One of the most essential tools in any kitchen is measuring devices such as measuring spoons. Without measuring spoons, you wouldn’t be able to accurately measure out ingredients for delicious and consistent recipes.
Stainless steel provides a safe, easy-to-clean, and durable option for what may be one of the most used tools in your kitchen. We’ve rounded up all the important information you need when looking to buy a new set of the best stainless steel measuring spoons; read on to learn more and find the best set for you.
Top Pick
If you want to cut to the chase and find the best set of stainless-steel measuring spoons for your kitchen? Here is my top pick based on price, versatility, and ease of use.
Rena Chris Premium Heavy-Duty Stainless-Steel Measuring Spoons
If you’re looking for an affordable option that’s durable, heavy-duty and has all the essential measurements you’ll need for most recipes, this set is a perfect choice.
Benefits of Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is a beneficial metal for many applications but what makes it a great choice for kitchen tools like measuring spoons is that it’s non-porous, durable, and is dishwasher safe. In addition, unlike many other food-safe materials such as silicone or plastic, stainless steel is affordable and does not stain or hold on to food odors.
When stainless steel products like measuring spoons and cups are built “seamlessly,” meaning using one piece of metal vs. multiple screwed together, they are virtually unbreakable through everyday use and tend to be rust-resistant long-term.
If you’re looking for affordable kitchen wares that will hold up to daily use and are durable enough to last you a long time – stainless steel is one of the best choices.
Pros and Cons to Stainless Steel Utensils
If you’re interested in stainless steel utensils and kitchen tools, you should compare the pros and cons to determine whether they’re the right choice for you. Here are some of the most important pros and cons when it comes to stainless steel kitchen tools and utensils:
Pros
- Durable
- Dishwasher Safe
- Stain and odor resistant
- Affordable
- Non-porous
Cons
- May scratch pots/pans
- May be heavy
- Some may have sharp edges
What are Measuring Spoons?
If you don’t tend to cook or bake regularly, or you’re moving out on your own for the first time, you may be weighing whether or not measuring equipment like measuring spoons and cups are a necessary purchase. What are they? Do you really need them?
Like meat thermometers, measuring spoons are an important device. They’re a kitchen tool used to precisely measure out dry or liquid ingredients in recipes. In many cases, recipes, especially when baking, require exact amounts of certain ingredients – without the use of measuring cups or spoons, getting the exact quantities can be difficult, especially smaller measurements that are more difficult to weigh.
Measuring spoons are built to easily measure standard amounts of ingredients – the basics are ¼ tsp, ½ tsp, 1 tsp, and 1 tbsp. With these basic measuring spoons, you can easily prepare most recipes. However, even for recipes that use weight, many of the ingredients measured using measuring spoons (smaller, precise measurements) are not easy to weigh and tend to be still referred to using spoon measurements.
What to Look for in Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons
So, you’ve decided that stainless steel measuring spoons are the perfect choice for your kitchen – what should you be looking for when buying the best set? Here are some of the most important considerations when purchasing stainless steel measuring spoons:
Variety of Sizes
When buying a set of stainless-steel measuring spoons, you have to consider the variety of sizes. The four basic sizes used in most recipes are ¼ tsp, ½ tsp, 1 tsp and 1 tbsp. If you are looking for the bare minimum, ensure that your set has these four measurements.
If you do a lot of cooking or baking, you may want to consider a set with expanded measurements to allow you to be more precise – these include ⅛ tsp, ¾ tsp.
Gauge of Steel
Guage of steel is something you may want to consider if you’re looking to spend a bit more on a durable and long-last set of stainless-steel measuring spoons. The gauge of steel refers to the thickness, which is important if you’re looking for a measuring spoon that doesn’t bend, warp or become misshapen easily.
In addition, lower gauges may be easier to damage in the dishwasher or during regular use. In contrast, higher gauges are thicker, more durable and more likely to last with regular wear and tear.
