Buying guide for Best mixing bowl sets
Mixing bowls serve as a staple in the modern kitchen. You can use them for everything from baking to making sauces, desserts, and marinades. With the right set of mixing bowls on hand, your time in the kitchen can be easy, fast, and fun.
However, there are so many mixing bowl options on the market that knowing where to begin can be hard. Which sizes do you need? Which depths? And which material is best for your mixing bowl set? We're here to help you answer these questions.
Mixing bowl materials
The material used to make a set of mixing bowls greatly impacts their performance. The most common mixing bowl materials include stainless steel, glass, plastic, copper, ceramic, wood (and wood-like materials), and silicone.
Below, we delve into the pros and cons of each material.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel is incredibly durable and easy to clean, and it can withstand high temperatures. You’ll see lots of pots and pans made of stainless steel for these very reasons. Mixing bowls made of stainless steel easily tolerate the rigors of everyday kitchen use. Those without a skid-proof bottom can be used as a double boiler when placed on top of a pot heated on the stove. However, stainless steel cannot be used in the microwave because it could start a fire.
Expert TIp
You can keep a metal, ceramic, glass, or wood bowl from scooting across the counter by placing a damp dish towel or damp paper towel under the bowl. This is also great for keeping dishes of food from sliding around in your car when headed to a potluck.
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Glass
For many years, glass mixing bowls served as the kitchen standard. Now that plastic and stainless steel bowls are readily available, however, glass has lost some of its popular charm. But glass bowls still offer some advantages; they’re easy to clean, and the material won’t change the taste or color of food.
If you choose this option, opt for tempered glass, which can safely be used in the oven and microwave.
Plastic
Once plastic entered the mixing bowl market, it quickly swelled in popularity due to its low price and shatter resistance. Plastic is also lightweight, which is helpful if you like to toss salads or do a lot of whisking.
It used to be standard practice to put plastic bowls in the microwave, but not anymore. Some bowls may be BPA-free and microwaveable, but you should always read the manufacturer’s label for information about best practices.
Notably, plastic can absorb flavors and odors from foods, transferring them to other foods even after the bowl has been washed.
For your safety
Stainless steel should never go in the microwave, as it could start a fire. Watch out for bowls with metal rims, too; it’s easy to forget about that band of metal, but it could also cause a fire if placed in the microwave.
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Copper
The classic look of copper lends an air of elegance to any kitchen. However, the expensive price tag makes copper an impractical choice for some consumers. Copper mixing bowls share many positive qualities with stainless steel, but they are known to discolor easily.
An instance in which copper wields a distinct advantage over other materials is when egg whites are being mixed. Copper ions react with the egg whites to create a stabilized mixture. If you mix a lot of egg whites and like the look of copper, it might be worth paying the higher price for a set of copper mixing bowls.
Ceramic
Some people love ceramic bowls for their beautiful colors and decorative designs. Indeed, a set of ceramic bowls can be a lovely addition to the kitchen. What’s more, ceramic bowls are usually heavy enough to stay put for mixing. However, that same weight can make it tough to toss dressings or hold the bowl while whisking. And ceramic is known to chip, break, and crack far more easily than any other mixing bowl material.
If you opt for a set of ceramic mixing bowls, read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Some ceramic bowls are safe for microwave and oven use, but they cannot be placed on the stovetop.
Expert Tip
When mixing several ingredients together for a dip or cake, choose a generously-sized bowl – not one that just fits. As you stir, portions of the mix can blob up and over the lip of a too-small bowl.
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Wood/wood-like materials
Wood, bamboo, and cork can make an attractive bowl. You might wish to prepare and serve a salad in such a bowl. But when it comes to stirring batters and mixing doughs, the porous surface of wood and similar materials is less than ideal. These types of mixing bowl sets are best left for serving food rather than day-to-day cooking.
Silicone
Silicone has blown onto the market much like plastic did years ago. Silicone mixing bowls offer a host of benefits, including the following.
Silicone is flexible, so you can alter its shape to fit your needs. (For example, you can form a spout to pour batter.) The rubbery texture turns some people away, but it doesn’t affect functionality. On the downside, silicone does tend to hold on to the odors of some foods.
