Spatulas and utensils

Spatulas are an essential utensil for every kitchen

Whether you're a professional chef or a home cook who likes to whip up a storm in the kitchen, a spatula is one of the most useful kitchen tools you can own. From flipping pancakes and spreading batter to lifting food from one place to another and scraping leftovers - a spatula is one versatile kitchen gadget you'll find yourself reaching for again and again.

Different types of spatulas available

While spatulas are commonly used for turning food in a frying pan, there are actually 3 different types of spatulas that are made to perform different tasks in cooking:

1. Flippers (turners) - A flipper or turner is the original type of spatula with a piece of metal or heat-resistant plastic attached to a long handle. You can have slotted spatulas that drain liquid and spatulas with no holes.

2. Spreaders - Spreaders have no holes or slots and are typically used in baking to spread batter for pancakes, crepes and icing for cupcakes and cakes, as well as mixing and folding batters.

3. Scrapers - A scraper spatula is one that is used to manipulate and slice raw dough as well as scrape the surface clean from dough residue.

Finding the best material for your cooking needs

Spatulas also come in different materials which are better suited to some tasks than others. The most common materials include:

• Silicone - Silicone spatulas are flexible, durable and heat-resistant. They are the best spatula to use with non-stick cookware as they won't scratch surfaces.

• Metal - Metal spatulas are great for turning and flipping meat and fish on a grill or pan. The sharp edges may scratch non-stick pans, however. Metal spreaders are used to spread batter and icing on cakes.

• Stainless Steel - Like metal spatulas, stainless steel spatulas are ideal for flipping and transferring food onto metal cookware. They're durable and very easy to clean.

• Wood - A wooden spatula is softer on pots and pans and won't leave scratches. They're natural and toxin-free, don't conduct heat and are aesthetically beautiful.

• Plastic - Plastic spatulas are affordable and lightweight. Nylon spatulas are the most common but have a lower heat resistance compared to silicone.

Best spatulas for baking and cooking at home

Many home cooks will own at least one of each type of spatula to be able to perform a wide range of cooking tasks. A turner is useful when it comes to flipping fried eggs and turning over meat patties on the BBQ. A spreader is a great tool for spreading sauces, condiments and icing and ensuring nice, smooth sides on cakes. A scraper is excellent for bakers who need to fold, cut, stir and scrape dough and wet ingredients in a mixing bowl.

Different designs

You can find a fantastic range of spatula designs at Kitchen Warehouse to suit every cooking need and personal style. We have slotted spatulas made out of stainless steel for flipping fish and meat, such as the Oxo Good Grips Fish Turner. There's slotted silicone and nylon spatulas, such as the Tovolo Flex-Core spatula, solid stainless steel lasagna turners, flexible turners and even round turners for sliding underneath eggs.

Check out our selection of spoonulas - a versatile spoon spatula used for stirring, scraping and basting food with marinades. We also have mini spatulas for cooking smaller dishes.

How to clean, maintain and care for your new spatula

Most silicone and metal spatulas are dishwasher-safe, but it's best to check your individual product. Plastic spatulas are not heat-resistant and should be washed by hand, along with wooden spatulas. Spatulas should sit on spoon rests during cooking time to catch drips and prevent accidental messes.

The difference between a spatula and a turner

A spatula is a broad term that is commonly used to describe a kitchen tool that lifts, turns, scrapes and folds food during cooking and baking. A turner is a type of spatula made for lifting and flipping over food. Turners can be slotted or solid. A slotted turner allows hot oil and juices to drain from the food before you lift it up and place it on the plate.

Heat-resistant spatulas available

A heat-resistant spatula is essential if you are working with hot food and hot cookware to prevent melting and warping. Silicone spatulas have excellent heat-resistance for cooking on stoves, grills and griddles, and can also be put in the dishwasher. We have plenty of silicone spatulas available at Kitchen Warehouse, including the Oxo Good Grips Flexible Silicone Omelette Turner which can resist heat up to 315°C and won't scratch non-stick cookware.

Other kitchen utensils to consider when purchasing a spatula

A spatula is a must-have kitchen item, but there are plenty of other kitchen gadgets and accessories you can add to make cooking easier and more convenient. Consider:

• Whisks

• Tongs

• Spoons

• Ladle

• Cutlery

• Mandoline Slicer

• Aprons

• Tea towels

• Can openers

• Peelers

Brands we know and trust

Kitchen Warehouse has spatulas by all of the biggest and most reliable brands in Australia at the best prices, including Joseph Joseph, KitchenAid, Le Creuset, Oxo, Tovolo, Avanti, D.Line, Maverick and Zyliss.

Buying your spatulas online with Kitchen Warehouse

Find a spatula online to suit every kitchen need or visit us in-store at your nearest Kitchen Warehouse. We also have a wonderful range of products to transform your kitchen, from bakeware essentials like mixing bowls to woks, blenders, crockery, tableware, glassware and so much more.

Browse our new arrivals and click on each one to read more information in the product details. Add them to your wishlist, checkout with flexible payments or send a loved one a gift card fit for any special occasion!

FAQs:

What is a spatula used for in cooking?

A spatula is a kitchenware staple used by both home cooks and professional chefs. They are available in 3 types - turners, spreaders and scrapers. A turner is used to flip and lift food, a spreader is used to evenly spread condiments, batter and icing onto food and a scraper is used to cut dough and fold wet ingredients in baking.

What are the benefits of using a spatula?

Spatulas are a very useful kitchen gadget to use with your bakeware and cookware. They make it easy to accomplish many basic tasks, including stirring ingredients, turning over fish and meat for even cooking, lifting food out of the pan and onto a plate, flipping pancakes, folding batter, spreading icing, cutting dough and much more.