Is it better to use certain cooking utensils with stainless steel pots and pans? Is one spatula or spoon better than another?
With seemingly endless utensil (and cookware) options, it can be tricky to know which makes the best cooking utensils for stainless steel cookware…
Luckily, stainless steel pans are tough, so they’ll handle pretty much any utensil. But, as with most things, each type of utensil has pros and cons.
To help you out, we weighed the benefits and challenges of each and found the six top utensil picks for steel cookware – jump ahead to them here.
Come along with us as we review the most common utensil materials, exploring their positives and negatives so you can find the best cooking tool for you (and your cookware, of course!).
Utensil Materials: Pros & Cons Overview
Some types of cookware are notoriously finicky (looking at you, non-stick pans!).
Stainless steel cookware, on the other hand, is wonderfully versatile.
It’s made from steel enriched with chromium and nickel, making it resistant to rust and acidic foods. It’s also free from pesky, fragile coatings, making it nearly impossible to damage.
Again, while you can use any utensil safely with stainless steel pans, each material has pros and cons. Here’s a quick comparison:
How do you know which utensil material and set is suitable for you?
It depends on a few considerations. Jump straight to those considerations.
Or, continue reading below for a more in-depth look at each material:
Wood
Wooden utensils are a classic choice for several reasons:
- Bacteria-Resistant & Durable: Naturally bacteria-resistant and long-lasting with proper care.
- Scratch-Free: Ideal for delicate cookware like non-stick pans, as they don’t scratch surfaces. Yet, they’re rigid enough to lift stuck-on food.
- Eco-Friendly: Biodegradable, making them a great option for the environmentally conscious.
- Comfortable to Use: Poor heat conduction keeps handles cool, even when left on hot pans.
Cons:
- Porous Nature: Can absorb food flavors and stains easily.
- High Maintenance: Not dishwasher-safe and requires immediate drying after washing to prevent cracks.
Care Tips:
- Dry Immediately: Helps avoid cracks that can make cleaning harder.
- Condition Regularly: Rub with food-safe mineral oil or beeswax every six months for longevity.
Bamboo
Bamboo utensils offer a sustainable and practical choice for your kitchen. Here are a few of its benefits:
- Highly Sustainable: Bamboo is biodegradable and grows back quickly after harvesting, making it highly eco-friendly.
- Durable & Lightweight: Easy and comfortable to use with excellent heat resistance.
- Non-Scratch: Its sleek texture won’t scratch non-stick cookware.
- Water & Stain Resistance: Higher resistance to water, stains, and odors than wood, discouraging bacterial growth.
- Easy to Clean: The properties of bamboo make it simpler to maintain hygiene.
Cons:
- Toxic Glues: Some bamboo tools use toxic melamine-formaldehyde resin. Choose utensils carved from a single piece of bamboo instead, or those using natural binders like Bibol.
Care Tips:
- Not Dishwasher-Safe: Handwash only to prevent swelling and warping.
Silicone
You need tools to handle high temperatures when cooking with stainless steel cookware. Silicone meets that challenge and has some additional helpful features:
- Heat Resistant: Withstand temperatures up to 650°F, making them perfect for high-heat cooking.
- Non-Toxic: Chemically stable and won’t leach harmful chemicals into food like plastic.
- Flexible & Non-Scratch: Easy to scrape food from pan corners without damaging non-stick surfaces.
Cons:
- Environmental Impact: Although more eco-friendly than plastic, silicone comes from silica, a nonrenewable resource. Its production involves burning fossil fuels, and it’s also challenging to recycle.
- Durability: Silicone can tear more easily than rigid materials, so keep it away from sharp objects.
Nylon / Plastic
Plastic and nylon utensils are affordable and flexible, making them great for cooking delicate foods without scratching pans. Plus, they’re dishwasher-safe.
That said, we recommend avoiding plastic if you can, as it comes with a host of problems:
- Melting Risk: Plastic utensils melt easily, which can lead to deformation.
- Stickiness: Food tends to cling to plastic, complicating cleanup.
- Chemical Concerns: They may leach harmful chemicals like BPA or phthalates into food. Even BPA-free plastics are controversial regarding safety. It’s best to avoid plastic utensils if possible.
Metal
Metal utensils, particularly those made from stainless steel, are popular for steel cookware due to their durability and heat resistance. But there are a few things in mind:
Pros:
- Durability: Stainless steel utensils are incredibly durable and heat-tolerant, making them perfect for rigorous cooking tasks.
- Eco-Friendly: Stainless steel is 100% recyclable.
Cons:
- Heat Conductivity: Metal utensils can get hot to the touch during cooking.
- Scratching: They may cause micro scratches on stainless steel pans. While these don’t affect cooking performance, they can dull the cookware’s appearance.
Considerations:
- Handle Options: Look for utensils with silicone handles to prevent discomfort from heat.
- Silicone Tips: Choose silicone-tipped metal utensils to prevent scratching your pans.
- Non-Stick Cookware: Avoid using metal utensils on non-stick surfaces, as they can damage the coating and leave flakes in your meal.
