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Learn & WatchSubmitWe independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products-learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.The Best Slotted Spoons for Cooking Stews, Soups, and Meals
Published: 2 Nov 2023For people who don’t know how to cook, slotted spoons may look like an odd design choice. After all, spoons are meant to hold liquids, right? For those who do cook, however, slotted spoons are an invaluable addition to any kitchen, as you can use them for taste testing, food segregation, and more.
Slotted spoons are great because they allow you to easily separate food from the liquid. This can be very useful when working with stews and soups, as you can easily check the status of your meat and vegetables without the soup blocking the view. It can also help when you’re working on particular recipes and need to separate the ingredients from something like water.
If you need a slotted spoon or two for your kitchen, check out our favorite slotted spoons of 2023 available on Amazon right now!
Show contentsHighlighting the Top Slotted Spoon of 2023 in Detail- DI ORO Spoon - Best Overall
- Joseph Joseph Spoon - Runner-Up
- OTOTO Spoon - Most Functional
- Miusco Spoon - Contender
- Chef Craft Spoon - Honorable Mention
- OXO Spoon - Also Consider
Finding the Perfect Slotted Spoon for Your Kitchen: A Buyer’s GuideFinding the Perfect Slotted Spoon for Your Kitchen: A Buyer’s Guide
This quick guide will cover the basic need-to-know information when it comes to high-quality slotted spoons.
What Are Slotted Spoons?
Slotted spoons are shaped like regular spoons, but have a few slots situated at the base of the spoon’s head. These slots allow liquids to drain out from the spoon, leaving behind only solids that were scooped up in the process.
Why Do You Need a Slotted Spoon?
You can cook safely with them
Slotted spoons are actually pretty useful as substitutes to regular spoons in a lot of situations. Contrary to its looks, you can actually stir up food with the spoon, as while there are open slots, there’s still plenty of solid surface area to mix soups and broths with. You’ll find it especially easy to mix thick broths, too, as it’ll be more difficult for the broth to pass through the slotted spoon’s slots.
Another advantage of slotted spoons that makes them safe for cooking is that you can easily remove hot water and oil from the spoon when you remove them from the pot. Some people have pretty sensitive skin, and making contact with hot oil and water is not a good idea. With a slotted spoon, all that oil and water just drains right through.
You can retrieve solids without the liquids
Slotted spoons are especially useful in making particular dishes because you can separate the solids from the liquids when you scoop up the dish. If you’re trying to examine the color and texture of your meat in a soup, for example, using a slotted spoon will make it easier to examine the food, as you won’t be distracted by all that soup.
Aside from soups, you can also use slotted spoons to remove solids while leaving the liquids behind. If you’re boiling chicken, for example, you can leave behind the water to use as a stock. Or, if you don’t have any other useful utensils, you can use the slotted spoon to retrieve some fries from oil.
Things To Consider When Buying a Slotted Spoon
Size
You’ll want to worry about the size of the spoon first if you ever consider buying a slotted spoon. Slotted spoons come in all shapes and sizes: some are as small as a teaspoon, whereas others can be large enough for cooking soups. The ideal size for your kitchen is highly dependent on what meals you currently cook, as well as what meals you intend on cooking moving forward.
A general rule of thumb is that you’ll probably be fine with a large-sized slotted spoon. After all, you really only take advantage of the slotted design when separating solids from liquids, and in those situations, you probably want a large spoon and not a small one. However, if you think that a smaller slotted spoon would serve you well, you can buy multiple spoons in different sizes to help prepare you for all sorts of scenarios.
Material
The material of the spoon can also vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. There are currently three popular materials used in making slotted spoons: silicone, metal, and wood. Silicone is typically used in both the head and the handle portions of the spoon. Metal is usually limited for use in the head, as the handle will almost always have a grip made out of rubber or some plastic for insulation purposes. Wood can be used in both the handle and the head of the spoon.
What you ultimately choose doesn’t matter all that much, though there are a few differences that you may want to consider. For one, metal is usually the heaviest of the three materials, and wooden spoons may only allow for hand washing. Silicone spoons can also be permanently damaged if subjected to extreme heat, so be careful when cooking especially hot foods or with oil when using silicone.
Tips For Using a Slotted Spoon
Wash them properly
Like all utensils, it’s important to wash the spoon after use. However, you’ll also need to take into consideration whether or not the spoon is safe to be washed in a dishwasher. The product packaging or store page will usually mention whether or not you can wash it in a dishwasher. If it’s hand wash only, set it aside with other hand wash-only utensils and have them washed by the sink while the dishwasher handles the rest.
Sort them accordingly
If you sort your kitchen utensils, we recommend placing the slotted spoon beside other spoons, and if possible, right next to spoons of the same size. That way, you can easily figure out where the slotted spoon is without having to scour through your drawers and shelves for it.
Highlighting the Top Slotted Spoon of 2023 in Detail
1DI ORO Spoon
– Best OverallSilicone spoons are seeing a huge boom in popularity. They’re durable, affordable, and non-toxic thanks to their chemically stable nature. This pair of spoons is a solid choice for home and professional cooks alike, as you’re getting one spoon for general use and another spoon for separating the solids from the liquids. The two spoons are of the same size, too, so you can easily use them the same way.
