Best Mixing Bowls
Thinking of purchasing some new mixing bowls? No kitchen is complete without a set. These bowls are handy for mixing ingredients, marinating, measuring out ingredients, tossing a salad, storing leftovers, beating eggs, stirring pasta, and many other uses. You’ll find yourself using them every day. They also make a great holder for popcorn while you’re watching TV.
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular mixing bowls on the market today:
1. Editor’s Choice: Cuisinart Chef’s Classic Mixing Bowls SB-302LP
In this set, the mixing bowls are attractive and made of brushed stainless steel. The set includes three bowls of different sizes, holding 1.5, 3, and 5 quarts. These are great sizes for a small family, but if you often do more batch cooking, you might need another, larger bowl.
The bowls have deep interiors and tall sides, which keeps your counter top clean when using a hand mixer. The smooth round edges make it easy to scoop out batter with a spoon or spatula. The smallest bowl has a slightly rounded bottom so you can try using it as a double boiler in a sauce pan.
They all come with lids, which is especially handy. The lids make a tight seal and therefore these bowls are great for storing food. Simply prep your food and store it in the same container! And both the containers and lids are freezer-safe for convenient storage. The lids are well balanced and not too heavy.
They have a rolled lip which is handy as it is easy to grip and comfortable to hold. This rolled rim is a nice edge to hold onto while you are working.
The containers are heavy duty and durable, and stand up to all your tasks and requirements in the kitchen. They can be repeatedly dropped or banged without acquiring any dents or warping. Although they are heavier than most metal bowls, they are still light weight enough to use easily.
The bowls nest within each other, which makes them easy to move as a stack. They are also easy to clean and dishwasher safe.
Be sure to use rubber utensils as others made of metal may scratch the stainless steel. One drawback is they tend to rust after a long period of time.
Pros
- Set of three nested bowls of different sizes, with smooth round edges and lids
- Attractive, made of brushed stainless steel
- Heavy duty and durable, stands up to all your kitchen tasks and won’t dent or warp
- Lids make tight seal, perfect for storing food; containers and lids are freezer-safe
- Rolled rim makes it easy to hang onto while working
- Easy to clean and dishwasher safe
Cons
- Bowls may rust over time
2. Runner Up: FineDine Premium Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
This affordable set includes five premium, stainless steel bowls with airtight lids. Each bowl is a different size, and they hold 0.75, 1, 1.5, 3, and 5 quarts. They are nested, which makes storage simple. They are a nice versatile set that can be used for cooking, baking, and food storage.
They are designed for stability, and they have a wide, flat rim with which you can easily grip the bowl for whisking, mixing, pouring, preparing, and serving.
They have deep interiors and tall sides, deeper than most standard bowls, which holds the mess in. The bigger bowls are great for large batters, as well as for marinating food, tossing salads, and storing food. The two small bowls are handy for prepping or whisking/beating smaller amounts.
The heavy gauge stainless steel containers are sanitary, do not absorb stains, bacteria, or odors, and are fingerprint-proof. They are refrigerator- and freezer-safe. They are light weight, and easy to move between your counter to your table to your freezer.
The lids are made of BPA-free, HDPE plastic, and they will not leach toxins. They fit snugly to the containers and are recessed at the top for stacking of the bowls with lids. They have handles that make it easy to remove the lids when you need to.
The bowls and lids are easy to clean and safe in the dishwasher.
One drawback is the bowls are a bit thinner than other more expensive brands which gives one the impression they will not stand up to long term use. Some users have reported these bowls acquire dents, scratches, and rust easily. The lids are fussy to put on and they make an unreliable seal.