Other features to consider
In addition to mixing bowl material, what should you think about when choosing a mixing bowl set? Below, we examine a few more important factors.
Shape and depth
A good mixing bowl should have a height and radius that are within an inch or two of each other. Deeper mixing bowls make it easier to keep all the ingredients in the bowl, especially if you’re mixing batter or dough. Wide, shallow bowls work best for whisking dressing, whipping cream, and similar tasks.
Odor and stain-resistance
Many a good meal has been ruined by the transfer of odors from a mixing bowl. Plastic, silicone, and wood are all known to have more problems with odor and stain absorption than glass and stainless steel. If you prepare curries, hot peppers, or other fragrant foods, you may wish to consider bowls that resist odors and stains.
Weight
Bowls on both ends of the weight spectrum have their benefits. Lightweight bowls are easier to hold in one arm while whisking with the other. They’re also easier to toss salads in. However, heavy bowls tend to stay in place on the countertop.
Stovetop capability
Stainless steel bowls that can withstand high temperatures can be directly placed onto a heated pot for use as a double boiler. However, be sure that any bowl you place on the stovetop does not have a non-skid surface on the bottom.
Microwave compatibility
The ability to put ingredients in the microwave in the same bowl in which they were mixed means fewer dishes and faster cooking. Silicone and glass can usually be microwaved safely, though inexpensive silicone doesn’t hold up to the heat of microwaving as well. Some plastics can withstand microwave exposure well, but some people still choose not to use them in the microwave. Stainless steel should never be microwaved because it poses a fire hazard. For safety reasons, check the manufacturer’s recommendations before putting a new mixing bowl in the microwave.
Non-skid bottom
A bowl with a non-skid bottom won’t scoot across the countertop while you stir. With this type of bowl, you can add ingredients with one hand while stirring with the other.
Lids
Mixing bowl sets that come with lids enable you to store food directly in your bowls. Some lids are vented so you can place them in the microwave. Other lids have openings for hand mixers, while still others have built-in graters.
Expert Tip
Nesting bowls made of ceramic or glass can clang loudly and chip bowls when accessing the stack. Prevent loud sounds and avoid chips by laying a fresh, dry paper towel between each bowl in a stack.
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Mixing bowl set prices
Less Than $25
In this price range, you can find a plastic mixing bowl set that may come with lids and a built-in spout. Most sets in this lower price range come with three bowls.
$25 to $50
You’ll find some quality mixing bowl sets made of stainless steel, glass, ceramic, silicone, and plastic in this price range. Bowls with lids and pouring spouts are more commonly seen in this price range.
$50 to $100
At this higher price range, you’ll find some stainless steel mixing bowl sets with as many as 10 bowls. You’ll also find some high-end bowl sets made of ceramic and/or glass. Bowls with colorful designs and non-skid bottoms are common in this price range.
Over $100
Mixing bowl sets from top-end brands exist in this price range, many of which are made of stainless steel or copper. These high-grade, name-brand stainless steel sets usually have four or more bowls, while the copper sets may only have three.
Tips
- Consider your storage space. In a small kitchen, nesting bowls save precious cupboard space. Some attractive metal bowls have handles and could be hung on the wall and displayed.
- Are you looking for a mixing bowl you can use with a hand mixer? We recommend opting for a bowl with a flat bottom.
- Reduce the mess. Some mixing bowl lids come with a hole in the center where you can insert a hand mixer.
FAQ
Q. I’m just starting my kitchen. What bowl sizes do I need for most of my cooking?
A. The beginning home cook would probably be happy with a standard mixing bowl set that includes a 4-quart bowl, a 2.5-quart bowl, and a 1.25-quart bowl. More bowls of different sizes could always be added to the collection over time.
Q. Should I purchase a mixing bowl set that has handles and a spout?
A. Spouts are certainly convenient, but basing your decision solely on whether or not the bowls have spouts could be a mistake. After all, you could also use a funnel for precise pouring.
Handles are also convenient, but again, we believe you should base your buying decision on the overall quality of the bowl set.
