The 6 Best Kitchen Utensil Sets, According to Our Test Kitchen
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These kitchen utensil sets will not only elevate your cooking experience, they look pretty on your counter, too.
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No matter your level of enthusiasm or expertise, your choice of kitchen utensils can make all the difference in your cooking experience. High-quality utensils do not leach chemicals or retain bacteria when properly cared for, and they don't retain or transfer odors from dish to dish. The right tools will make any process less challenging (like turning fish with a spoon or whisking with a fork) and can even inspire you to try new recipes or cook in a healthier way. For example, a good heat-resistant spatula may help you cook with less oil, while using silicone or wooden utensils on your nonstick cookware can extend its life (and ensure no Teflon contaminates your dish).
Choosing the right kitchen utensils can be a very personal decision, and everything from your hand size to your type of cookware and overall aesthetic can impact your choices. Knowing which tools you prefer is often something you learn over time as trial and error teach you what works best for you. From the length of the tool’s handle to the material of the utensil head, the nuances of kitchen utensils are pretty broad, and the options are extensive.
We spent six weeks testing 23 top utensil sets to help you find the right set for your individual style and needs. Our evaluation criteria included versatility, comfort, heat resistance and ease of cleaning, among other factors. We also looked for any redundancies in the utensils included and considered the types of cookware most compatible with the utensil materials. Finally, we observed each set for long-term wear and tear incurred after frequent use. Here's what we found.
Our Kitchen Utensil Set Recommendations
Best Overall: GIR 10-Piece Best Sellers Set
Also Great: AOTHOD Silicone Cooking Utensils Set, Set of 15
Best Value: Kaluns Kitchen Utensil Set, 35-Piece Set
Best Splurge: Caraway Prep Set, 14-Piece Set
Best Small Set: Chef’n 6-Piece Tool Set with Crock
Best Spatula Set: Le Creuset Craft Series Utensil Set, 5-Piece
Best Overall: GIR 10-Piece Best Sellers Set
Amazon
What we like: We really enjoyed the solid silicone construction and sturdy handles on each piece.
What to know: We would have liked a utensil holder to round out this set.
Constructed of high-quality silicone, the GIR (Get It Right) Best Sellers Set is heat-safe to 550°F and molded in a continuous form from handle to head. Available in multiple colors, the set includes three sizes of spatulas plus a large and small spoon, a ladle, a turner and a spoonula (i.e. one of those scoop-like tools that can double as both a spatula and a spoon). There's also a whisk and peeler included in the set, making it complete enough for someone building their kitchen toolkit from scratch, as well as the seasoned cook with an extensive range of cooking applications to tackle.
Though the set didn’t include a utensil holder, the pieces can be easily stored in a drawer or a crock on the counter. We found the GIR tools to be very strong yet appropriately flexible when used with heavy or thick foods, leaving no fear of the handle snapping mid-stir. Additionally, the materials stood up to high heat and barely looked used after several weeks of frequent use. Compatible with any type of cookware and easy to clean in the dishwasher, this set was a clear winner for us.
Number of Pieces: 10 | Pieces Included: Spatulas, turner, spoons, ladle, whisk, peeler, spoonula | Material: Silicone | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Heat Resistant: 550°F
Also Great: AOTHOD Silicone Cooking Utensils Set, Set of 15
Amazon
What we like: We liked how this larger set allowed us to use one utensil while another was in the dishwasher.
What to know: The utensil holder included with this set doesn’t fit the aesthetic of the tools—and it barely fits all of them.
The AOTHOD set features 14 utensils and a caddy intended for tidy storage. All utensils are fully molded from 100% silicone (except for the whisk and tongs, which also feature metal parts), and they have a temperature rating of 446°F, making them safe for frying and other high-temperature cooking techniques. Though none of the utensils were redundant, some were similar enough to substitute easily if another was not clean at that moment—a real plus, if you ask us.
Some standouts in this set include the deep ladle, which we found perfect for serving up soups and plating food, and the spatulas, which were long enough to work with fish and handy for all of our regular applications. A citrus juicer and a thinner spatula are unique to this set, and they are both excellent options for spreading condiments or icing pastry items. The items in this set are also dishwasher-safe.
While we felt this was an incredible set, the utensil holder did not match the sleek aesthetic of the group and could barely contain all of the utensils, which caused us to deduct a few points.
