If you’ve ever moved around your kitchen utensils you’ve probably come across a slotted spoon. With its round or rectangular holes, a slotted spoon is a multi-purpose kitchen utensil that can help you separate liquids from solids.
Whether you want to separate stock from broth or pull pineapple pieces out of the syrupy can a slotted spoon definitely comes in handy. This versatile utensil has dozens of uses and comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. The best style to choose depends on what you intend to do with the spoon.
Read on to find out all the various ways you can use a slotted spoon, along with the different types of material, sizes, and hole shapes they come in.
5 Ways To Use A Slotted Spoon
The list of slotted spoon uses is endless. An incredibly versatile utensil, once you have this spoon hanging in your kitchen you’ll find dozens of uses for it. But here are some of the most common ways people use slotted spoons.
1. Serving Vegetables Without Excess Liquid
Primarily slotted spoons are used to separate solids from liquids so it is the ideal utensil if you want to drain broth. You can separate your vegetables or meat from the cooking liquid or stock. It’s definitely a versatile tool to have.
2. Frying Food
Back in the day slotted spoons were invented specifically to separate fried foods from hot oils. Having a perforated spoon with a long handle meant chefs no longer had to worry about oil burns. So if you’re making french fries or other fried foods a slotted spoon is definitely one of the best utensils you can have.
3. Removing Potatoes From Boiling Water
When you’re boiling vegetables like potatoes you often need a spoon to pull the vegetables out. While a regular spoon can work it also pulls out boiling water and then you need to navigate it carefully so you don’t burn yourself. These simple tasks are a lot easier with a slotted spoon.
4. Pulling Ice Out Of A Punch Bowl
There’s nothing more uncivilized than trying to pull ice out of a bowl with your hands. It doesn’t matter if you use one spoon or two the ice cubes just keep slipping through. With their wide base, upward curve, and multiple holes slotted spoons are the ideal way to get the ice out of the punch.
5. Draining Pasta
If you don’t want to empty your boiled pasta into a sieve you can always use a slotted spoon to pull it out. Once against you avoid the risk of splashing boiling water onto your skin. Cooking is just a lot easier when you have a slotted spoon.
Of course, depending on the type of pasta or macaroni, along with its width and shape, you’ll need to pay attention to the size of the holes in your spoon.
How To Pick The Best Slotted Spoon
When you’re picking the best-slotted spoon you need to pay attention to three factors: the different materials, the size and shapes of the perforations, and the length of the handle.
Materials
Slotted spoons come in wood, steel, and plastic. You can get the most use out of wooden spoons since they work well with nonstick or steel pans. They’re also easier to use with hot liquids since the wood doesn’t conduct heat.
Overall, wooden slotted spoons definitely make cooking easier. However, you will need to wash them by hand since you can’t put them in the dishwasher which is definitely a factor to consider. Wood spoons are also more expensive than steel alternatives.
Stainless steel spoons definitely last the longest. You can throw them in the dishwasher and get the same use out of them as any other slotted spoon. However, the steel does conduct heat so the spoon may get uncomfortably hot if it’s exposed to direct flame or left in hot oil or boiling water. So just be mindful of that if you go with this more affordable option.
Of course, the cheapest option is the plastic spoon. The only downside is that these can melt or lose their shape in extremely hot liquids. Choosing the right material is a critical aspect of the decision-making process when you’re buying a slotted spoon. Naturally, you have to consider what you’re going to use the spoon for.
If your main use is pulling ice out of a bowl or quickly removing vegetables from broth then you can easily purchase a steel or plastic spoon. However, if you want to make pasta or french fries then you’ll want a wooden spoon that can stay in the hot liquid for longer without burning your hand.
Slot Size and Shape
Most slotted spoons are shaped like a ladle and can be used to serve food and cook. The slots can be circular or rectangular, in a range of widths and sizes.
The specifics of the slot shape and size are important if you want to use the spoon to remove small items like pasta or corn. If the slot size is too big certain items could just pass through. For larger items like potatoes or vegetables, this isn’t a concern.
Handle Length
The size of your slotted spoon will vary depending on the brand and product you choose to buy. This isn’t a particularly large cooking utensil and the regular handle length may range from 11 to 14 inches.
The ideal handle length once again depends on your intended use. If you’re expecting close proximity to fried food and hot oil then 13 to 14 is the perfect length. Otherwise, you can opt for a shorter spoon.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, there is no doubt that a slotted spoon is one of the most versatile and valuable utensils you can own. It’s a must-have for any kitchen and will make your cooking a lot easier. You can use your slotted spoon for cooking, stirring, scooping, and even serving food so you’ll definitely get a lot of use out of it!
