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These versatile tools can beat, stir, scoop, and mix, even at stovetop temperatures. environmental friendly acrylic silicone
A good spatula is one of the most versatile and handy tools any cook can have in their kitchen. It's the best tool for mixing brownie ingredients, folding whipped egg whites into batter, or just scraping every last bit off the sides of the bowl — no matter the task, there's a spatula out there to get the job done. A spatula is a tool you can reach for almost every time you cook, whether you're making a cake for a special occasion or simply preparing your morning scrambled eggs. And heat-resistant silicone is an ideal spatula material, essential for protecting nonstick cookware.
There are a lot to choose from so we selected seven models to take to the test kitchen and find the best silicone spatula. To make sure we tested a wide cross-section, we picked a few sets and a variety of shapes and sizes of single spatulas across several brands, looking for mixing ability, heat resistance, and how easy they were to clean.
We loved how durable and heat-resistant these spatulas are, as well as the versatility of a four-piece set.
The softer material makes them unsuitable for thick batter.
U-Taste recently upgraded its spatulas to a BPA-free premium silicone (the same material used for baby bottles), making them heat-resistant up to 600°F. When we turned up the heat, these spatulas stayed cool; no warping or damage here! Even the mini-spatula and jar scraper held up well beyond 500°F. And when it came time to wash up, the matte texture made these the easiest to clean of all the spatulas we tested.
We loved the variety this set provides, with a spoon, large spatula, mini-spatula, and jar scraper. Each has a unique shape that makes it perfect for different tasks. However, the soft silicone felt a bit floppy compared to other models we tested; you might prefer a stiffer material for extra-thick batter or hefty dough.
Lengths: 8.94 inches (mini-spatula), 9.72 inches (jar scraper), 11.38 inches (spoon spatula), 11.38 inches (large spatula) | Material: BPA-free silicone | Heat Resistance: Up to 600°F | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
The shape of the head is perfect for scraping out bowls, and the rigid handle is ideal for mixing.
You might have trouble dealing with very small bowls, thanks to limited flexibility.
The Le Creuset Craft Series Spatula's dual-sided construction provides a curved edge for skillets and bowls, and a straight edge for cocottes and casserole dishes. In our tests, we found the Le Creuset's head shape was able to maneuver well, mixing very thick brownie batter without trouble. The rounded corner is great for scraping, while the squared tip on the other side is a perfect match for more precise or delicate tasks, making this spatula a baker's best friend.
We also found that the only flexible part of the spatula was the very tip — everything else was pretty firm, making it trickier to scoop things out of a small container. But that's perfect for stirring thick batter and scraping every last bit out of a mixing bowl. Some brownie batter got stuck to the silicone head during mixing, but it washed off easily with soap and warm water.
Length: 12.5 inches | Materials: Wood, silicone | Heat Resistance: Up to 482ºF | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
The variety of shapes and sizes allowed this set to ace our tests.
One of the spatulas didn't stand up to high-temperature testing.
This set is perfect for daily use and made quick work of the thickest batter in our tests with its comfortable grip and strong, durable core with a malleable edge. This set comes with three spatulas: a large and mini in the standard shape, plus a medium spoon spatula. With that variety, there's no task you can't tackle.
We loved everything about this versatile set. During testing, each spatula served its particular purpose — the small one got into all the nooks and crannies, while the larger ones proved to be multi-tools for stirring, mixing, and scraping. All of them are also more on the narrow side, which is perfect for getting into the corners of baking pans.
However, these spatulas are not as heat resistant as we'd like. OXO calls them "heat-resistant" but doesn't specify a maximum temperature, and after 5 minutes in our hot pan, the white spoon spatula started to warp and bubble. It didn't fully melt but we wouldn't recommend these for high heat.
Lengths: 13 inches (long spatula), 12 inches (spoon spatula), 10 inches (mini-spatula) | Material: BPA-free silicone | Dishwasher-Safe: Top rack only
This spatula was a top performer when it came to heat resistance, and the ultra-flexible head is perfect for any bowl.
The detachable head could trap food over time.
High heat met its match in our testing with the Tovolo Flex-Core. It didn't deform or melt in any way and has a tolerance of up to 600°F. The handle stayed cool to the touch, making this spatula not only supremely heat-resistant but safe to use under the broiler or over a maximum flame. There's a firm nylon core inside the head, but its silicone edges are very flexible, allowing it to contour to any shape. It's also available in a dozen colors.
For easy cleaning, the head can detach from the handle; but the problem is that bits of food could get stuck in there. If you're planning to run this through the dishwasher, we'd recommend leaving the two pieces connected while you do so.
Length: 12.75 inches | Materials: Wood, silicone, nylon | Heat Resistance: Up to 600°F | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes
Food & Wine / Tamara Staples
This spatula is very lightweight and performed well as a scraper.
