It’s easier to prepare and mix food in a bowl. A bowl gives us the freedom to whisk and stir without having to worry about spilling. A bowl also makes our food more aromatic and appealing to eat. Even if these mixing bowls kind of look the same, there are several types of mixing bowl that is available in the market today. That’s why we are going to list them down along with their features and uses.
History of the Mixing Bowl
Over the past few decades, almost every utensil in the domestic kitchen has adapted to the changing needs and fashions of society. But there is one thing that remained almost unchanged since it was invented over a century ago and it is the mixing bowl. We bet most of us can agree that nearly every household all over the world has a mixing bowl. You can see it on every cooking show and every photo of a modern kitchen.
The mixing bowl that almost everyone have was originally designed and made by an English pottery company named Mason Cash in 1901. The mixing bowl was initially called the Cane Bowl, and it is named after the distinctive color of the yellow earthenware that is used in its production.
Types of Mixing Bowls
You must choose the right kitchen tools, whether you’re starting to stock your first kitchen or expanding your kitchen equipment. One of the most essential tools that you should have in your kitchen is mixing bowls. Every bowl may look the same and have the same purpose, but different types of them are available in the market. It’s good to have a selection of different kinds of bowls in your kitchen because specific cooking techniques work better in certain types of bowls. That’s why we are here to help you differentiate each type, materials, and uses.
Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
This type of mixing bowl is lightweight and maneuverable. They don’t easily chip, and they don’t retain flavors and smells from previous foods, unlike plastic or silicone mixing bowls. Stainless steel mixing bowls can also be used as a double boiler if you have a correct size saucepan. The only downside of this type of mixing bowl is that it’s a great conductor of heat. This means you should always keep in mind not to get your bowl too hot so that your hands won’t get burned.
Silicone Mixing Bowls
Some people don’t like using silicone mixing bowls because they can leave behind an unpleasant taste and smell from previous foods. However, there are several reasons why you should have one in your kitchen. Silicone mixing bows are naturally non-stick, they are easy to clean, and you can put it inside the microwave without having to worry about damaging the bowl. Plus, they are very flexible, which means they don’t take up so much space in your cupboards.
Plastic Mixing Bowls
This is perhaps the least expensive type of mixing bowl. These bowls are perfect if you’re having a picnic, and you want to be able to mix and transfer food quickly. The downside of plastic mixing bowls is that they can quickly melt if you leave it too close to a hot surface or place hot foods in it. Plastic bowls are also prone to retaining odors and stains as well. That’s why if you’re going to buy plastic mixing bowls, always opt for high-quality plastic bowls.
Stoneware Mixing Bowls
This type of mixing bowls are desirable, but they are knowingly heavier compared to other kinds of bowls. This type of mixing bowl is the right one for you if you don’t want your bowls to be moving around your countertop. The only downside of these bowls is that they are prone to breaking. Once you drop them and thicker stoneware mixing bowls can break other glasses or dishes in your cupboard if you happen to hit them against each other.
Wood or Bamboo Mixing Bowl
Natural materials such as wood or bamboo can bring a beautiful element to your mixing bowls. Plus, it looks pretty in your kitchen and on your table. This type of mixing bowl is sturdy and durable. The downside is the wood with actually become seasoned over time which can add a little bit of flavor to the food that you mix in your bowl. When choosing a wooden or bamboo mixing bowl, make sure you pick an attractive and purposeful bowl so that you can also use it as a serving bowl.
Porcelain Mixing Bowl
One of the main advantages of the porcelain mixing bowl is that they are lovely. You can buy this type of bowl in different designs, colors, styles, and sizes. They are also a little bit heavy so you won’t have to worry about them moving around your countertop when you’re using them. However, porcelain mixing bowls are prone to chipping and breaking, so you have to be careful when you’re using them.
Glass Mixing Bowl
You won’t ever have to worry about the color and taste of your food being affected when you’re using a glass bowl. These bowls also perfect when you’re mixing several ingredients together because you can clearly see the sides and make sure that everything is thoroughly mixed. Just remember to choose a tempered glass bowl so you won’t have to worry about temperature swings breaking your bowl. The only downside of a glass mixing bowl is that they can easily chip and shatter when you hit them against the table or countertop.
