A good set of stainless-steel flatware is one of first things you buy for your kitchen, and most people rarely, if ever, replace it. But let's say you're about to move into your first real kitchen, or you've finally had it with the desperation forks you bought at Ikea 20 years ago. How much are you going to spend on your flatware? The prices of a standard four-person flatware set with five-piece place settings (dinner fork, salad fork, soup spoon, dinner knife, teaspoon) start at $8 (the price of Ikea's ubiqutious Förnuft set) and climb to a couple hundred. So how much should you spend to ensure you're getting a long-lasting set that can be served to your family and dinner guests alike? You need some shopping criteria and a few good examples to help you decide.
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Chromium and nickel percentages
Most flatware is made from a composite steel material; chromium and nickel are usually the main ingredients. When determining a set of flatware's quality, you'll want to look at the chromium and nickel percentages, the latter of which adds luster and provides resistance to corrosion. Stainless steel flatware sets are labeled with one of three ratios indicating the amount of chromium and nickel: 18/10, 18/8, or 18/0. The highest quality is 18/10 (18% chromium, 10% nickel), and the lowest is 18/0, which has a negligible amount of nickel and is thus more prone to rust.
Is it forged or stamped?
There are two primary ways of turning stainless steel into cutlery: forging or stamping. Forged flatware is made from a thick piece of stainless steel that's heated and cut to form each utensil. Stamped flatware is cut like a stamp out of a piece of stainless steel. Because of the heating process, forged flatware is stronger than stamped flatware, which is more flexible. You shouldn't necessarily only buy forged flatware, but the difference (especially for knives) is something to take into consideration.
Versatility
Finally, you should buy silverware that can be used in a variety of dining situations. My own mother used to bring out a chest of fancy silverware when guests came over (I remember because I had to hand-wash and immediately towel-dry them after the party), but she hasn't gotten it out for dinner parties in the last 10 years. Instead, she relies on one dishwasher-safe set that suits all occasions.
Below are a few 20-piece stainless-steel flatware sets judged according to the above factors. Unless otherwise noted, each place setting includes a dinner fork, salad fork, soup spoon, dinner knife, and a teaspoon.
Fortessa Spada Brushed Flatware Set
We like the clean lines of this Fortessa 18/10 flatware set. We're unable to confirm if it's forged or stamped, but it's well-made and has a brushed finish. Each five-piece setting costs $28, making it an extremely affordable set. We've found that if you go below that price point, you risk compromising quality.
For more information, please visit Mid-Range Stainless Steel Cutlery Sets.
Crate & Barrel Clark Mirror Set
This 20-piece set is made from 18/10 forged stainless steel, so it passes our quality test. It has a mirror finish that gives it enough shine to work for formal parties, but a minimalist design that fits in at casual dinners. It's dishwasher-safe and has a 25-year warranty. The $160 price tag boils down to $40 per setting.
Aston Flatware Place Setting
Like the Crate & Barrel set, this flatware from Williams Sonoma is made from 18/10 stainless steel. The knives are forged from hardened steel, and each piece is hand-polished. The Aston has a more traditional look than the sets above, with raised bands and curves. It's slightly more expensive than the other sets, but we think it's an investment piece that's worth the money&#;especially if you're looking for a more classic style of flatware.
Oneida Sheraton Fine Flatware Set
Oneida has been making flatware since and has a solid reputation as a high-quality, classic utensil brand. Their Sheraton set perfectly embodies this, with its etched, teardrop-shaped handles and weighty feel. It comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
Mepra Fantasia Color Flatware
Striving for 18/10 stainless-steel flatware doesn't mean you can't opt for a fun, colorful set. Mepra's cheery Fantasia flatware comes in a variety of colored enamel handles.
Zwilling Polished Opus
Maybe your current flatware set contains knives that aren't fit for anything but butter. Consider replacing it with this Zwilling set: The knives are forged for precise sharpness. Every piece is, of course, 18/10 stainless steel. At $168 for a 45-piece set, the Zwilling Opus line gets you serious bang for your buck (and, as a bonus, it's currently on sale).
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Round Handle Stainless Steel Cutlery Sets.
Cambridge Silversmiths Julie Satin
TeaspoonThe classic teaspoon is part of most traditional place settings. It is used for a wide variety of items, from coffee and tea to desserts, cereal, and soup. It is what most people envision when they think of a spoon.Dessert SpoonA dessert spoon is similar in size and shape to a soup spoon (often larger than a teaspoon, too). It has a wide, deep, oval-shaped bowl.TablespoonA tablespoon resembles a traditional teaspoon in shape but is much larger. Tablespoons are mainly used as serving utensils for bowls placed in the middle of the table.Soup SpoonA soup spoon has a wider and deeper oval-shaped bowl than a tablespoon, so it can hold more liquid. It has a similar overall shape.Demitasse SpoonA demitasse spoon is similar in shape to a standard teaspoon but generally has a longer handle and a slightly smaller bowl. It is designed to stir coffee drinks served in small quantities, such as espresso or cappuccino.Bouillon SpoonA bouillon spoon is another type of soup spoon. Bouillon spoons are generally smaller than a regular soup spoon and have a round bowl.Iced Tea Spoon / Soda SpoonThis spoon generally has a long, thin handle and a small, oval-shaped bowl. It's great for stirring tall drinks, milkshakes, and root beer floats.Grapefruit Spoon / Citrus SpoonA grapefruit spoon is similar in design to a teaspoon but features an elongated bowl and a rigid serrated edge to easily separate the fruit from the rind. This spoon can also be used for other fruits such as oranges and melons.Dinner ForkThe all-purpose dinner fork is part of almost all traditional place settings. It is usually used for the main course. In many casual or quick-serve restaurants, this may be the only fork used. Most dinner forks have four tines, but some only have three, depending on the pattern.Cocktail / Oyster ForkThis small fork is suitable for small appetizers like cheese cubes, olives, and oysters.Dessert ForkA dessert fork and a salad fork are sometimes used interchangeably, even though true dessert forks are slightly smaller and thinner than salad forks. It is mainly used for eating desserts like cake or pie.Salad ForkA salad fork is smaller than a traditional dinner fork and is most often used for eating salads or smaller items such as sliced fruit. It may also be used as a dessert fork, even though a true dessert fork is even smaller and more thinly built.European Dinner ForkA European dinner fork is generally larger and heavier than a traditional dinner fork. It is usually used during formal occasions and can be found in many higher-end restaurants.Snail ForkA snail fork traditionally features two long, pointed tines and is used to gently pry the meat from the snail shell. European Dinner Knife A European dinner knife is nearly a third larger and heavier than a traditional dinner knife. It is most often used in formal occasions and is found in many higher-end restaurants.Dinner KnifeA dinner knife traditionally has a rounded tip and slightly longer blade than the butter knife. It is used for cutting slightly rougher foods such as vegetables and soft meats and is one of the more common pieces of flatware on the dinner table.Butter KnifeA butter knife typically has a dull edge with a rounded point. This design makes it suitable for spreading jam or butter onto soft foods like rolls, muffins, or toast.
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