The two-piece set is available in two colors: red and black. The red-colored spoons look great, though we personally recommend getting the black set, as black simply blends better with most kitchenware. You can also purchase a 4-piece set of spatulas from the same store page, so if you’ve been meaning to get that, too, then you can buy spatulas with the same silicone make and the same level of quality.
Pros- Set of 2
- Great for home and professional use
Cons- Only comes in two colors
2Joseph Joseph Spoon
– Runner-UpThis next utensil is like a Swiss Army knife but for the kitchen. It’s a 5-in-1 tool that has all sorts of uses. For one, you can use it as a solid spoon to scoop up soups, but there’s also a slotted end if you’d rather just grab the meat. The tool can also be used as a spatula, a turner, and even a slicer thanks to its serrated edge. Do note, however, that it’s not actually that good of a slicer, so you’re far better off getting a general cutting knife instead.
This tool really comes in handy when you’re trying to cook a recipe you aren’t familiar with, as you’ll likely be shuffling about getting different tools that you didn’t know you needed. With this tool, however, you can simply turn the tool around and use it in one of five different ways, saving you time and effort in the kitchen as you learn to master that new recipe you’re working on.
Pros- 5-in-1 tool
- Great for general use
Cons- Slicer isn’t very effective
3OTOTO Spoon
– Most FunctionalThe whimsical and larger-than-life OTOTO Giant Ladle Jungle Spoon is a kitchen utensil that combines playful design with practical functionality. Crafted for those who dare to add a touch of adventure to their culinary escapades, this giant ladle reimagines everyday cooking as a jungle safari. Designed by creative minds, this ladle is not only a handy tool for serving soups and stews. It’s also a delightful conversation starter in any kitchen.
Crafted from food-grade and BPA-free materials, this spoon is safe for both adults and kids to use. Its jungle-themed design features a charming lion’s head at the handle. This makes it a striking and fun addition to any kitchen space. Measuring at a generous size, this ladle can hold ample servings of your favorite dishes. This feature makes it perfect for gatherings and family meals alike. Its long handle provides a comfortable grip as well.
Pros- Whimsical and entertaining design
- Generous oversized capacity
- Safe and durable
Cons- Limited versatility and functions
4Miusco Spoon
– ContenderThis next product is actually a set of utensils rather than just being one slotted spoon. The set includes a spatula, a spoon, a spoonula, a slotted spoon, and a turner. All the tools use the same type of silicone, and they all share the exact same wooden handle. This can be a good thing, as once you feel comfortable with using one of the tools, you’ll feel comfortable using all of the other tools as well.
Due to the nature of the tools, some of them will be used far more often than others. For example, you’ll likely see a lot of use for the turner and spatula if you make burgers often, whereas the spoon and slotted spoon will be more commonly used if you make salads and soups on a more regular basis. The set is available in a total of four colors, though only the head changes color while the handle stays the same.
Pros- Comes in four colors
- Contains various tools
Cons- You probably won’t use all of the tools regularly
5Chef Craft Spoon
– Honorable MentionThis next spoon is designed for daily use. Unlike the other spoons we’ve showcased, this one’s made out of stainless steel. The material makes it very durable, allowing you to use it daily for months and even years on end while still being in relatively good condition. The spoon is 12 inches long, providing you with enough space and distance away from the pan to keep your hands and face safe from heat, hot water, oil, and more.
The best part about this spoon is that for how high-quality it is, the price is a steal: it’s less than $7! Sure, you’re only getting one spoon, but this spoon is made to last. You can also get skimmers, turners, and basting spoons with the same level of quality on the store page, though their prices vary, so you’ll have to take a look at them to see if they’re worth your investment.
Pros- Heavy-duty
- Made out of stainless steel
Cons- A bit heavier than other slotted spoons
6OXO Spoon
– Also ConsiderFor our final slotted spoon option, we figured it’s best if we went back to the basics. Many utensils were originally made out of wood, as they were easy to carve out and affordable. Even today, many people prefer using wooden utensils, as it feels nostalgic and natural, and some even consider the type of utensil as having an effect on the final dish. If you think that you’d do well with a wooden spoon, then you’ll love this one.
The spoon costs just under $7, which is quite a lot for a piece of wood, but remember that this isn’t just any spoon – it’s slotted! Adding slots to a spoon without damaging the overall integrity of the wood can be quite difficult, even with the help of machinery. The spoon’s got a natural oil finish and is safe for modern non-stick cookware. Just be sure not to throw it in the dishwasher and you should be fine.
Pros- Sleek wooden design
- Works with non-stick cookware
Cons- Hand wash only
People Also Asked
Q: Are slotted spoons necessary to cook?A: Not necessarily, though you may find it easier to cook certain recipes with a slotted spoon.
Q: Can I test soups with a slotted spoon?A: It is very difficult to get a taste test of a soup with a slotted spoon, as the slots will just drain the soup away before it reaches your mouth.
Q: What’s the best material for slotted spoons?A: There is no one best material for slotted spoons, so you can pick whatever material you personally prefer.
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