Keyring
Measuring spoons are often kept on a keyring; this helps keep them together and makes storage easier (they can easily hang from hooks or attach to magnetic strips). Whether you are looking for a set of measuring spoons with a keyring or not will depend on how you intend to store them.
For example, if you prefer to hang your spoons from a hook or magnetic strip, a keyring can come in handy, it can also help keep them together when placed in a drawer.
Another option for storage is magnetic snaps that allow you to stack your measuring spoons together and pull them apart for use. This storage helper tends to be a great choice for those that plan on storing their spoons in a drawer or cupboard and want to ensure that all their spoons stay together in one place.
Ease of Use
Most measuring spoons are easy to use – you just scoop or pour the ingredient into the spoon and level off with a flat object such as the included leveler or the back of a knife. However, some measuring spoons are designed for easier use.
For example, we have the standard rounded measuring spoons, which are a great basic option but can make getting ingredients such as spices out of small jars difficult. Then there is oval or rectangle spoons that are elongated to allow you to easily scoop ingredients out of small containers and jars, easily.
Quality
Most stainless-steel measuring spoons will be of decent quality – even some of the more budget-friendly options will be durable and last a long time, but there are some things to pay attention to if you’re looking for measuring spoons that are high enough quality to last you long-term.
As mentioned above, the gauge of steel can be telling of quality. High gauges of steel tend to mean thicker, more durable spoons that are more resistant to warping and damage from daily use and dishwashing.
Additionally, higher-quality measuring spoons tend to be more expensive and include expanded sizes. However, stainless steel is relatively affordable, so even higher-quality options may still be considered easy on the wallet. Still, in many cases, if you spend a little more, you will get more measurements and a more long-lasting, durable product.
Warranty
Stainless still is an affordable material, meaning that a warranty may not be concerning for you as replacements are often cheap and readily available if necessary. While the average warranty is a 30-day return policy or happiness guarantee, some more expensive options offer lifetime warranties. Whether or not a warranty is important to you when purchasing your stainless-steel measuring spoons is a personal preference.
How to Clean and Care for Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons
It’s very easy to clean and care for stainless steel – which is why it’s a great material for many kitchen tools and utensils. Stainless steel is a low-maintenance material that requires little effort to clean or maintain; in most cases, you can just toss your measuring spoons in the dishwasher or clean with warm, soapy water.
However, if you find that you’ve used an ingredient that is oily and you’re having trouble removing residue or you have dried on food you may need to put in a bit more effort to properly clean them.
For oils and residues, warm, soapy water and a bit of vinegar will usually do the trick – especially if using a soap specifically for grease. However, if you still find a residue on your spoons or there’s dried on food that’s proving difficult to remove, you can try creating a paste of water and baking soda – 2 parts baking soda and 1 part water. Rub this paste into the spoon and leave it to sit for a few minutes before wiping cleaning and rinsing with warm soapy water.
Stainless vs Plastic Measuring Spoons
Two of the most popular materials for measuring spoons are stainless steel and plastic. Let’s break down some of the benefits and downsides to each material for measuring spoons.
Price
Both plastic and stainless steel are very affordable materials. Regardless of if you choose plastic or stainless steel, you will likely be able to find plenty of options in a similar price range for both materials.
Measurements
We’re not talking about the measurements themselves here as those should be standard across any measuring spoon that you purchase, regardless of material. However, the measurements written on the spoons themselves tend to be etched into stainless steel spoons meaning that they won’t rub off and you will always be able to differentiate between your measuring spoons.
For plastic, measurements tend to be printed on and easily rub or wash off with regular use and cleaning meaning that it can become difficult to tell the difference between your measurements the longer you have your plastic spoons.
Cleaning
Both stainless steel and plastic measuring spoons can be cleaned and cared for in much the same way. They can both be thrown in the dishwasher or cleaned with warm, soapy water.
