9 Utensil Sets We Want for Our Kitchens — Including an All-Clad Set Currently on Sale (2024)

Whether you're a cooking novice or looking for an all-in-one set for your new home, you can't beat this collection of high-quality tools from Oxo Good Grips. Made from either nylon, silicone, or stainless steel, every piece in this 15-piece set is nonstick-compatible and designed to withstand scratches and heat-induced misshaping. This comprehensive set comes with everyday essentials like spatulas and tongs, but it also comes with more specialized tools like a pizza wheel, square turner, meat pounder, and potato masher. Thanks to the extra-large holder, all the tools can stay neatly organized to decrease clutter. The holder also comes with a removable drip tray that is dishwasher-safe.

• Number of pieces: 15
• Material: Nylon, silicone, and stainless steel
• Dishwasher-safe: Yes
  

Material makes some of our favorite chic, functional kitchen equipment, and this set of fundamental kitchen tools is no different. It includes a set of tongs, a metal spoon, a wooden spoon, a slotted spatula, and two — 4-inch and 8-inch — that sit safely against a magnetic wall of the wooden base. To personalize, select from two wood types and three handle colors. This is an elegant option for anyone looking to upgrade their kitchen with a few essential pieces. Though the spatula, tongs, and metal spoon are dishwasher-safe, be sure to hand wash the rest.

"Material sent me a Fundamentals set to try out two years ago, and it's remained on my countertop ever since," says Food & Wine's Commerce Director, Taysha Murtaugh. "As someone who has always lived in small spaces, I appreciate the smart simplicity of the wooden base. A hybrid between a utensil crock and a magnetic knife holder, it cleanly corrals everything I actually need to have at my fingertips: the three essential knives and a handful of attractive and solid tools. There's also room to stuff a few more utensils in there, which I absolutely do."

• Number of pieces: 7
• Material: Stainless steel and wood
• Dishwasher-safe: Metal utensils are; wood utensils are not
  

This six-piece set from one of our cookware brands is made from durable, rust-resistant stainless steel. A stainless steel set is a great option for cooks who like to use high heat or heavy-duty cookware — like cast iron — and this one contains pretty much anything a home cook could need. The set includes a ladle, solid spoon, slotted spoon, spatula, fork, and storage caddy. Each piece is designed with extra-long ergonomic handles that make them easy to hold and maneuver, no matter how deep of a pot you're using. Be mindful that because these tools are made from one single piece of metal, the handles could get hot with extended use.

• Number of pieces: 6, including caddy
• Material: Stainless steel
• Dishwasher-safe: Yes
  

For new chefs looking to invest in a few high-quality essentials, this set from Misen has everything you need to cook a restaurant-quality meal at home. It includes a whisk, a fish spatula, a set of tongs, a mixing spoon, and a spoon-style spatula. The pieces are made from a mix of stainless steel and silicone, which means they're heavy-duty, durable, and safe to use on nonstick cookware. Nonslip handles make them easy to hold and maneuver even when wet. This set is perfect for the first-time or occasional cook because it's an easy way to equip your kitchen with a few basic tools without spending too much money. They're also easy to use and care for, which is helpful for beginners who are just learning to cook.

The set comes in two colors: gray or black.

• Number of pieces: 5
• Material: Silicone and stainless steel
• Dishwasher-safe: Yes

Cooking isn't the only kitchen activity that requires proper utensils — bakers need a handy set of tools as well. We like the bright and colorful Oannao 9-Piece Silicone Spatula Set for all your whipping, spreading, folding, and icing needs. It uses BPA-free, food-grade silicone and includes multiple different-sized spatulas (a must for baking) along with a whisk, brush, and more. The utensils are heat resistant up to 446 degrees Fahrenheit. The silicone is ideal for working with super sticky ingredients like caramel, marshmallow, and meringue, and each piece can easily be hung on a hook when not in use.

• Number of pieces: 9
• Material: Silicone
• Dishwasher-safe: Yes
  

With four spoons (one slotted and one forked), two spatulas, and one pair of tongs, this set can tackle a variety of tasks in the kitchen without damaging any of your cookware. Bamboo is gentle enough to keep your nonstick cookware set scratch-free but can still be used to flip hefty pancakes, stir clumpy pasta, and more. Plus, it's more lightweight and durable, meaning fewer stains and damage in the long run. Bamboo utensils are versatile, too. Not only can they be used for baking and high-heat cooking, the wooden spoons can double as simple and stylish serving spoons or salad spoons. This comprehensive set is perfect for someone looking for a few multifunctional pieces at an affordable price.

