Whether you're making soup, pasta or even just frying an egg, there's nothing worse than reaching for a kitchen tool only to find that you're missing the one you need. Investing in a utensil set means you're always covered! They usually include the basics such as a spoon and spatula, but more premium sets can include handy tools such as whisks or tongs.
As well as what's actually in the set, however, you'll also need to think about things like whether they need to be suitable for non-stick cookware or whether they're dishwasher-safe. This guide will give you all the information you need to make a truly informed choice. We've also ranked the best rated silicone, stainless steel and wooden sets available from top retailers like Argos, Amazon and eBay.
Quick List - Top Kitchen Utensil Sets
Muchtolove
Light Up Your Kitchen With This Colourful Collection
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A great kitchen utensil set is a must-have for any budding chef. But, like many things, the world of cooking can seem complicated and technical. Not to worry, in this buying guide, we're going to break down the features of a set and help you decide which is the right one for you.
The first thing you'll notice when browsing for kitchen utensils is the huge variety of materials available. This is an important choice because you must find one that works with your pots and pans.
Many modern chefs prefer to use silicone over traditional wood or metal for a variety of reasons. One of the key debates in the kitchen world is hygiene, and studies suggest that silicone fares best in this area.
While not totally resistant to stains like metal cookware, plastic does not absorb colour or odour in the same way that wood does, so you have to worry much less about cross-contamination. It is almost always dishwasher-safe too, so can be cleaned at higher temperatures. Soft plastics like nylon and silicone are also fine to use on non-stick cookware.
Another great feature of plastic tools is their heat resistance. If you've ever whisked something with a metal whisk, you'll know that they can heat up quickly. Silicone, for example, can resist temperatures up to 600 degrees, which is very impressive.
Home chefs all over are starting to choose cast iron over non-stick pans, owing to their durability and the fact that you can stick them straight into the oven from the hob. A less talked about benefit of cast iron and carbon steel pans (and woks), however, are that they don't scratch. This is a huge bonus if you're a fan of hardy metal utensils.
We've all accidentally scraped a non-stick pan with a metal spoon or fork before and it's a mistake no one wants to repeat. So, while metal utensils are durable, stain-resistant and modern looking, if you use pans with non-stick coating, stay away. Metal is a great choice if you're using the right type of cookware, but a nightmare if you're not!
Wood has been the tool of choice for cooks for generations, and it's still going strong today. Some chefs view wood as the perfect in-between choice between metal and silicone. It has the firmness of metal, so it won't bend when you press it against a surface and, like silicone, it won't scratch your precious non-stick pans.
However, alongside the fact they are not usually dishwasher-safe, there is a discussion about the hygiene of wooden tools. Some studies have suggested that wood can absorb bacteria leading to potential cross-contamination. If this is a concern but you like the way it looks, you could always go for silicone or metal tools with wooden handles.
Don't forget that the reason you're looking at kitchen utensils is that you love to cook! Think about the kind of cooking you regularly do and base your choice on the tools you will use day-to-day. No one wants a load of kitchen tools hanging around they haven't used in months, after all.
There are a few fundamental tools that every kitchen utensil set should have, so make sure that you keep these in mind when browsing the options. The most simple tool that you'll use again and again is, of course, a spoon. Whether you're stirring a pasta sauce, mixing a soup or serving a guest, a spoon is a must-have.
The second key essential is tongs. These are versatile tools that can be used for cooking a sausage in a pan, making a burger on the barbecue or flipping or grabbing almost anything. Lastly, you'll want to find a kit that has a flat spatula, or turner. If you enjoy fried eggs in the morning, then this one is an absolute necessity!
If you're big into cooking and love to experiment, you should look out for some extra accessories. These tools will expand your abilities in the kitchen and open up new recipes. One great tool that will level you up in the kitchen is a good whisk. Whisking egg whites can make for impressively fluffy pancakes that will wow your guests.
If you ever cook with pastry (think beef Wellingtons, sweet pies or pasties) then you need a pastry brush in your life. These nifty tools allow you to baste the pastry with milk or egg in order to get that golden shine.
A pasta or spaghetti server is a great one too, which can help you avoid having too much liquid in your dish. Other examples that you may find handy are ladles, potato mashers and varying shapes or types of spatulas and spoons, such as angled turners and slotted spoons.
Everyone loves a nice, orderly kitchen. Sometimes the only way to achieve this clean, tidy look is to make sure everything has a place to live, but for many, a drawer is not the place for kitchen utensils.
Fortunately, many sets come with a stylish container or 'crock' as some manufacturers call them. Your utensils will be within reach on the worktop at all times and you won't have to rummage through drawers trying to find what you need.
However, if you prefer to hang your kitchen utensils, make sure to look for those with a hole or hook at the end. Another stylish storage suggestion is to use a magnetised board, though of course, you'll need to have metal utensils for this to work!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Joseph Joseph Elevate Carousel Utensil Set | ![]() | Clever, Quality Tools That Keep Counters Clean | |
2 | KRONENKRAFT 26-Piece Kitchen Set | ![]() | You Can Have It All With This Set | |
3 | Muchtolove 11-Piece Silicone Cooking Utensil Set | ![]() | Light Up Your Kitchen With This Colourful Collection | |
4 | UniHom Wooden Utensil Cooking Set | ![]() | Stylish Wooden Tools for a Homely Feel | |
5 | AMRTA Stainless Steel Kitchen Utensil Set With Hanger | ![]() | Keep Your Kitchen Tidy With a Hanging Rack | |
6 | Habitat 5-Piece Baking Set | ![]() | Great Choice for Bakers Just Starting Out | |
7 | Argos 5-Piece Stainless Steel Kitchen Utensil Set | ![]() | The No-Frills Stainless Steel Set | |
8 | AIKKIL 7-Piece Kitchen Utensil Set | ![]() | A Choice of Chic Colours to Fit Your Kitchen | |
9 | Ducurae 6-Piece Kitchen Utensil Set | ![]() | Soft Silicone That Won't Scratch Your Pan | |
10 | Argos Home 7-Piece Utensil Set With Stand | ![]() | A Stand Makes This Perfect for a Small Kitchen |
Joseph Joseph has become the king of the kitchen in the UK, and for good reason. They refuse to compromise on quality and never fail to impress when it comes to innovation. This smart-looking toolset comes on a spinning stand, so you can simply rotate it to get to the utensil you need!
