products, so this choice is really up to you.
Further information on Spatulas
In this section, I will answer a few common questions about spatulas. I will also clear up certain misunderstandings, and explain some design choices.
What is the difference between a turner and a spatula?
Spatula terminology is confusing, even for spatula experts such as myself. The answer to this question lies in a person’s definition of a spatula. For me, the term spatula encompasses a wide array of different kitchen tools. That is why I would say that turners are a subset of the wider spatula family.
What does a spatula do?
If you have read through to here, and you still have to ask this question, I don’t know what to tell you. Spatulas can be used for flipping, spreading, smearing, moving, and otherwise manipulating food. It all depends on your imagination!
Different types of spatulas
As I hinted at earlier, there are various types of spatula. I would say the main differentiating factor is its purpose. In that regard, there are spatulas used to move food, and to smear and spread food. Those used to move food can be subdivided further into flippers, traditional spatulas with holes or slots, and fish spatulas. Those used to smear food include flexible silicone spatulas, spoonulas, as well as offset spatulas.
What do you need a rubber scraper for?
This one is simple. Silicone scrapers are really useful when cleaning out various creams, sauces, and other delicious things. Quite simply, you don’t want to waste all that delicious food you just made. Also helps with cleanup a lot!
Is a fish slice a spatula?
Seeing as though I already included it on my list, you know my answer to that one. With that being said, fish slices are a bit different compared to other spatulas. They are a hybrid of a strainer and a spatula, since the slits in the spatula are vital for its functioning.
What is the difference between a fish slice and a spatula?
Though they can both be used for some of the same things, there are a few differences between the two. The most important one is that fish slices are made of a thin sheet of stainless steel, which makes it bendy. That flexibility is vital for getting under the fish, between the skin and the hot pan. On the other hand, if you tried to flip a fish with a flexible silicone spatula, you would be in a lot of trouble.
How to use a fish spatula
This is very simple. As I have already said, fish spatulas are thin and bendable That allows them to slide under the fish better than a rigid spatula. So, for proper fish flipping technique, angle the spatula at around 60 degrees in relation to the pan, and push down. That will bend the spatula a bit, and give you more control, which is exactly the point.
Why is there a hole in a spatula?
Good question. Those holes seem to have always been there, and nobody really knows why. My guess is that the holes help reduce the forward weight of spatulas, especially metal ones. These holes are also useful for draining off any excess oil or water. In the case of fish spatulas, the slits allow for more flexibility.
Tips for proper spatula care
Depending on the material a spatula is made of, there are many different ways to care for them. The most important thing for all spatulas is that they are thoroughly degreased after each use. That prevents the oil flavor seeping into the spatula itself. That happens to wooden, silicone, and plastic spatulas.
With stainless steel spatulas, the thing you should worry about is rust. Although they are ‘stainless’, they can start to corrode if you don’t dry them after washing them. For spatulas with holes, it is best to soak them in hot water and dish soap immediately after use, so that the holes are easier to clean afterward.
Other than that, just check whether your spatula is dishwasher safe, and that’s it.
In Conclusion…
There we have it, a detailed guide to spatulas, their uses, shapes and sizes, you name it! Whether you are looking for the best spatula for non stick pans, the best spatula for stainless steel pans, or you would just like to see what’s out there, I hope this guide was able to give you what you were looking for. Thank you for going on this spatula journey with me!
