Best Mixing Bowls for Your Productive Kitchen
If you cook at all, you need mixing bowls. That’s right; we said bowls, plural. One is simply not enough to cover all the things you need them for.
Trust us:
Mixing bowls serve a variety of functions in the kitchen.
Whether you’re mixing a salad, marinating meat, prepping your mise en place, or whipping up some pancake batter, mixing bowls make your life much easier.
While these bowls come in a variety of materials, we are particular fans of stainless steel bowls.
This material is also the choice of restaurants around the world.
Why?
They are inexpensive, versatile, and ultra-durable. Cooking with stainless steel is great because the material is corrosion-resistant, doesn’t stain, doesn’t chip, and won’t hold on to odors the way other materials will.
They are also the most environmentally friendly and safer option on the market. Stainless steel cookware is just safer, plus avoiding plastic is never a bad thing, in our opinion.
This sounds appealing to us!
If you are in the market to upgrade from your cheap plastic products or are tired of trying to whisk eggs in a soup bowl or pot, take a look at our reviews of the ten best stainless steel mixing bowls on the market today.
Whether you’re looking for one or a multi-piece set, small or large stainless steel bowls, we’ve got some great options that are sure to make your cooking experience better.
Our Top 5 Picks
| # | Model | Number of Items | Non-slip Bottom | Lids | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Finedine Premium Bowl Set
| 6 | No | No | |
| 2. | Bellemain Mixing Bowls with Lids
| 4 | Yes | Yes | |
| 3. | Fitzroy and Fox Mixing Bowl Set
| 3 | Yes | Yes | |
| 4. | Cuisinart CTG-00-SMB
| 3 | No | Yes | |
| 5. | AVACRAFT 18/10 Mixing Bowls
| 3 | Yes | Yes |
Types
Material
Stainless-Steel
These are the type of bowl most people gravitate towards. They are made out of 100% stainless steel.
They are lightweight, durable, and easy to clean. In fact, if used correctly they are as non-stick as their pan counterparts.
They also have a classic look that many people appreciate.
Stainless Steel with Silicone
This is a more modern variation of the mixing bowl. Silicone, whether used on the bottom of the bowl or in the lid, offers several benefits.
It is temperature-resistant, prevents slippage, and doesn’t dent or ding.
It can also provide a fun dose of color to your otherwise standard metal bowls.
Dimensions
Not all mixing bowls are made the same. Some are more wide or narrow. Others are shallower or deeper.
Then there is the size. You can find some small enough to mix spices and large enough to make large salads or marinate meat.
Our Top Picks
Finedine Premium Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls - Set of 6
They have been ergonomically designed to facilitate all your prepping needs. This bowl has been thought about by Finedine, and you can see that shine through when looking at the product.
- Available in 5-piece or 6-piece options
- The wide rolled rims allow for a solid grip and drip-free pouring
- Flat bases provide balance and stability
- Capacity marked outside bowls for easy identification
- Dishwasher safe
- On the thinner side
- The packaging is inconsistent - some items arrive damaged
Bellemain Mixing Bowls; Non-Slip Stainless Steel with Lids, Set of 4
This feature sets it apart as we have all had that ‘oops’ moment when the mix you are preparing slips off the side and splats all over the kitchen floor.
They double as measuring cups, so you never wonder how much is in the bowl. These bowls will last you a lifetime.
- Measurements are etched on the inside of the bowl
- No-slip silicone coating on the bottom of the bowls
- Bowls are precisely balanced and sloped to prevent wobbling and tipping
- The lids are airtight and BPA-free
- Freezer-, oven-, and dishwasher-safe
- Lids warp with use
- Insides scratch easily
Fitzroy and Fox Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls with Lids - Set of 3
The design features a rolled lip to facilitate pouring without the need for a bulky handle.
They are polished to a fingerprint-resistant brushed finish on the outside and a gorgeous mirror finish on the inside.
These bowls are heat-tolerant up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that they are safe to use as a double boiler when melting chocolate for baking or to keep things warm in the oven.
- Non-slip silicone bottoms
- Everything is non-toxic and BPA-free
- Heat-tolerant up to 250 degrees
- Volume measurements are etched on the inside
- Dishwasher safe
- Lids don't fit well
- Insides scratch easily
KitchenAid Stainless Steel Bowl K45SBWH, 4.5-Quart
While this model is technically intended to be used with the KitchenAid Mixer, this bowl functions perfectly well on its own. So no need to invest in both if you don’t need to for your desired use.
It has a handy stand at the bottom to provide extra stability and a handle to improve your grip.
- 100% stainless steel
- 4.5-quart capacity
- Convenient stand and handle for extra stability
- Fits the KitchenAid mixer or can be used on its own
- The handle is uncomfortable for some
Cuisinart CTG-00-SMB Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls with Lids - Set of 3
They are sturdy enough to stand up to the rigors of daily use. They are solid enough not to feel cheap but not too heavy to lift for mixing.