Number of Pieces: 15 | Pieces Included: Ladle, spoons, turners, server, basting brush, whisk, tongs, skimmer, spatulas, utensil holder | Material: Silicone, metal | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Heat Resistant: 446°F
EatingWell / Henry Hackett
Best Value: Kaluns Kitchen Utensil Set, 35-Piece Set
Amazon
What we like: The largest of our tested sets, the Kaluns includes a cheese grater and ice cream scoop.
What to know: The set also includes hooks for hanging the tools, but you'll need to have a bar of some sort to hang them on.
This standout set really brought the value with a total of 34 utensils (the hooks count as the 35th piece), putting each piece at an average price of $0.38. We think this is an incredible price for well-made utensils that fit just about any needs in the kitchen, from savory to sweet.
We used the cheese grater to make a batch of mac and cheese, and it sliced through five blocks of cheese as if they were butter. The angle of the ladle’s handle and depth of the spoon made scooping very easy, while the ribbing added comfort and confidence to the utensils’ grips.
Perfect for someone setting up their first house or just heading to college, this set also features long tongs, measuring cups and spoons and a potato masher. All of the pieces are listed as dishwasher-safe—although, to preserve the sharp edges of the grater, we personally do not recommend putting that one into the dishwasher.
And after several weeks of daily use and repeated washing, none of the utensils showed any signs of wear—a testament to the value of this comprehensive set.
Number of Pieces: 35 | Pieces Included: Soup ladle, spoons, turners, potato masher, whisk, grater, spatula, tongs, ice cream scoop, measuring cups, measuring spoons, dough scrapers, hanging hooks | Material: Nylon, stainless steel, silicone | Dishwasher Safe: Yes | Heat Resistant: 350°F
EatingWell / Katie Zhang
Best Splurge: Caraway Prep Set, 14-Piece Set
Caraway
What we like: The Caraway Prep Set comes with a sleek and well-designed magnetic knife block and a separate tool organizer for stylish storage.
What to know: The tongs do not have a locking mechanism, and the bread knife was too short to cut large loaves.
The Prep Set from Caraway Home—a company built on eco-friendly, non-toxic kitchenware—is constructed with a combination of birchwood utensils and German stainless steel knives. The set is curated to include the four most-used kitchen knives, and it also features a pair of kitchen shears that come apart for easy cleaning. As far as utensils, this set includes tongs, a turner, a spatula, a spoon and a server, and the whole set comes with a complimentary magnetic knife block and a chic tool organizer to keep everything tidy.
We loved the look of this set and the included storage system, which felt practical and well-organized. The knives were super sharp, with ergonomic handles that made them very comfortable to use on large tasks. The utensils were made of glossy, light-colored wood with a smooth, durable feel. However, the tongs did not have a locking mechanism and were quite long, requiring us to hold them further up the handle than usual for precise control.
The set was the most expensive one we tested, and it was hand-wash only, making it best for cooks serious about their aesthetics and following an eco-friendly lifestyle.
Number of Pieces: 14 | Pieces Included: Chef knife, prep knife, bread knife, paring knife, turner, spatula, spoon, tongs, server, shears, knife block, utensil holder, display tray | Material: Birchwood, stainless steel | Dishwasher Safe: No | Heat Resistant: 550°F (for birch utensils)
EatingWell / Taylor Rock
Best Small Set: Chef’n 6-Piece Tool Set with Crock
Crate & Barrel
What we like: We loved the mix of wood, stainless, silicone and ceramic in this set.
What to know: The Chef’n tool set is relatively small compared to most others we tested, and it lacks specialized tools.
The Chef’n 6-Piece Tool Set features a unique combination of nylon, stainless and walnut utensils housed in a ceramic crock. The blend of colors and textures plays well against the white crock, giving it a modern feel. The spoons and nylon turner feature a round handle with striations to improve the handle's grip, and the tools are well-balanced, making them easy to maneuver.
When we tested this utensil set, the heat-resistant nylon didn’t scuff or melt, even when stirring items in a hot oven, and the tools still looked new after weeks of repeated use. The tongs were a standout for us, operating in a smooth yet springy manner that didn’t lock up at inconvenient times.
Though small, we found this set featured the most useful tools for everyday tasks. The nylon and stainless tools were dishwasher-safe, but the walnut spoon and crock were not. Still, these items were easy to clean by hand.