• Number of pieces: 7, including caddy
• Material: Bamboo
• Dishwasher-safe: No
  

Grilling requires a heavy-duty set of tools that can withstand high heat and smoke, and this option from Cuisinart has everything you need to safely and efficiently throw a great barbecue. The 20-piece stainless steel set contains a spatula, tongs, a basting brush, corn cob holders, skewers, a digital temperature fork, and a cleaning brush with a replacement head. The elongated handles keep your hands safe from the heat, and looped rings make it easy to hang each piece on a hook. What's more, all the pieces fit into a slim, lightweight aluminum case, making it easy to store when grilling season ends.

For best results, be sure to hand wash each piece.

• Number of pieces: 20
• Material: Stainless steel
• Dishwasher-safe: No

Beautiful and versatile, this complete set from Food52 strikes a balance with its inclusion of stainless steel, wooden, and silicone utensils, so you don’t have to choose one material over the other. This set includes a stainless steel turner, wooden spoon, ladle, two different-sized whisks, and two different-sized silicone spatulas. Each utensil has a lovely acacia wood handle that should be hand-washed.

While these pieces were certainly made with quality in mind, we particularly love the subtle details that give way to ultimate function, including the double-sided spouts on the ladle, the small spatula’s nook for resting, and the thumb notches in the whisk collars. Set these inside a glass or ceramic container and proudly leave them on display between meals.

• Number of pieces: 7
• Material: Wood, silicone, and stainless steel
• Dishwasher-safe: No

Made of Italian olivewood and hand-hammered, sanded, and finished by hand, the Ruffoni six-piece set will look sharp in any kitchen display. Included is a flat-edged spatula, rounded spatula, slotted spatula, spoon, pasta fork, and serving fork, and each handle has a copper-lined hole to conveniently hang when not in use.

We’d recommend reserving these for serving, like scooping up pasta or serving a fresh salad. Because this is a porous wood, avoid high heat or soaking in water. To maintain the quality of the finish, the manufacturer recommends rubbing olivewood with coarse salt and lemon or using a soft sponge with sodium bicarbonate and lemon juice. Regardless of the type of use, rinse with warm water and make sure each utensil is dry before storing.

• Number of pieces: 6
• Material: Wood, silicone, and stainless steel
• Dishwasher-safe: No

Frequently Asked Questions

• How should you organize kitchen utensils?

  "A crock is a tried and true classic that allows you to make a design statement on your countertop. Let the colors and textures of your utensils shine and be a feature in and of themselves," says Suze Dowling, co-founder and Chief Business Officer of Pattern Brands, which produces GIR utensils. "That said, my kitchen counter is quite small – the perils of a New York apartment – so I store mine in my kitchen drawer, separated by wooden drawer dividers. Within the drawer, I recommend categorizing by both use case and size. I store my slotted spoons and sauce spoons together, followed by my turners and flips, and tongs. Make sure to always ensure your tongs are secured prior to putting them in the drawer."

• Where should utensils be placed for a table setting?

  "Because most folks are right-handed, we always recommend placing serving utensils to the right-hand side of the serveware, with the handles facing out," says Dowling. "It's both personal preference and a matter of table real estate that will help you to decide whether you place the utensil within the serving platter or bowl, or directly next to it. Should you choose to place it next to it, make sure to have a utensil rest that you can lay the utensils on after initial use."

• What is the proper method for cleaning dirty utensils?

  It's all about the materials, according to Dowling. "The method of cleaning dirty utensils directly relates to the material of the utensil. A number of materials – such as resin, plastic, and wood – can soften or warp with heat, so it's recommended that you hand wash. Materials such as silicone, stainless steel, and even silver-plated items can typically be put in the dishwasher. I love an easy cleanup, so my default is turning to silicone-based items. Not only can I pop them in the dishwasher, but I know they'll withstand the heat on the stove during prep, so they can go straight from stove to table to dishwasher. Easy!"

• What are the three most useful cooking utensils to have?

  While the most useful cooking utensils depend largely on the person using them, there are a few universally helpful tools to always have on hand. For one, tongs are incredibly versatile and serve as extensions of your hands. You can use them to flip ingredients in your pan, toss pasta in a fresh sauce, or serve up a crispy salad — among other things. A wooden spoon is another kitchen workhorse that allows you to stir ingredients, break down meat, serve a dish, and more. Finally, a handy spatula can do much more than just flip the contents in your pan, including stirring, scraping, or serving.