Pros
- Set includes five nested stainless steel bowls
- Wide, flat rim for easy grip
- Sanitary, do not absorb bacteria, odors, or stains, and fingerprint-proof
- Refrigerator- and freezer-safe
- Lids made of BPA-free plastic; will not leach toxins
- Easy to clean, dishwasher safe
Cons
- Thinner than other more expensive brands
- Acquire dents, scratches, and rust easily
- Lids fussy to put on and make an unreliable seal
3. Best 3-Piece Set: OXO Good Grips Three-Piece Mixing Set 1169600
This set includes three nested, white or multicolored mixing bowls with brown handles. The bowls are different sizes, holding 1.5, 3, and 5 quarts. The largest bowl measures 11 inches across and is deep enough to avoid spilling and messes when you are mixing.
The small bowl is great for making salad dressing or beating eggs; the medium size is handy for all sorts of baking needs; and the larger bowl is best for holding popcorn or tossing salads. They are light weight, which makes them easy to maneuver and move.
The bowls are made of sturdy, BPA-free plastic, which means they won’t break if you drop them and they will not leach toxins or absorb food odors. They are thick and heavy duty. Each bowl has a wide lip and spout which makes it easy to pour out liquids or batter.
Each bowl has a non-skid bottom, which keeps it very stable with whatever you are doing, even if you have the bowl on a tilt. The handles are non-slip, soft, and comfortable. They are easy to grip.
These bowls are dishwasher safe and easy to clean. Also, they do not stain.
Pros
- Set includes three nested bowls with brown handles
- Choose from white or multicolored
- Different sizes: 1.5, 3, and 5 quarts
- Light weight, which makes them easy to maneuver and move
- Thick, sturdy, and made of BPA-free plastic
- Non-skid bottom and non-slip handles
Cons
- None mentioned by users
4. Best with Lids: Wildone Stainless Steel Nesting Mixing Bowls 8541885042
This set includes five durable, high quality stainless steel mixing bowls with lids. The bowls are all different sizes, holding 1.5, 2, 3, 5, and 8 quarts. These bowls are great for a variety of prepping, washing, and mixing jobs in your kitchen.
The basins are deep to avoid spills and messes. The bowls are also non-slip due to their silicone bottoms, for added safety and reliability when you are preparing food. They are also rust- and dent-resistant. They are refrigerator- and freezer-safe.
They feature a mirror finish on the inside and a brushed finish on the outside, making them both attractive and practical.
One unexpected but very useful feature is the scale marks stamped inside each bowl. This is handy for easy and accurate measurement. The bowls also have rolled rims for easy holding.
Each bowl has a matching BPA-free plastic lid so you can keep your food fresh in the fridge if you are marinating or storing leftovers. The lids make an airtight seal with the bowls, which is perfect for food storage.
These containers are easy to clean, and the bowls are dishwasher safe (the lids should be washed by hand to avoid warping). They are stackable for easy storage. The bowls can be nested, so they will compactly fit in your cupboards.
One drawback is some users have found the lids do not stay on as tightly as expected.
Pros
- Five durable stainless steel bowls with plastic lids
- Different sizes: 1.5, 2, 3, 5, and 8 quarts
- Deep basins to avoid spills and messes
- Non-slip bottoms
- Refrigerator- and freezer-safe
- Scale measurement marks stamped to inside of each bowl
Cons
- Lids do not stay on as tightly as expected
5. Best Glass: Anchor Hocking Glass Mixing Bowls
This set includes 10 durable glass bowls that range wildly in size. The smallest bowls hold a small capacity of one and two ounces, which may be ideal for mixing spices or serving sauces, while the larger bowls hold up to 1.5 and 2.5 quarts respectively. The variety of sizes allows you to utilize these bowls for all sorts of uses, such as mise en place, mixing bowls or even used to serve salads.
Although glass bowls are heavier than other materials, they are not without their benefits. They are safe to use in the microwave and dishwasher and will not absorb any colors or stains. They also prevent smells from building up and will not leak chemicals into your food.
If storage space is an issue, you won’t have to clear up ample space in your cupboards for this large set, as all of the bowls neatly and conveniently stack into themselves. This is also an ideal option if you’re looking for a wide variety of bowls at a reasonable price, or, if you enjoy a matching set of bowls.
It is worth noting, however, that as these are glass bowls, if dropped, they may break.