Even more impressive is a much simpler detail – each tool comes with its own tiny stand which will stop the end from touching the counter. No more laying your spoon down and making a mess! This innovative pick is highly rated for a reason and blew us away, which is why we've chosen it as our winner.
Whether you adore experimenting with new techniques or you're starting from scratch, you need this wonder of a set. With a total of 35 pieces, you'll never find yourself reading a recipe and then cursing because you don't have the right tool. It truly has it all, only without going overboard and including things you won't use!
This set is made of high-quality plastic and stainless steel, so you really get the best of both worlds. But where this set really shines is in its diversity, with additions such as measuring cups, a pizza slice and even a tin opener. It's also well-priced considering the quality and pieces included.
If you have a vibrant, eclectic kitchen, this set will fit right in. Every piece is a different colour, which will look fabulous sitting in the brightly coloured blue crock. Your kids might even ask to help out in the kitchen just to have a go with these fun looking tools!
But it's not all looks over utility. These utensils are made of heat-resistant silicone and are dishwasher-safe, so you can really put them through their paces. They also come with a whopping 11 pieces, managing to nail all the basics while offering some handy extras. This is a great choice for someone looking to level up their kitchen.
If you prefer a traditional look in your kitchen, then a wood option is definitely for you. This lovely teak set from UniHom goes for quality over quantity with its well-made utensils. The thick handles are smooth and easy to grip and have a natural-feeling curve.
Although this might not be a full set for a professional kitchen, this is a fantastic and affordable choice for those looking for both style and substance. There might be a few meals you won't be able to manage with this set, but cooking will still feel fantastic and these will last you for years.
One somewhat underrated storage solution is the rack. This option saves counter space and even comes with the pole itself, which is brilliant if your kitchen is on the smaller side or you just have a lot of utensils! It can also give a real professional chef vibe, especially if the tools are made of steel as these are.
AMRTA makes some great choices here in terms of pieces, including, among others, two types of turners, a slotted spoon ideal for deep frying and a pasta strainer, so you should be set for most tasks. It comes with fun extras too like some mini oven gloves and even the hooks to hang your utensils.
This is a fantastic pick from Habitat for any budding bakers looking to start the foundation of their kitchen. A spatula and whisk are essential baking tools that will enable you to whisk eggs, spread icing and whip up a lump-free batter. The silicone is easy to clean when dealing with doughs and batters, too.
Of course, this one is really just focused on providing for bakers, so if you were hoping to fry an egg with this set, think again! That being said, this kit could make a great addition to an existing set if you're experimenting with cakes and pastries as well as savoury dishes.
Like to keep things minimal? This is the set for you. High-shine stainless steel looks fantastic against a black countertop and makes a fine addition to any kitchen. This is doubly true if you're a fan of cast iron cooking, as you won't have to worry about scratches!
Unfortunately, the low price point and simplicity do come at a cost. This product misses out by not including tongs or any extras like a whisk. However, it is a nice starter set for your collection on top of which you can build, especially if you have a hanging rail.
AIKKIL offers something with this product that few other manufacturers do, which is colour choice. When you purchase this set, you can select from khaki, grey, black and a vibrant teal blue. They all look very chic combined with the acacia wood handles and are ideal if you're after a statement item for your kitchen.
One area that this AIKKIL set doesn't shine in is the extras. Although seven is a decent number for a set, the item choices don't take many risks. It would have been nice to see a whisk or tongs included! They're also recommended to be washed by hand rather than in the dishwasher.
Ducurae impresses with its minimal stainless steel and silicone set that nails the basics while looking smart. This is a no-brainer for anyone who uses non-stick! It's the softest plastic which means you'll be able to cook without worrying about scratching up your beautiful pans.
However, if you're a neat freak you might want to think twice about this one because unfortunately, it doesn't come with a container. But if you already have a container or a stand lying around, or a place to hang utensils, then that won't be a problem!
Argos is a brand you can always rely on to produce affordable kitchen supplies, and this option is no exception. This is a solid plastic utensil set that comes with a simple yet stylish stand that will look at home in any kitchen with a darker colour scheme. This type of stand is also a brilliant space saver.
Keep in mind that while this set has a masher, ladle and pasta spoon, it is missing a really fundamental tool, which is tongs. So if you're someone who enjoys a BBQ, this may be one to look past (unless, of course, you already have a pair!).
Whether you're upgrading your current kitchen utensils or starting from scratch in your first home, we're guessing you're also on the lookout for a few other essential bits and pieces. Scroll down for more of our comprehensive buying guides designed to help you find what you need.
No. 1: Joseph Joseph|Elevate Carousel Utensil Set
No. 2: KRONENKRAFT|26-Piece Kitchen Set
No. 3: Muchtolove|11-Piece Silicone Cooking Utensil Set
No. 4: UniHom |Wooden Utensil Cooking Set
No. 5: AMRTA|Stainless Steel Kitchen Utensil Set With Hanger
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