The sharply curved head struggled to get into right-angle corners.
This lightweight spatula from KitchenAid is a great tool for the cost. Its pairs a bamboo handle with a curved silicone head that resists heat up to 500°F. It's very easy to clean with a speedy hand-wash, though unlike the other spatulas on this list it can't go in the dishwasher. It did live up to the "scraper" in its name in testing; we loved the flexible head and the tapered point to get that last bit of batter out of a bowl. Still, we found it difficult to get the sharp curve into the right-angle corners of a baking pan, and its tipped point didn't make folding any easier. Everything considered, it's a great value for quality tool from a well-known brand.
Length: 11.85 inches | Materials: Bamboo, silicone | Heat Resistance: Up to 500°F | Dishwasher-Safe: No
Food & Wine / Tamara Staples
For a variety of head shapes, comfortability, and heat resistance, the U-Taste Silicone Spatula Set ticks all the boxes, giving you four tools specialized to various situations. The KitchenAid Bamboo Handle Scraper Spatula earned our best value pick for its solid scraping ability at a great price.
We tested seven spatulas and spatula sets for this roundup, in various sizes and shapes, and with various handle materials and designs. We paid particular attention to how versatile, comfortable, heat resistant, and easy to clean each spatula was. We considered the construction, pliability, shape, and size, and put them through a set of identical tests.
After we finished our other tests, we revealed the retail prices of the spatulas to consider value. At the time of testing, the prices ranged from $9 to $25, with an average cost of about $15. Interestingly, the most and least expensive items we tested were both multi-spatula sets, with all the single spatulas settling in the middle.
When it comes to a tool you'll want to reach for over and over again, comfort is a major factor. Consider the handle material: wood or silicone? Size also comes to play. Longer spatulas might feel unwieldy while smaller ones sometimes require a little more elbow grease depending the task at hand.
Depending on how you're planning to use your spatula, you may not have to consider this. However, the best spatula is a multi-tasker that can seamlessly integrate into whatever you like to do in the kitchen. Not all spatulas react well to heat and may even burn, melt, or warp when exposed to extreme temperatures. If you know you're going to be mixing up batches of homemade caramel, tossing freshly deep fried food, or flipping a steak while you reverse-sear, look for a spatula with a high maximum temperature.
Spatulas can be used to mix batter, stir in hot pans, scrape bowls, and much more. Some shapes are better for particular tasks. For example, spatulas with a curved and tapered edge are optimal for scraping and mixing, whereas spatulas with a flatter head are more ideal for scooping. Although the best spatula is one that is versatile and can be used for more than just one type of task. Another thing to keep in mind is the size of the head. If it's too big, it may be difficult to maneuver around small bowls or scrape tight corners. Spatulas with smaller heads or mini spatulas can't stand up to large volume bowls the way their larger counterparts can.
If you are looking for dishwasher-safe kitchen tools, then silicone tools are a good bet. (Many wooden ones, for example, must be hand-washed.) Some spatulas have removable silicone heads that you can pop in the dishwasher with a wooden handle that needs to be hand-washed, though this may not be suitable for some people, as food can easily get stuck in the space in between. Generally, silicone is a very slick material that's easy to clean, but some brands use silicone with a more shiny or more matte finish which can impact how easy it is to clean.
Spatulas in general are good for scraping and mixing. They're used to incorporate ingredients into batters, gently fold in egg whites, stir sauces, keep your fingers clean with sticky ingredients like honey, and more. The shape helps get into crevices and corners to scrape out every last drop. With a heat-resistant silicone spatula, you can also mix and scrape in a hot pan. It's ideal for dishes that need cooking and careful handling at the same time, such as omelets and crêpes.
As long as you keep the temperature under your particular model's limit, it's perfectly safe to cook using a silicone spatula. Some can't go above 450 to 500°F, which is easy to achieve on a stove, while others can handle all the way up to 600°F or higher. If your spatula melts, burns, or starts to bubble, it's gotten too hot and you should replace it.
As with other types of plastic, like those used in freezer and storage containers, there are many silicone tools made without BPA. Research results on whether the compound is harmful are still unclear, but if you're concerned it's easy to find BPA-free silicone.
Cuisinart Flex & Flip ($17 at Walmart)
The long handle would work well for mixing in a big bowl or stand mixer and it had a comfortable grip but unfortunately, it did not take the heat well and came out discolored and even melted in some parts after the caramel test.
Cuisinart Mini Spatulas ($9 at Amazon)
Since this is a mini set, we wouldn't recommend these for your everyday baking needs though they held up against the heat.
construction adhesive Lauren Musni is a Food & Wine fellow with an associate's degree in culinary arts from the Culinary Institute of America. She wrote this piece based on our test results, her personal experience working in restaurants, and her love for baking and cooking.