Pros
- Dishwasher and microwave safe
- Different sizes: 1 oz, 2 oz, 4 oz, 6 oz, 10 oz, 16 oz, 1½ qt, 2½ qt, 3½ qt, and 4½ qt
- Won’t absorb any colors or smells
- Versatile and compact
Cons
- Can break if dropped
What to look for in a mixing bowl
You’ve seen some of the top selling mixing bowls on the market today and as you can see, there is quite a variety of styles, sizes, and other features. How do you find one that is right for you? Here are a few things to consider.
Size
The best option is to choose a range of sizes. The smallest bowls hold a cup or less, which is the perfect size for beating an egg. And then larger bowls of up to 7 quarts can be used for mixing baking ingredients or for carrying out the wide variety of kitchen tasks you can think of. Even larger bowls can fit quite well into your kitchen repertoire. It all depends on your cooking and baking needs.
Material
There are many materials to choose from when it comes to mixing bowls. Here are some of the most popular.
Glass has many benefits. It is non-reactive, which means it will not affect the texture, color, or taste of your food. Glass is microwaveable. Some tempered glass bowls can also be heated in an oven or put in a freezer. In addition, some glass bowls have measurement markings. However, if dropped, glass, and even tempered glass, can break into little pieces.
Metal bowls are often used in restaurants. They are inexpensive, durable, versatile, and some can be used as a double boiler (nesting it inside a sauce pan without reaching the bottom). People with limited mobility like them because they are light weight. However, metal bowls get hot very easily and can sometimes give your food a metallic taste. If you want to buy metal, look for a bowl that is stainless steel because it does not react with food the way aluminum can.
Ceramic bowls are decorative and pretty. They are attractive enough to use as serving bowls, heavy enough to be very stable on your counter, and sometimes are oven- or microwave-safe. However, ceramic can chip and break easily. If you are looking to buy ceramic, consider the high-fired variety, which is quite durable compared to earthenware ceramic.
Copper bowls are beautiful, and are great to beat egg whites in because the copper will help stabilize the mixture. However, they are expensive. If you’re interested in copper, consider buying just a small bowl for beating egg whites in.
Plastic bowls are inexpensive, light weight, and they hardly ever break, so they are great for travel. Many come with lids. However, some plastic bowls can melt if heated, and some can absorb odors or stain.
Wood, cork, or bamboo bowls look warm, natural, and beautiful, and they are great for making and serving salads. Over time, the wood becomes seasoned and makes salad more flavorful. However, they are not smooth enough for mixing batter or dough. If you’re buying wood, choose a size that works for a salad, and purchase some olive oil to rub on it if it is looking dry.
Silicone bowls are a hot new trend. They are non-stick, collapsible, hard to destroy, temperature-proof, and easy to clean. They are safe in the microwave and dishwasher. They are also flexible and you can pinch them to make a spout when pouring things. However, they can absorb odors, and some people do not like the soft, rubbery texture of silicone.
Shape
Should you choose a deep or shallow bowl? That depends on what you will be using it for most often. Deep bowls appeal to bakers because it is easier to mix batter without making a mess. Shallow, wide bowls are good for marinating meats or whisking vinaigrettes.
Heat-capable
You might want to buy a mixing bowl that can sit on a pot of simmering water. This is what you’ll need to do if you are making Hollandaise, melting chocolate, and any number of cooking-related tasks. Some people even put their bowl directly over a low flame so if this is what you want to do, you need to make sure it will handle the heat. Also consider buying a bowl that is microwave-safe. Did you know that most modern microwaves can tolerate metal bowls?
Price
You generally want to look for a more affordable mixing bowl. After all, most mixing bowls are not meant to be on display. It just needs to be functional.
Ease of cleaning
Last but not least, purchase a durable bowl that is easy to clean. It needs to be dishwasher safe, and dent-, scratch-, stain-, and odor-resistant.
With these considerations in mind, and having reviewed some of the most popular mixing bowls on the market today, you are sure to find the one that suits your needs and budget. Enjoy shopping!