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You probably haven’t given your kitchen utensil set much thought, especially if you’re in college, live alone, or use your stove for storage rather than cooking. Although seemingly simple, kitchen utensil sets are available in a variety of colors, sizes, and offer several functions—and choosing the right one for your kitchen and culinary skills requires a bit of research. Instead of grabbing the first cheap kitchen utensil set you see, check out some of the best kitchen utensil sets reviewed below.
- BEST OVERALL: Home Hero Kitchen Utensil Set
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Umite Chef Kitchen Cooking Utensils Set
- BEST STARTER SET: OXO Good Grips 15-Piece Everyday Kitchen Utensil Set
- ELEGANT PICK: Le Creuset Silicone Utensil Set with Stoneware Crock
- BEST COMPLETE SET: Home Hero Kitchen Utensil Set, 44 Pcs.
- BEST WITH WOODEN HANDLES: Mibote 17 Pcs Silicone Cooking Kitchen Utensils Set
- BEST WOODEN: NAYAHOSE Wooden Cooking Utensil Set
- BEST FOR NON-STICK PANS: Fungun Silicone Cooking Utensil Set
What to Consider When Shopping for the Best Kitchen Utensil Set
The best kitchen utensil set might not be the one that looks the best on the shelf. Think beyond the packaging and look at the material. Ask yourself: Which pieces are essential? How well will the set fit in with your kitchen décor? How well will it pair with your current cookware set? Take these shopping considerations into account when shopping for a kitchen utensil set.
Material
The material you choose for your utensil set will depend on how you intend to use it and what you intend to use it on. (You don’t want to scratch your pans.) If you have a cabinet full of non-stick pans, for example, you’ll want to look for utensils with silicone, vinyl, wood, or bamboo heads. Consider clean-up as well, as some plastic utensils may melt in the dishwasher.
Pieces in Set
The best kitchen utensil sets range from the simple three-piece set to enormous sets with 50 pieces or more. If you already own several utensils and are just looking to spruce up your space or want to purchase a few specific pieces, a smaller set might be your best bet. But, if you’re just starting out or want to replace a hodge-podge of utensils picked up here and there, a large matching set could be the way to go.
Intended Use
Take a long look at how you intend to use the utensil set. If matching your current cookware is a dealbreaker, you may want to choose a specific color and purchase a caddy, too. But if you’re someone who cooks a lot, you may want to prioritize comfort and how the pieces feel in your hand. You’ll also want to look for a set that includes a variety of items such as a rolling pin or a strong set of tongs.
Cookware Compatibility
Compatibility is an important point to ponder, especially if you have specialty cookware. For example, ceramic cookware can handle nearly any utensil you throw at it, whereas a non-stick pan requires more care (plastic, silicone, or soft-tipped utensils work well on non-stick coating). You could even go the safer route and choose wooden utensils. When given the proper care, wood utensils can last just as long, if not longer than, silicone utensils.
To ensure you’re buying the right type of kitchen utensils, take a look at what your cookware is made of and look to see if it has any special coatings.
Comfort and Grip
If you love spending time in the kitchen, you’ll want to make sure the utensils you choose fit comfortably in your hand. To get an idea of what will feel “right,” look at your current utensils. Which ones are your favorites and why? Do you like the weight of them in your hand? The way the handle is curved? What do you think of the length of the spatula, or the size of the bowl on the ladle? Focus on what you like the most, and look for a set that incorporates those elements.
Color
When it comes to color, there are no limits to what you can choose for your kitchen utensil set. From simple black and white to red, blue, or green to exotic patterns or custom colors, you can choose anything you’d like. Some sets even allow you to mix and match colors. If you have a favorite color and know it will be carried over to any kitchen you may have in the future, go for it. If you’re a bit indecisive, lean toward a simpler color, such as black, white, red, deep blue.