Porousness
The main difference between these two materials is that plastic is porous and thus tends to hold on to food odors and stains. Stainless steel on the other hand is non-porous and resistant to both stains and odors. Plastic tends to need to be replaced over time due to this trait, while stainless steel can be used for years and years without concern over food stains and lingering odor.
Design
Stainless steel measuring spoons tend to all have a similar style – a continuous and sleek metal spoon with etched in measurements and occasionally additional features like a silicon padded handle or double-ended measurements.
However, plastic tends to offer more versatility and design options, meaning it’s your best bet if you’re looking for something colorful or more unique.
The Best Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons
Ready to buy? We’ve rounded up some of the best stainless steel measuring spoons out there, so you didn’t have to. There’s something for everyone on this list, from the budget-friendly to the all-in-one starter set, you’re sure to find your perfect set of measuring spoons.
Rena Chris Premium Heavy-Duty Stainless-Steel Measuring Spoons
Most Affordable
The Rena Chris Premium Heavy-Duty Stainless-Steel Measuring Spoons have everything you need in this kitchen staple.
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Price Range: $7-15
- Warranty: 30 Day Free Returns
- Keyring: Yes
They’re a great, affordable kitchen tool with measurements from ⅛ tsp to 1 tbsp, a convenient D-ring for easy storage, and a dishwasher-safe design.
Pros
- 6 Pieces, sizes ranging from ⅛ tsp to 1 tbsp
- Keyring for easy storage
- Measurements etched into spoons won’t wear off
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Rounded spoons can be difficult to fit in certain containers or jars
- Heavy
Spring Chef Heavy-Duty Stainless-Steel Measuring Spoons w/ Leveler
Best Budget-Friendly Starter Set
The Spring Chef Heavy-Duty Stainless-Steel Measuring Spoons feature an oval design that makes it easy to fit into to virtually and small jar or container.
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Price Range: $10 – 20
- Warranty: 30 Day Free Returns & Happiness Guarantee
- Keyring: Yes
The bonus leveler helps you easily level off ingredients for accurate measurements. Sizes range from ⅛ tsp to 1 tbsp., so all your regular measurement needs are covered!
Pros
- Leveler
- Keyring for easy storage
- Oval shape fits in more small jars/containers
- Dishwasher Safe
- 6 sizes, raining from ⅛ tsp to 1 tbsp
- Engraved measurements on the handle won’t wear off
Cons
- Oval shape may be harder to clean, and spoons may dent more easily
OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons w/ Magnetic Snaps
Best For Basic Measurements
If you’re looking for a small, easy-to-store set of measuring spoons, the OXO Good Grips 4 Piece Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons w/ Magnetic Snaps set is perfect.
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Price Range: $10 – 20
- Warranty: 30 Day Free Returns
- Keyring: No
With 4 of the most-used, basic measurements, this set easily stacks together with a magnetic snap feature for easy storage – great for small spaces or the occasional cook.
Pros
- Magnetic Snaps for easy stacking
- Etched measurements won’t wear off
- Dishwasher safe
- Silicone handles for more comfortable grip
- Built-in divot for easy levelling
Cons
- Limited to 4 measurements
- No keyring for hanging storage
Spring Chef Magnetic Double-Sided Measuring Spoon Set
Best for Small Jars/Containers
Looking for the perfect measuring spoons that will fit in any container?
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Price Range: $10 – 20
- Warranty: Lifetime warranty
- Keyring: No
The Sping Chef Magnetic Double-Sided Measuring Spoon Set features a classic rounded design on one side and an oval side on the other for easy scooping from small jars and containers.
Pros
- The double-sided design fits in most jars and containers
- Leveler included
- Magnetic stacking for easy storage
- Seven sizes, ranging from ⅛ tsp to 1 tbsp, including ¾ tsp measure
- Lifetime warranty
- Dishwasher Safe
Cons
- No keyring for hanging storage
- Measurements may wear off, no engraved
Final Say
Measuring spoons are a must-have in every kitchen. They allow you to make precise measurements which can help you ensure your cooking and baking are perfect every time.