Spatulas

Who could operate a kitchen without a spatula  or several? One of the most diverse tools in the kitchen, there are lots of kinds of spatulas. They are extremely versatile, as they flip, cut, stir and serve.

Types of Spatulas

Spatulas
Icing Spatula  Long, narrow spatula used for spreading icing or frosting on desserts. Usually have a metal blade in a plastic handle.	Rectangular Spatula  Sometimes called a "flipper" or a "turner". Multi-purpose, but mainly used in grilling and frying.	Silicone Spatula  Silicone is sturdy but flexible. Great for scraping down the sides of a bowl when mixing cake batter.	Spoonula  The curvier cousin of the silicone spatula, spoonulas are almost always made of silicone as well. Great for

More Spatulas!
Slotted Spatula  Lift items out of sauces and drain them. Less resistance when cooking than a solid spatula.	Stir-fry (aka Wok or Chinese) Spatula  Designed for use with a wok - look for the asymmetrical shape.	Fish Turner  Long, slotted spatula to lift and turn fish filets and steaks without breaking them.	Spatula with Tongs  Especially handy for barbecuing. Tongs will help you lift and steady heavy pieces of food like steaks.

Spatula Materials

What a spatula is made of can affect its performance at a particular task.

Spatula Materials
Nylon Spatulas	Silicone Spatulas	Wooden Spatulas	Stainless Steel Spatula
Large nylon spatulas are useful when cooking or baking, and are especially ideal for flipping. Dishwasher safe and heat resistant, but can be bendy. Won't scratch the surface of a nonstick cooking pan.	Silicone spatulas are ideal for scraping down the sides of mixing bowls or applying frosting. Very durable and flexible - won't easily chip, crack, or melt. You can often buy them in sets of three or four, varying slightly by size.	Wooden spatulas are inflexible and therefore good for flipping and moving food around. They are ideal for stir frys, ground beef, and other stovetop cooking. Wooden spatulas will not scratch non-stick surfaces. Always wash thoroughly - wood can retain bacteria.	Stainless steel is durable, easy to clean, and a perfect complement to the modern kitchen. Use caution when using a stainless steel spatula with a non-stick pan, as it can scratch the non-stick finish. Thinner steel can be bendy, but a thicker spatula will be fairly stiff.

Spatula Handle Design

Straight vs. Offset Spatulas
Straight Spatulas	Offset Spatulas

• Whether you need a straight or offset spatula depends both on the task at hand and on your personal preference.
• Flipping, turning, and serving are usually easier with an offset.
• Spreading, stirring, and stirfrying are generally done with a straight spatula (except for wooden spatulas, which may be slightly curved).