Storage
When choosing utensils, consider where you’ll keep them. If you have a long, deep drawer you should be able to fit anything in there, including tough-to-store ladles and spatulas. Take an inventory of what you already own and consider how many other utensils can share the same space. Beyond using a drawer, with or without a divider in it, you could consider using a caddy for the utensils you use most often.
Some utensil sets come with their own holders. If you find one you like, look for one that spins so you can grab what you need at a moment’s notice. If you’re going with a set that has several large knives, make sure the holder keeps them safely stored and out of children’s reach.
Ease of Cleaning
Given the nature of their use, most utensils are designed with clean-up in mind. To make life even easier, look for utensils that can be run through the dishwasher. Many kitchen utensils are suitable for this as long as you put them on the top rack. Keep in mind that while the utensils might be easy to clean, the holder for those utensils might not be as easy. Look at the design of each utensil on your list to determine which ones might be easiest to keep clean and organized. Ideally, all the holder will need is an occasional wipe-down with a damp cloth. Some, like a crock-style holder, can go right into the dishwasher with the utensils themselves.
Our Top Picks
See some of the best kitchen utensil sets below. From ease of use to affordability, these recommendations suit a variety of kitchen needs.
Best Overall
Home Hero Kitchen Utensil Set
The Home Hero Kitchen Utensil Set features the basics and more, including measuring utensils, graters, and a bottle opener. With 23 pieces and top-of-the-line stainless steel handles, this set offers longevity, variety, and style. The nylon heads make the utensils perfect for use with any cookware, including your favorite non-stick skillet. Although the pieces are lightweight, they’re designed to feel substantial in your hand, an indicator of quality that says this is a set you’ll keep around for quite some time.
This set also includes measuring spoons and cups, a can opener, a multi-purpose grater, utility scissors, and a bottle opener. Dishwasher safe and BPA free, this black and stainless steel set goes well with a range of décor.
Best Bang For the Buck
Umite Chef Kitchen Cooking Utensils Set
This 24-piece set can help kickstart your culinary journey or start playing with intermediate recipes. Smooth wooden handles with holes are comfortable in your hand and allow for hanging the pieces when you’re done. The set is equipped with hangers just for that purpose, but there’s also a crock if you’d rather keep your utensils on the countertop.
This set also includes a few unusual pieces, such as an offset spatula, a silicone brush, and a spoon rest. The BPA-free silicone is perfect for non-stick skillets. The measuring cup and spoon set round out this budget-friendly option.
Best Starter Set
OXO Good Grips 15-Piece Everyday Kitchen Utensil Set
This handsome slim-line set, designed to save space in the kitchen, offers 15 of the most commonly-used items. In addition to the array of spatulas you’d expect from a quality set, you’ll also find a peeler, a meat tenderizer, a can opener, a pizza wheel, and an ice cream scoop.
Made of nylon and silicone, the pieces can withstand up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, which means they’ll be able to handle your piping hot chili and soup just fine. Some utensils in this set can’t be used in your non-stick pans, such as the masher or the balloon whisk, but most of them can do the job without scratching. The base of the set has a removable drip tray, and the whole unit is dishwasher safe.
Elegant Pick
Le Creuset Silicone Utensil Set with Stoneware Crock
If you’re looking for a basic set that’s elegant in presentation, look no further than this five-piece set of silicone tools with ergonomic wooden handles. Safe up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, you won’t have a bit of hesitation in using these utensils on that bubbling casserole dish that just came out of the oven. However, keep in mind that with only five pieces—four of which are actually utensils—a serious cook will need to supplement this collection.
Available in a variety of colors, the crock matches the tools and proudly displays the Le Creuset name—thus making the quality clear. As an added bonus, the color of the crock matches a variety of other kitchen must-haves, like trivets and salt and pepper shakers, so you can coordinate your aesthetic however you like.
Best Complete Set
Home Hero Kitchen Utensil Set, 44 Pcs.
