Spatula (Equipment Overview)

If different people were asked to describe a spatula, they would all offer different answers describing different tools. That’s because there are three main types of spatula: scrapers, spreaders, and turners. Each one is a different tools with different uses.

TYPES OF SPATULAS AND THEIR USES

SCRAPERS typically have a long, thin handle made of a stiff material, like plastic or wood, and they have a wide head made of a flexible material like rubber or silicone. The heads generally come in one of two shapes: a flat paddle or a gently curved spoon. They are great for stirring sauces and preventing any scorching to the bottom of a pan, folding ingredients together gently, or scraping bowls and containers to reduce waste.

SPREADERS have a short handle, and a long, thin, metal head that is not sharpened. The head can come straight out of the handle, or it can be offset slightly. Most often these are used for spreading icing on cakes or peanut butter on a sandwich. They can also be used to help reach that last little bit of mayo at the bottom of a jar.

TURNERS have a small handle with an offset neck and a wide head. They are typically made of metal or high heat silicone. Turners are used to pick up food that is cooking in a pan or on a grill and either move it around or turn it over, like with pancakes or hamburgers.

SHOPPING FOR A SPATULA

SCRAPER: When buying a scraper look for high heat silicone head, and a comfortable handle. A high heat head will work just fine on low and no heat, but a low heat rubber head is not as versatile.

SPREADERS: Spreaders are pretty simple to buy. Go with a stainless steel, offset, 8” spatula. Stainless steel is non toxic, holds its shape well, and is easy to clean. The offset blade lets you keep your hand away from whatever you are working with. Other sizes may be useful for larger or more detailed tasks, but a 8” spreader is a great for general use.

TURNERS: Buy turners based on use. If you need something for incredibly high heat, like a grill or outdoor griddle, or to do some heavy scraping in a pan, go with a stainless steel head and a longer handle. If you are mostly cooking over moderately high heat, and do not need to scrape hard, or if you have softer cookware, go with a high heat silicone head, and as short of a handle as you are willing to work with. Shorter handles will allow for more control, longer handles let your hand stay further away from the heat.

PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS

Here are a few recommendations if you are in the market for a spatula.*

Vovoly Silicone Spoon Spatula ($)

Gorilla Grip Flexible Spatula ($)

Rubbermaid 9.5" Spoon Scraper ($)

OXO Good Grips Silicone Flexible Flipper ($$)

OXO Icing Spatula ($$$)

NEXT STEPS

When it comes to cooking savory meals, scrapers and turners are incredibly helpful, and spreaders tend to be used less. But each Home Chef is different. Figure out what works best for you!

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