Number of Pieces: 6 | Pieces Included: Tongs, whisk, turner, spoons, storage crock | Material: Walnut, stainless steel, nylon, stoneware | Dishwasher Safe: Yes (but not the crock or wooden spoon) | Heat Resistant: 400°F
EatingWell / Jalyn Pruitt
Best Spatula Set: Le Creuset Craft Series Utensil Set, 5-Piece
Le Creuset
What we like: The classic Le Creuset crock comes in myriad colors to fit any kitchen decor.
What to know: The tools do not come with instructions, so some key features can be missed.
Le Creuset has a long history of making culinary products in an array of colors. In the Craft Series Utensil Set, the brand's signature crock takes center stage to organize the four tools. Striking a balance between modern and classic, the set features wooden handles and silicone heads, with two sizes of spatulas, a spoonula and a basting brush. The wooden handles, while hand-wash only, can be removed for easy cleaning. The heads themselves are dishwasher-safe, but since the set didn't come with an instruction manual, this fact was not immediately clear to us.
We really liked the ergonomic handles of these tools, and after using them for multiple tasks, we found ourselves reaching for the spatula and spoon for every kitchen function. We didn’t find the baster as useful in such a small set and would have liked to have a turner or slotted spoon in its place. Overall, we enjoyed these tools and think they are perfect for someone who loves a pop of color and doesn’t want a huge set to manage.
Number of Pieces: 5 | Pieces Included: Spatulas, spoonula, basting brush, storage crock | Material: Silicone, wood | Dishwasher Safe: Yes (tool heads only) | Heat Resistant: 450°F
EatingWell / Alaina Henry
The Bottom Line: The Best Kitchen Utensil Sets
The GIR 10-Piece Best Sellers Set (on Amazon) was hard to beat, boasting an ample number of tools, a sturdy design and a reasonable price point. The variety in this set also ensures these utensils can handle almost every kitchen task. If you’re setting up your kitchen for the first time or want to give a set to someone just starting out, the Kaluns Kitchen Utensil Set, 35-Piece Set (on Amazon) offered the best overall value and most comprehensive range of tools in our tests. The set that looks the coolest, hands-down, is the Caraway Prep Set, 14-Piece Set (on Amazon). It’s incredibly well-designed, with beautiful birchwood utensils and a small set of German steel knives, all held in a sleek organizer for easy and attractive storage.
Choosing a Kitchen Utensil Set
Keep the following points in mind when shopping for utensil sets:
Are the materials in the tools compatible with your cookware?
Cookware and kitchen utensils go hand in hand, so it’s important to make sure the two are compatible. If you’re a die-hard nonstick cookware user, you’ll want to avoid metal tools, as these can damage the surface of your pots and pans, rendering them useless—and, sometimes, downright unsafe. Conversely, you may find that metal utensils are more effective with stainless or cast-iron cookware because they are less pliable. Choosing the utensils that best fit your cookware can seriously impact the life of your pots and pans, so you’ll want to make compatibility a top priority.
Are the utensils easy to clean?
Cleaning any tool can either be easy or tedious, and knowing how much elbow grease your utensils require will be a quick and helpful decision-maker for most people. If the design dictates a hand wash but you love the look, then that set may be perfect for you. On the other hand, you may find hand washing a deal-breaker and gravitate toward a set with dishwasher-safe tools.
Does the utensil set have the pieces you’d use regularly?
When you know your materials and cleaning isn’t an issue, you can better understand which tools you will use. For most cooks, spatulas, turners and spoons will be the most useful pieces to have on hand. When you get into more specific tasks, you may find yourself reaching for tongs, whisks and shears. Measuring devices are handy and often bought outside of sets; however, if you’re building your kitchen toolkit, this may sway you towards a specific set, especially if you bake a lot. Regardless of your cooking prowess, being strategic about the ones you will or won’t use can narrow the field substantially and guide you to your perfect set.
Our Kitchen Utensil Tests
To best gauge the usefulness, strength and longevity of each utensil set, we tested them over a six-week period, ensuring that they were used regularly on a myriad of tasks. The top factors we considered were:
Versatility: As the utensil sets varied in size, we leveled the field by considering how versatile each set was. With smaller sets, we noted how useful each piece was to determine the overall value of the set. For larger sets, examining our use patterns to identify superfluous items or redundancies allowed us to decide if bigger was better or just more to store.