If you want to furnish your kitchen in one convenient purchase, this is the set for you. With a whopping 44 pieces, you’ll find things here that you can’t get with other sets, such as a juicer, a fish turner, a tea strainer, an icing knife, egg poachers, silicone mats, meat claws, and a garlic crusher—and that’s in addition to the usual array of spatulas, turners, and ladles. The sturdy nylon heads can withstand high temps while not leaving a mark on your non-stick surfaces. There is no holder for this impressive set, so count on using a drawer or finding a large crock to hold them for ease of use.
Best With Wooden Handles
Mibote 17 Pcs Silicone Cooking Kitchen Utensils Set
The way a utensil feels in your hand matters a great deal, especially if you enjoy cooking quite often. This set has wooden handles that feel smooth and sturdy in the hand, as well as look fantastic when they’re nestled into the matching crock. If you don’t want to store them in the crock, the pieces also come with end holes for wall-mounts.
These BPA-free utensils with silicone heads won’t mess with your non-stick cookware but can handle a temperature of 480 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition to the usual array of spatulas, this collection includes a brush, tongs, slotted spoons, a ladle, a whisk, and a grater.
Best Wooden
NAYAHOSE Wooden Cooking Utensil Set
There was a time when wooden utensils were the norm, and they lasted well enough to be handed down through generations. Wood is extremely sturdy, comfortable in the hand, good at not conducting heat (so you don’t run the risk of a too-hot handle), and some of them can be so lovely as to be works of functional art. This set of six pieces won’t cause a problem for your cookware and they’re non-toxic, eco-friendly, and easy to clean—though they do require handwashing, as the dishwasher cycle can quickly ruin them. This collection of spoons and spatulas is a fantastic starter set for those who want to channel culinary legends of the past.
Best For Non-Stick Pans
Fungun Silicone Cooking Utensil Set
A good silicone set of utensils will always be a safe option for non-stick cookware. What makes this particular set special is the fact that the tools in it are safe for non-stick pans, including the whisk. Even the measuring cups and spoons of this 24-piece set are silicone, so you can tap them onto the edge of a pan to release the contents without worry. This set includes the basics for cooking, nestled in a handsome holder that is just as easy to clean as the rest of the set.
FAQs About Kitchen Utensil Sets
You probably have a few more questions about how to choose the best utensil set. Just as with choosing a high-quality set of kitchen knives or the best non-stick cookware, you want to bring something into your home that suits your needs and fits your style. Ahead, find answers to some of the most common questions about kitchen utensils.
Q. What kitchen utensils do I need?
That depends on what you intend to do in the kitchen. A casual cook will just want a few spatulas, spoons, a ladle, kitchen shears, and the like. A more serious cook might want to outfit their kitchen like a pro.
Q. Can you use stainless steel utensils on non-stick cookware?
This is not a good idea. Stainless steel utensils can easily damage the layer of material that makes your non-stick cookware—well, non-stick. Opt for vinyl, wood, or silicone to keep your cookware looking great.
Q. Why do chefs use wooden spoons?
Wooden spoons can be used on any type of cookware, have unmatched longevity, and don’t transfer heat as readily as other types of materials. That’s why you’ll see wooden spoons not only used as cooking utensils but as small tasting spoons in professional kitchens.
Q. Are silicone kitchen utensils safe?
Look for BPA-free silicone kitchen utensils—that’s a chemical that you don’t want leaching into your food. If there’s no BPA, silicone utensils are perfectly safe.
Q. What are the safest cooking utensils?
The safest utensils are those that use natural materials, such as wood or bamboo—as long as they are not treated with chemicals. Beyond that, BPA-free silicone that can withstand high temperatures is your best bet.
Q. What’s the best way to store my kitchen utensils?
That depends upon your style and how much room you have. Good options include a drawer if you have one to spare, hanging the utensils on a wall mount for those with less counter space, or using a crock or other holder right there on the counter next to the stovetop.