I’d had my eye on a Silicone Spoon Spatula for a while, but hadn’t bought it. Then, a couple of months ago, I was buying something else at Amazon and decided to add it in so I’d be over the threshold for free shipping. [Note: My original silicone spoon spatula was made by Orka. It is no longer available but the link goes to a similar product with good reviews.]
Why, oh why, didn’t I buy it a lot sooner?
This has turned into one of my absolute favorite kitchen utensils. It won’t take the place of a good mixing spoon for doughs, but it’s perfect for so many other things that a mixing spoon doesn’t do well.
So why do I like it so much? It’s hard to know where to begin:
- Heat resistant. It won’t melt if you’re stir-frying, or if you leave it in a hot pan (it’s heat resistant to 570° F.). And the handle won’t get hot, either! No more burnt fingers.
- Won’t scratch. You can use it in nonstick pans without fear. But it’s just as useful with regular pans.
- One-piece construction. There’s a metal core, completely covered with a heavy layer of silicone. No seams to try to keep clean and you won’t find the handle slipping out of the head. Compare this to the rubber and plastic scraper I have in the photo — without a dish washer, it’s hard to keep clean (even using a nail brush) and the handle periodically pulls out of the scraper head when I go to clean out a jar of peanut butter or mayonnaise.
- Non-porous. The silicone is very bacteria-resistant and it dries in just an instant — nice when you’re in a humid climate.
But the really great thing about it is the shape:
- Flat end. That flat end is just so perfect when using it in a pan. Compared to a spoon, there is so much more area in contact with the pan — it’s much easier to make sauces and gravies without lumps and it’s great for sauteing and stir-frying.
- Straight sides. And the straight sides are perfect in a saucepan — and with mine, that little curve from the end to the side matches the curve of my skillet and my saucepan, making it easy to stir and scrape food out.
- Concave “spoon.” The “spoon” side is wonderful when you’re scraping something out — like a jar of mayonnaise or peanut butter. The construction is beefy enough to stand up to anything, and the “spoon” really scoops things up. On one hand, you might get similar results with a rubber scraper, but it seems to me that I’m able to get more out as the last little bit of whatever isn’t as likely to fall off the “spoon” as it is the flat surface of a rubber scraper as I’m pulling it out of the jar.
The longer I have my Silicone Spoon Spatula (link is to Amazon), the more I find myself reaching for it. I’m about to get rid of my old rubber scrapers, as well as the old “cooking spoons” I’ve been using. Two advantages: trading two utensils for one — plus the one does a better job than either of the others!
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Mili Cook on Facebook says
I agree!
Andrea Dollins on Facebook says
Oh yeah!..have one, love it!! 🙂
Waterwoman says
Carolyn, thanks for the spoon article. I have one in my utensil jar and never have used it. I will try it out now that you mention it!
Laura Zechin on Facebook says
Looks good…but, alas, I am a wooden spoon purist.
Tommy says
I bought one of these after reading Carolyn’s article. It’s great. The longer I have it the more I like it. Not only does it take the place of other spoons and “paddles”, it fits into pans so well I can actually stir fry in a pot, eliminating the need for a wok. Thanks for the info.
Elly Kjellqvist Fazili says
I love mine too 🙂
Becky says
Mine came on a wooden handle, which soon broke. I stick a table knife in it now–but would love a one-piece one!
Sailing Wind Spirit says
Bought these based on your recommendation. I love them! My favorite galley utensils!