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Material for Your Needs
After weighing the pros and cons of each material, consider the following before we explore the best utensils for steel cookware today:
How Easy Are They to Clean?
- Stainless steel and silicone utensils are best for dishwasher use.
- Wood and bamboo demand hand washing and drying to stay in good shape.
How Much Do You Value Health and Safety?
- Some plastic utensils can leach unhealthy chemicals under high heat.
- Be wary of bamboo and wooden utensils: Ensure they’re melamine-free.
- Stainless steel, silicone, and solid wood/ bamboo (free from chemical glues) are the safest.
How Durable Are They?
- Will they withstand high temperatures? Stainless steel utensils withstand heat without melting or deforming, while nylon utensils are the most prone to melting.
- Are they prone to wear and tear or breaking? Again, steel is the most rugged material, followed by bamboo, wood, silicone, and nylon.
How Comfortable Are They to Use?
- Wood, bamboo, and silicone utensils stay comfortable to hold throughout use. Stainless steel handles can get uncomfortable unless wrapped in silicone.
- Stainless steel and silicone are generally the heaviest options.
- Silicone provides the best grip.
Are they compatible with other cookware?
- Stainless steel utensils will destroy non-stick pans, while the rest are non-scratch.
Do They Protect Your Stainless Steel Cookware?
- All except stainless steel utensils will protect your steel pans. Steel utensils can cause minor scratches, which can impact the look of your pans.
- Silicone utensils are gentle on your pans and ideal for high-end cookware.
What Is Your Budget?
- Wood and bamboo utensils are the cheapest options, while stainless steel sets often cost the most.
Top 6 Cooking Utensils for Stainless Steel Cookware: Reviewed
Here are our top utensil picks for stainless steel cookware. From wood spatulas to metal slotted spoons, you’ll find what you need here.
1. Best Wood: OXO Good Grips Wooden Cooking Utensil Set
- Material: Beechwood
- Dishwasher-safe: No
- Price: $16.94 (when published)
- Rating: 4.5-stars | 4,100+ Amazon reviews (when published)
- Number of pieces: 3
- Includes: Large spoon, turner and slotted spoon
- Length: 12.2” – 12.5”
This time-tested 3-pack features a spatula, a slotted spoon, and a regular spoon.
Shaped from solid beechwood with a natural oil finish, these are the best bang for your buck regarding sturdy yet elegant wooden utensils.
These are safe for both steel and non-stick cookware and feature clever designs to make the most of each tool. For example, the spoons feature straight sides to help you scrape the walls and corners of your cookware.
And to really top things off: cookware brand OXO donates a portion of each sale to environmental nonprofits.
Pros:
- Affordable, durable, and non-scratch – suitable for any cookware.
- Versatile straight sides to aid in scraping.
Cons:
- Limited pieces in the set.
- Not dishwasher-safe.
2. Best Bamboo: Riveira Bamboo Cooking Spoon Set
- Material: Solid organic bamboo
- Dishwasher-safe: No
- Price: $14.49 (when published)
- Rating: 4.7-stars | 12,000+ Amazon reviews (when published)
- Number of pieces: 6
- Includes: Slotted spoon, solid spoon, turner spatula, forked spoon, single hole mixing spoon, and rounded square spoon
- Length: 12″
Riveira’s 6-piece bamboo utensil set combines affordability and quality. Made from a single chunk of organic bamboo, it’s chemical-free and lightweight.
Each utensil features a slightly different yet deliberate design, offering more convenience. You’ll always have the best tool for your cooking needs, whether stirring, scraping, flipping, or draining.
Bamboo is more gentle on non-stick coatings than steel utensils, offering versatility with various pans.
Note that while these are easy to clean, they aren’t dishwasher-safe.
Pros:
- Rugged, lightweight, and non-scratch – suitable for any cookware.
- Generous set for such a low price (only $15!).
- Smooth finish for easy hand washing.
- Lifetime warranty.
Cons:
- Not dishwasher-safe.
- Can discolor from very colorful foods or seasoning.
3. Best Silicone: GreenPan Platinum Silicone Utensil Set
- Material: Platinum silicone (safest grade) with steel core
- Dishwasher-safe: Yes
- Price: $142.99 (when published)
- Rating: 5 stars
- Number of pieces: 7
- Includes: Spatula, solid turner, solid spoon, slotted spoon, fish turner, whisk, and ladle.
- Length: 10.7″ – 13″
GreenPan’s Platinum Silicone Utensil Set offers premium quality for serious cooks.
Each utensil features a durable steel core to prevent bending, wrapped in non-scratch silicone that’s safe for non-stick pans.
The flexible heads make flipping omelets and reaching tight corners easy, while the steel core ensures stability for scraping stuck-on food. This plastic-free design uses third-party-certified silicone, heat-resistant up to 392˚F.
GreenPan’s extra smooth finish prevents staining, too – a common issue in lower-quality silicone with rougher textures.
While silicone recycling can be tricky, the steel core helps these last longer than nylon alternatives.