Comfort: From the design of a handle to the angle of a spoon, the comfort of the utensils was an important factor in our tests. Comfort was a significant indicator of whether certain utensils were suited for bigger jobs like making risotto, where stirring is a long game, or if they were too awkward to use regularly. Having comfortable grips and appropriate design will ensure that your utensils integrate into your daily routine and don’t become another piece of kitchen clutter.
Heat Resistance: Ensuring that utensils meant for high-heat applications were up to the task was a very important metric in our tests. With all the materials available to construct utensils, knowing how they withstand higher heat from tasks like roasting, searing and frying provided key insights into how useful they would be in daily kitchen tasks. If the utensil can’t take the heat, it's really not useful in a working kitchen.
Ease of Cleaning: Though most of our sets were dishwasher-safe, a few required some hand washing. This was an excellent way to determine if the utensils were damaged or discolored during cleaning and whether repeated cleaning altered the appearance of any of the utensils we tested.
We Also Considered
Food52 Five Two Kitchen Utensil Collection, 7-Piece Set ($90 at Food52): This set featured a nice mix of silicone, wood and stainless utensils. Although we felt the dual whisks were overkill, they might be more useful for an avid baker. The look and feel of this set were very nice, and the tools held up well over time, even when used daily. Our biggest complaint was having to hand-wash these instead of using a dishwasher.
All-Clad Professional Stainless Steel Kitchen Gadgets and Caddy, 6-Piece Set ($120 at Amazon): We liked the commercial kitchen quality of these solid stainless utensils. They cleaned easily to their original shine in the dishwasher and came with a handy storage container. The longer handles were great for larger pots and pans but didn’t work as well for everyday smaller tasks.
OXO Everyday Kitchen Tool Set, 15-Piece Set ($127 at Amazon): We were especially fond of the swivel peeler and pizza cutter included in this large set. However, the utensil holder couldn’t accommodate all the tools, and some had to be stored elsewhere. We also had issues with the spoons scorching in hot pans, which wasn’t ideal.
Figmint 10-Piece Soft Grip Nylon Kitchen Utensil Set, Gray ($25 at Target): Though this set was very aesthetically pleasing out of the box, we felt the quality of these utensils was not very good. There was staining on the spoons after a few uses, the whisk felt flimsy and the tongs didn’t open wide enough.
Common Questions
Do wooden cooking utensils hold bacteria?
The shortest answer is yes, they can. However, you can take steps to ensure your wooden utensils don’t carry bacteria. To begin, hand wash your wooden utensils soon after use to ensure no food has dried onto the surface. If you slip up and you’re left with some stuck-on bits, soak the utensil in warm water and give it a good scrub. Next, and most importantly, you want to air dry your wooden utensils for 24 hours to ensure they are fully dry before using them again. This allows the natural antimicrobial properties in the wood to be most effective and choke out any bacteria that may be lurking in the wood. Lastly, throw out any wooden utensils that are splitting or broken, as those nooks are the places bacteria like best.
Do silicone cooking utensils melt?
Silicone is made of silica, the basic make-up of beach sand and quartz. True 100% silicone utensils transfer heat very slowly, giving them the strength to withstand temperatures as high as 425°F (and sometimes higher!) without melting. This makes them great for most everyday cooking tasks. However, some sets containing other additives can have lower temperature thresholds and can melt more easily. This is why, when shopping for kitchen utensils, you should look for high-quality tools with heads made of pure silicone if high-heat cooking is your thing.
Which kitchen utensils are best for health?
Wooden, stainless steel and silicone are all very common materials for kitchen utensils, and all of these can be used in a health-minded way. Wooden and silicone utensils are both ideal for nonstick and copper cookware, as stainless steel tools can scratch and damage the surface of your cookware. Stainless utensils, however, are sturdy and durable for use with stainless or cast-iron cookware and are especially effective when grilling. High-quality tools can withstand high-heat cooking, will not leach chemicals and will remain bacteria-free when cleaned and stored correctly.
Our Trusted Expertise
Tiffany Vickers Davis is a chef, writer and food entrepreneur with more than 25 years experience. Beginning in high-profile restaurant kitchens, she currently owns and operates a fresh prepared meal company that ships nationally. Prior to starting her company, she was the test kitchen director at Cooking Light magazine, testing hundreds of products from stoves to knives during her 14-year tenure with the brand. She often uses stainless tongs and wooden spoons in her kitchen but has a little bit of everything.
This article was edited by Katie Tuttle, a commerce editor and contributor to publications such as Food & Wine and The Spruce Eats.
Read the original article on Eating Well.