- Sturdy without being heavy
- Convenient variety of sizes
- Dishwasher-, refrigerator-, and freezer-safe
- Lids are made of plastic
- Tend to rust with use
Factors to Consider When Choosing Mixing Bowls
Weight
Different manufacturers produce their products with varying amounts of steel.
This variation results in similar products being the same size, but having different weights.
Some people prefer heavier bowls that can withstand more abuse. Others want their bowls to be as lightweight as possible.
That depends on the user:
If weight is an important factor for you, check the product specifications for the items you are considering.
If possible, it’s also a good idea to visit a physical store to handle the bowls and see how comfortable you feel with their weight.
Dimensions
Deeper bowls are preferable for making stirring batter, hydrating dough, tossing salads, etc.
Shallower, wider bowls are preferable for whisking, marinating, and meal prepping.
Think about your needs:
You should choose your mixing bowls based on your intended use. This way, you will avoid frequent frustration.
Are the Best Mixing Bowls Dishwasher-Safe?
Most bowls are labeled as “dishwasher-safe.” That being said, it is always a good idea to hand wash them if you can.
This will help preserve their look and reduce the chances of rust appearing on inexpensive models.
Even though this is only a cosmetic issue, it would put us off eating whatever is being produced.
Listen to this:
Regardless of manufacturer instructions, lids should never be put in the dishwasher.
No matter how low you set the wash temperature, the lids will eventually warp or possibly shrink when exposed to high heat.
Variety of Sizes
If you are in the market for a single bowl, you probably already have an idea of what size you need.
However, if you are looking for a set, size, or rather, sizes, are still important.
Again, think about needs:
If you plan to use your bowls mostly for food prep, you will want smaller options.
If you plan to use them for mixing batters, making salads, or marinating meat, you will want larger sizes.
If you plan to use them for all of these things, you will want some of each.
Quantity
If you don’t cook much or are just looking to replace a lost or damaged bowl, a single item should be sufficient.
If you are looking to outfit your kitchen or engage in a variety of cooking activities, you will want several.
Those who are unsure of your needs would probably do best to start with a 3-piece set.
From there, you can figure out what you wish you had available and add to your collection.
Frequent cookers will benefit the most from a large set of bowls.
Lids or No Lids?
Lids sound like a great addition, and they are, in theory.
They keep food fresher for longer and allow you to store bowls in the refrigerator or freezer without fear of spillage or frostbite.
The problem is that many lids are not made well and do not stand up to extended use.
Even the best-made lids that fit snugly when they are new will shrink, expand, or warp with time.
This is particularly true if you put them in the freezer or dishwasher.
Such extreme changes in temperature tend to damage the lids.
If you do decide to purchase mixing bowls with lids, make sure to select options that are BPA-free.
BPA is an industrial chemical used to make certain plastics and resins.
While research does suggest that there may be a relationship between BPA exposure and a variety of ailments, definitive links have yet to be established. We feel that it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Best Mixing Bowl Features
Non-Slip Bottom
This functional addition to some models makes the risk of your bowl accidentally flying across a slick counter a non-issue.
Plus, the silicone base makes it easier to grip the bowl as you mix, whisk, or otherwise put some muscle into whatever you are making.
The only downside to having these bottoms is that you can’t use your bowls as a double boiler.
Unless you are always baking, this probably won’t affect you much.
Measurement Indicators
Measurement indicators are a nifty addition to any cooking item.
They are particularly useful in mixing bowls, though, because they allow you to measure what you are preparing as you prepare it.
Nestable
One of the best features of stainless steel mixing bowls is how easy they are to store and how little space they take up.
Most bowls and just about every set on the market are “nestable,” meaning that you can stack multiple items together to reduce storage space.
Since these bowls are so lightweight, nesting many together won’t significantly increase the weight of the group.
So you could even put them on that dodgy shelf you built last time you needed to fix a DIY craving.
Lids
These days, many mixing bowls come with lids. As we have discussed above, lids are a great idea in theory but often don’t work out so well in reality.
If you are someone who stores a lot of food in the refrigerator, though, it might be worth the risk to invest in a set of bowls with lids.
The best-case scenario is that the lids will work as they have been designed to.
The worst-case scenario is that they will fall short of expectations, and you’ll have to go back to covering your bowl with saran wrap or a plate.
History of Mixing Bowls
Mixing bowls, in general, have been around for hundreds, if not thousands of years.
A certain type of famous ceramic mixing bowl has been made by the same English pottery company for over 100 years.
Stainless steel, however, is a much younger creation. Invented in 1913 by Henry Brearley, but it wasn’t applied to kitchen equipment, until much later.