Pros:
- Durable, easy-cleaning, non-scratch material that’s compatible with all cookware types.
- Dishwasher-safe.
- Doesn’t melt or leach chemicals like plastic.
- Available in multiple colors to match any kitchen.
- Steel core for enhanced durability, rigidity, and lifespan.
Cons:
- Expensive.
- Heavier than standard silicone utensils (without steel cores).
4. Best Nylon: Anolon SureGrip Nylon Cooking Tools Set
- Material: Nylon, with stainless steel neck and silicone grip
- Dishwasher-safe: Yes
- Price: $39.99 (when published)
- Rating: 4.6-stars | 4,400+ Amazon reviews (when published)
- Number of pieces: 5
- Includes: Mini solid turner, slotted turner, solid turner, solid spoon, and ladle
- Length: 12″ – 13.25″
Anolon’s SureGrip utensil set is among the most versatile out there. Thanks to nylon’s gentle texture, it won’t leave unsightly scratches on stainless steel pans. Nor will it damage non-stick coatings.
Plus, the silicone handles provide a secure grip on the tool, helping you avoid dangerous slips.
This 5-piece set includes several spatulas, spoons, and a ladle, all with different styles. Each tool’s innovative shape slides under food and into tight pan edges, helping you make the most of your kitchen utensils.
All Anolon kitchen utensils are heat-safe up to 450℉ and dishwasher-safe.
Pros:
- Versatile, non-scratch utensils with added flexibility to aid in tight corners.
- Stainless steel base for added durability with a silicone sleeve for comfort and grip.
Cons:
- Nylon utensils are prone to melting and deformation. Some foods stick and make cleanup more difficult.
- Pricey for a nylon set – see OXO’s 5pc set for a lower-cost alternative (also includes tongs).
5. Best Stainless Steel: All-Clad Professional Stainless Steel Kitchen Tool Set
- Material: Stainless steel (18/10)
- Dishwasher-safe: Yes
- Price: $119.95 (when published)
- Rating: 4.7-stars | 1,200+ Amazon reviews (when published)
- Number of pieces: 6
- Includes: 4 oz ladle, solid spoon, slotted spoon, turner, large fork, and stainless steel storage caddy
- Length: 11.5″ – 13″
This set of five stainless steel cooking utensils features a ladle, spoon, slotted spoon, spatula, and carving fork. Each features a long handle, perfect for reaching into pots and pans of any size.
All-Clad crafts these tools from robust 18/10 stainless steel, a rust-proof, highly damage-resistant material. As a result, this set consistently ranks at nearly five stars for durability, comfort, and ease of cleaning.
Best of all, All-Clad stands by its products’ durability… These tools are dishwasher-safe and covered by a lifetime warranty!
Pros:
- Versatile, unbreakable utensils that handle any task, including high-heat cooking, without melting or bending.
- Effortless to clean.
- Lifetime warranty.
Cons:
- Will damage non-stick cookware.
- Pricey, though All-Clad is undoubtedly worth it. Here’s an excellent lower-cost alternative if you’re budgeting.
6. Best Hybrid Materials: IQCWOOD Stainless Steel and Wooden Utensils Set
- Material: Stainless steel and rosewood grips
- Dishwasher-safe: Yes
- Price: $29.69 (when published)
- Rating: 4.2-stars | 80+ Amazon reviews (when published)
- Number of pieces: 5
- Includes: Slotted spoon, Wok spatula, slotted spatula, ladle, and spaghetti server
- Length: 13.8″ – 15″
One issue with metal utensils is that they can get hot. Enter our top “hybrid” cooking utensil set, which features stainless steel utensils with wooden handles.
By combining materials, we harness the benefits of both in one tool.
You gain stainless steel’s heat resistance, durability, and anti-corrosive properties. Yet, the wooden handle slows heat transfer and keeps your skin comfortable!
Durable and non-toxic, you can put this set through its paces without damaging your tools, cookware, or health.
Each 5-piece set includes a slotted spoon, multiple spatulas, a ladle, and a spaghetti server.
Pros:
- Versatile, unbreakable steel ideal for high-heat cooking and daily use as it won’t melt or bend.
- Wooden handles stay cool to the touch.
Cons:
- Will damage non-stick cookware.
- Should not use the dishwasher in order to protect the handles from cracking.
Final Thoughts
This all feels like a lot, I know. But when it comes to choosing the best cooking utensils for stainless steel cookware, it mostly boils down to personal preference.
If I had to pick my personal favorite, I’d choose the hybrid set above. I love the comfortable and versatile combination of wood and steel.
Decide what you value, whether that’s the ease of cleaning or affordability, and go from there!
If you get stuck, don’t forget to use our handy comparison chart to help you out.
Hi there! I'm Adam, author and founder of TGL. Since 2016, I've produced and sold non-toxic kitchenware throughout the US. Today, I'm using my passion and experience in sustainable product manufacturing to help families avoid unsafe reusable foodware. When I'm not writing, you'll find me hiking or camping throughout Appalachia!
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