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, it would seem, such a simple thing is actually quite complicated. In any store you can find at least five options, what can we say about the diversity that is found on the Internet.

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

Under the kitchen spatula (since there are really many varieties of it) in a general sense, you can understand any object consisting of two parts: a working (canvas) and a pen. Both that and other part can be absolutely any form, which is determined by its purpose, because the spatula participates not only at different stages of cooking, but also in the process of its layout and table setting. With its help you can turn over and perform many other diverse activities.

A good paddle should have the following characteristics:

• convenience in work;
• resistance to temperature, odors and other factors common in the kitchen;
• hygiene;
• to approach the dishes and products (do not leave scratches and other defects);
• meet the standards and safety standards for humans;
• have a nice design.

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

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

• Wooden options historically appeared first. Their advantage is naturalness. They are suitable for pans requiring careful handling. The tree does not heat up, but it can catch fire or be charred by fire or a point of intense heat, so they should not be left on the stove.

• Plastic shovels are quite popular. Care should be taken to heat them, since at the point of contact with a hot surface the product may stratify or melt. In addition, poor quality plastic can secrete substances that trigger diseases. The load on such a product should be moderate, since the plastic does not have high strength. But the plastic spatula is lightweight and can be made in a variety of colors.

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

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

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 shoulder blade, 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 a few nuances.

• Rectangular and trapezoidal (tapering or widening towards the edge) are needed to work with large pieces of food. Round, oval and any other with a rounded front edge are more suitable for transfer from one place to another, the calculations of portioned dishes of the same shape.
• The working blade of the chef's shoulder may be short or long. The shorter the leaf, the more convenient it is 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 spatula is convenient to work only on dishes of the appropriate size. For a narrow saucepan or small frying pan, a small spatula will be required.
• The working part with slots and other openings functions on the skimmer principle. - through them there is an outflow of excess liquid (broth, sauce, oil). Paddles with grooves and sides (which at first glance look like big 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:

• Straight shovel (when the handle and the canvas are in the same plane) it is inconvenient to turn over and get the products, especially if the dishes are deep; they are mainly suitable for mixing only;
• 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 different actions (pry, turn over, lay out).

In addition to the above signs, the blades may 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 perimeter and thickening in the center (it is 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 table top and does not stain it).

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

• For frying fish or meat we need a rather wide and long shoulder blade with a thin edge, which can easily be picked up and turned over even by sticking to the bottom. At the same time, their integrity will not suffer, and excess fat will be drained.

• For any second course You can pick up a universal shovel. The bend of the long handle and the working cloth will allow you to extract cooked foods from dishes of any depth and gently shift them onto a plate.

• With the preparation of sauces, cereals and other semi-liquid dishes any spatula with a groove like a spoon can handle successfully. It must have a rather long handle to protect against steam. Similar options are often used for constant stirring.

• For lovers of confectionery will need all sorts of spatulas. With their help, you can easily mix different ingredients (for dough, cream, filling), to the last drop to remove them from any dish and distribute. This is possible due to the flexibility of the working part and the variety of forms.

• Not everyone knows that there is a special scapula 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. A canvas is quite wide, then to expand them. Its alternative are cake spatulas, the thin edges of which effortlessly cut any soft pastry.

• For proper serving dishes need a special serving spatula. Here, an important requirement is not only its ergonomics, but also a nice design. To shift portions of products was more accurate, you can use the spatula-tongs.

The opinion of people who have already tried them in the culinary field can tell the best about the quality and practicality of a spatula. 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 - it is a strong heat-resistant spatula for frying absolutely any dishes - meat, potatoes or pies. It is good because it protects the shape and color during the whole service life. The shoulder blade is light and comfortable to hold. It does not bend or scratch the non-stick coating.

• Taller TR-6100. The top coat is completely made of silicone. The material is easy to clean, no odor, does not deteriorate from heating. The working part is soft, but at the same time elastic.

This spatula can be used both for stirring when 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, it lies well in the hand, while the details are not removed, all the joints are strong. It does not absorb odors and is easy to clean, even in the dishwasher. This blade is suitable for turning pancakes, applying and leveling the cream - this is facilitated by thin edges and the working part of medium hardness.

• Vetta Practices - It is a wide blade with a comfortable handle and a bend. It is suitable for cooking and unfolding second courses. It is worth noting the good value for money. The model is made of plastic, which is odorless. The blade does not bend, with a long service life, resistant to heat.

As we have already seen, not one, but several blades are needed in the kitchen. Different manufacturers have ready-made kits. In them, all items are selected in accordance with the functions performed, which complement each other, and their design is taken into account - such a set can be a decoration of modern cuisine. However, not all devices are really convenient. To avoid this, a set of kitchen accessories can be assembled by hand.

To do this, you need to make a list of the most frequent dishes, find out what types of shovels you need, study the reviews and then go shopping. Individual items may cost less, saving your budget.

pay attention to the size of the blade entirely and the 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 a cluster of pollution.

Blades made from the same material are more practical.. If we are talking about a silicone blade, reinforced with a metal rod, it can be used as long as there is no damage on the outer layer.

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

How to choose a cooking spatula, see the next video.