How to Get the Most out of your Mixing Bowls
How to Clean
Stainless steel mixing bowls are incredibly easy to clean. Many people consider this one of the main benefits of using them.
Most of the time, you should be able to clean your bowls with a few swipes of the sponge and some soapy water.
It may take a little elbow grease to get tougher mixes off the sides though.
For those more stubborn stains and food deposits, a warm soak or some vinegar should remove stains.
While it technically focuses on cleaning stainless steel appliances, the advice works just as well for any item made of stainless steel such as a stainless steel frying pan.
How to Choose the Right Number of Bowls
In general, we feel that “the more, the merrier” applies when it comes to mixing bowls.
They make life so much easier and take up relatively little storage space.
Therefore, unless you are on a very tight budget, there’s no reason only have one.
If you have a family or cook a lot, five bowls of varying sizes is a good place to start.
If you realize down the line that you need more or a particular size, you can always add to your collection.
Small families, couples, and individuals might be able to make do with a 3-piece set.
People on very tight budgets can try to manage with a single large bowl, but they will very likely end up washing it multiple times during meal preparation, which quickly gets frustrating.
How to Use One as a Double Boiler
The double boiler is one of those pieces of kitchen equipment that most people rarely need until they do.
It is used for cooking delicate ingredients that can’t handle direct heat, such as melting chocolate.
Luckily, there is no need to invest in yet another piece of specialized kitchen equipment because you can use your stainless steel mixing bowls!
You can definitely add these bowls to your collection of stainless steel cookware. Who knew, right?
All you need is a pot or pan, a slightly larger metal bowl, and follow the video below so that you can prepare ingredients for desserts and save anywhere from$30-$200!
Best Mixing Bowl Brands
When it comes to the most popular brands, the results are mixed, pun intended.
Some are household names in the kitchen equipment world, such as Cuisinart and KitchenAid.
Others are less well-known but with extremely popular products, such as Bellemain.
Cuisinart came to fame through its food processor and they have a rich history in culinary equipment dating back to 1971.
Founded by Carl Sontheimer the company has expanded dramatically since its beginnings and is now a key player in the kitchen product market.
They make some of the best mixing bowls you can buy, so it’s worth checking out there full range.
KitchenAid have their roots in kitchen mixers with the first product they ever released coming out around a century ago.
They are well known both at home and overseas and continue to deliver top quality product to cooks and chefs alike.
Bellemain is a company that falls somewhere in between.
Based in New York, this company makes “quality tools for discerning cooks.”
They fuse market research on what is popular with their research and designs to bring you the ultimate in function, style, and consumer appeal.
Their stand-out offering in the mixing bowl arena is the Bellemain Stainless Steel Non-Slip Mixing Bowls with Lids, 4 Piece Set. It offers quality, durability, and value all in one set of bowls.
FAQs
Q: Which is better? Pure stainless steel or bowls with silicone?
A: This is a personal choice. Silicone has a host of advantages – it’s temperature-proof, nonstick, easy to clean, and virtually indestructible.
Not everyone likes the rubbery texture of silicone, though.
Plus, silicone can retain the odors of pungent foods. Also, you can’t use your bowl as a double boiler if it has a silicone bottom.
Q: Are stainless steel bowls heat-proof?
A: Yes, up to a point. Stainless steel as a material can withstand high levels of heat.
However, how much heat each bowl can handle depends on its particular construction material and thickness.
Be sure to check out what oil to season stainless steel with if you got this route.
Q: Can you use a mixer in a stainless steel bowl?
A: Yes, you can. Just be aware of two things.
One: the mixer will very likely leave scratches on the inside of your bowl. Most people don’t purchase their mixing bowls for how the inside looks, so this won’t be a problem if you use a hand or good stand mixer.
It’s worth mentioning, in case this is important to you. Be sure to use good stainless steel utensils to complement your bowls.
Two: unless you are planning to purchase a bowl that has been specifically designed for such use, you will need to be very careful about holding the bowl in place while you mix.
A silicone bottom can help hold it in place, though.
Top commercial stand mixers use larger bowls and have brackets that help old the bowls in place.
Otherwise, there is a good chance that it will tilt or slide as you hit the side of the bowl. This could result in a huge mess if you are not careful.
The Verdict
Mixing bowls are an invaluable addition to any kitchen.
They come in a variety of styles, sizes, and materials, but we recommend small and large stainless steel mixing bowls.
We strongly believe that stainless steel is the best material choice, and we have selected what we believe to be the ten best stainless steel mixing bowls currently available.
Whether you are looking for a single addition to your well-stocked kitchen or are looking to invest in a multi-bowl set, we’ve selected several high-quality options for you.
If you don’t already have them, you don’t know what you are missing.
Trust us; a good set will make your life so much easier in the kitchen!