Copper Mixing Bowls
Copper mixing bowls are incredibly pretty. That’s why it always gets the attention of several people whenever they are shopping for new mixing bowls. However, copper mixing bowls are expensive, that’s why you do not usually see them in every household. Copper mixing bowls are great for stabilizing egg whites and firm them up quickly.
Melamine Mixing Bowls
If you’re looking for a mixing bowl that is great for everyday use and easy to clean, then you should opt for this type of mixing bowl. Melamine mixing bowls are made with strengthening materials to ensure that it does not easily break or crack. Melamine has been declared safe to use by the FDA as long as you don’t use it in temperatures higher than 160° F, you can be sure that there will be no chemicals that will be transferred to your food.
Different Features of Mixing Bowls
- Set – Are you having a hard time deciding the correct size of mixing for you? Then you should opt for mixing bowls that come in nesting sets. This will allow you to store all of the mixing bowls inside of each other and take up very little storage space.
- Lid –One of the things you should consider when looking for mixing bowls is that it should have a lid so you could prepare and store your food at the same time. This way, you won’t have to cover your mixing bowl with a plastic wrap or foil when you put your bowl in the refrigerator. Mixing bowls with lids also keeps your food fresh and safe from leakage.
- Grater Lids – One of the best uses of mixing bowls is that you’re able to put all your ingredients together without having to dirty other dishes. If you’re the kind of person who do a lot of cooking from scratch or you often use a grater in the kitchen, then you should opt for mixing bowls that come with grater lids. These bowls can save you a lot of storage space, and you can always make sure that you know where you kept your grater. Plus, you can freshly grate ingredients directly to your food with less hassle.
- Handles – Having a mixing bowl with handles can help you move them quickly from one location to another. This bowl is the perfect choice for people who are suffering from arthritis or those who have weaker hands. Just remember to purchase a mixing bowl with high quality handles so you won’t ever have to worry about the bowl falling, breaking, or spilling your food.
- Interior Measurement Markings – You may have already measured your ingredients before you put them in your mixing bowl. But if you don’t want to worry about dirtying measuring cups or you just want to make sure that you’re adding the right amount of ingredients in your recipe, then we suggest that you should get yourself a mixing bowl with interior measurement markings.
- Dishwasher Safe – Cleaning up the kitchen after you’re done cooking or baking can be a bit difficult. That’s why to help you lessen your kitchen duties, you should buy a mixing bowl that is dishwasher safe. You can simply toss the mixing bowl in the dishwasher, and you won’t have to worry if they would become damaged.
- Rubberized Base – If you like to bake or you just like to mix everything well, then this mixing bowl feature is the right one for you. Mixing bowls with a rubberized base will help you to stir batter, dough, salads, and other foods effortlessly because you will not have to hold the bowl tightly to keep it in place. You will always be at ease that your mixing bowl would not move or accidentally knocked over when you’re cooking.
- Microwave Safe – Choosing a microwave-safe mixing bowl allows you to heat your food without having to transfer it to a pot and heat it on a stove. It makes your cooking process easy and you won’t ever have to worry about harmful chemicals moving to your food.
- Pour Spout – A mixing bowl with a pour spout is necessary if you always mix wet ingredients such as pancake batter or beaten eggs. Having a pour spout means you can control the flow of your liquid ingredients and make a little mess in your kitchen.
Different Sizes of Mixing Bowls
- Under Two Quarts – These mixing bowls are perfect if you only need to beat a few eggs or mix a small amount of salad dressing. It is easy to clean and store.
- Two to Four Quarts – While this is not large enough to hold items such as cookie batters. A bowl this size is useful for mixing dry or wet ingredients together before transferring it in a larger mixing bowl.
- Five to seven quarts – A mixing bowl this size gives you enough room to mix pancake batters and salads. This is the most common mixing bowl size, and it is ideal for everyday cooking.
- Eight to ten quarts – If you’re going to be mixing cookie dough or bread dough, then you should opt for a mixing bowl with this size. You can put several ingredients in here without having to worry about spillage.
- Eleven to twenty quarts – If you’re going to cook for a large number of people or you own a restaurant. Then a mixing bowl with this size is the right one for you. This mixing bowl provides enough space to mix up all your ingredients without having to worry about spillage.
