The 10 Best Mixing Bowl Sets
This wiki has been updated 42 times since it was first published in October of 2015. Whether for professional chefs or casual cooks, we've got all your whisking, folding, and storage needs covered with these mixing bowl sets that come in a range of prices and styles. It doesn't matter if you prefer the clean look of stainless steel, the versatility and stability of glass, or the added volume that copper imparts to beaten eggs, there's something on our list for you. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Pyrex Prepware
2. Cuisinart SMB
3. Nordic Ware Prep N Serve
Editor's Notes
February 28, 2020:
Both casual and professional cooks won't be surprised to see that the Pyrex Prepware remains a top choice, and we've added one other glass option, the Duralex Lys Stackable. These can't rust or dent, but you'll want to treat them with care, anyway. Even though they resist the shattering caused by thermal shock, they become prone to breakage when small chips or cracks occur. You'll want to inspect them from time to time, and it's generally a good idea to avoid subjecting them to rapid temperature changes unnecessarily.
Those who would prefer metal over glass might consider the Cuisinart SMB, a lidded, budget-friendly option, or the All-Clad Silver, a pricier choice without lids. The All-Clad bowls do have handles, however, that allow them to perform well during whipping or beating. We've also kept the FineDine Mirror-Finished; they're not quite as robust as those from the bigger brands, but they're affordably priced for a set of six. But we've removed the Bellemain Stainless Steel, as there are too many issues with the lids not fitting correctly.
As for plastic choices, we've kept the popular Nordic Ware Prep N Serve and the Oxo Good Grips. They're BPA-free and easy to care for, and the fun colors will brighten up any kitchen. We added the Joseph Joseph Nest, as well, a handy stackable option that has a sieve, colander, and measuring cup set. It would make a great gift for those who are just starting to collect kitchen tools, although it may be too much for those who just need mixing bowls and who already have a lot of baking/cooking gear.
Special Honors
Williams Sonoma Copper Just as stylish as they are durable, the Williams Sonoma Copper take their name from the handsome exterior finish, which is coupled with 18/10 stainless steel interiors. The bottoms are flat to keep them from slipping and sliding unnecessarily, and they have convenient BPA-free plastic lids. williams-sonoma.com
Farmhouse Pottery Pantry Bowl Full Set An expensive choice, the Farmhouse Pottery Pantry Bowl Full Set arrives with four bowls, including an extra-large that measures 12 inches by 6 inches. You can put them in the oven, microwave, and dishwasher, but the wheel-thrown stoneware is attractive enough that you may want to display them, instead. farmhousepottery.com
Fiesta Baking Bowl Set The Fiesta Baking Bowl Set is a must-have for fans of this cheery colorful dishware. Thanks to a choice of cool or bright colors, you'll be able to match your existing pieces, but they do more than just look pretty. Each is sturdy and robust, and there are three sizes that make baking or meal prep a breeze. fiestafactorydirect.com
4. Oxo Good Grips
5. Old Dutch Copper Trio
6. KitchenAid Plastic
7. All-Clad Silver
8. Joseph Joseph Nest
9. Duralex Lys Stackable
10. FineDine Mirror-Finished
Don't Knead Dough Without It
But there's one simple tool that sees as much use as any other, if not more.
Cooking is a craft. That means that anyone who can follow directions, monitor times and temperatures, and replicate written techniques exactly can learn how to do it. In addition to technical knowledge and experience, perfecting that craft requires the right tools.
Everyone already knows about the stars of the show in the kitchen. The grill, the saute pans, the deep fryer, the blender — these pull much of the weight while cooking dinner. But there's one simple tool that sees as much use as any other, if not more.
That is the mixing bowl.
Bowls, themselves, are as old as human ingenuity itself. Indeed, Cro-Magnon man sat on a stump in prehistoric Europe, frustrated that he had no vessel from which to sip his vichyssoise (a cold leek and potato soup from the southern part of France) when his eyes rested on the skull of a recently hunted animal, and the soup bowl was born. But even if that's not exactly how it happened — after all, vichyssoise may have been invented in America some time later — it's no doubt that bowls are integral to eating. It just so happens that they're incredibly important in cooking, as well.
Welcome To The Mixer
There are a lot of ways to influence the food we cook. We can roast, broil, or braise large cuts of meat. We can grill-mark chicken breasts, steam beets, grind fresh beef patties, and puree corn and peppers into a spicy coulis. Teams of dedicated cooks can hand-press empanadas or slap out pupusas by the hundreds per hour. Kitchen staff employ all manner of tools to accomplish these tasks, from knives, to peelers, to strainers, and countless others. But the mixing bowl remains one of the most versatile and useful tools in the kitchens.
You can mix up a marinade in one of these bad boys, and then marinate some chops right there in the same container.
Very often used with a whisk or a hand mixer, these culinary champions really can do it all. One of the simplest tasks, one that's learned early on in many schools, is making an emulsion. To make a vinaigrette, a chef places vinegar and a touch of mustard, honey, and salt in — you guessed it — a mixing bowl. Then, the chef slowly pours a quantity of oil, usually grape seed or olive, into the bowl while briskly whipping with a handheld whisk. This causes the two normally unmixable liquids to each split into countless tiny droplets, which then form a temporary suspension in which they occupy the same space. The honey, salt, high-quality oil, and type of vinegar used help to determine the tastiness of your fresh salad dressing.
Another, more complicated emulsion highlights just how useful this simple tool is when making some of the most delicious foods. The well-known hollandaise sauce is made by gently heating egg yolks and vinegar and very carefully whipping hot butter into the mix, resulting in the magical combination of luscious, tart, wholesomeness that is one of the most popular sauces in history. Science tells us it's hard to pack any more flavor into a food that's already made of basically just egg yolk and butter.
The miracle of whipped cream, it's own special mixture of air and liquid, exists thanks to this beautiful tool. Or, you can switch out the cream for egg whites and enjoy a classic meringue. You can mix up a marinade in one of these bad boys, and then marinate some chops right there in the same container. Wrap with plastic and store in the fridge for 2-24 hours, and you have some deliciously brined pork.
In contrast to the aforementioned double-boiler method of heating, use the right bowl to dunk blanched vegetables into an ice bath for their use as crudites or on salads. Are you a fan of fried chicken? You'll be looking for receptacles in which to place flour, egg, and breadcrumbs while dredging your way to crispy, breaded goodness. Or combine a number of mixtures of flour, water, butter, sugar, leavening, and seasonings and unlock an entire world of wonderful pastries.
Speaking of desserts, how about custard? You'll need to break out that boiling water technique one more time for this rich, egg-yolk and sugar delicacy. Even make your own homemade mayonnaise using low-saturated-fat canola oil, diluted egg yolk, and a whole lot of elbow grease. The list really goes on and on.
Not All Bowls Are Created Equal
You'll encounter a few different styles when selecting the right mixing bowl for your needs. Above all, they're differentiated from normal bowls by their size and depth, allowing for all the wonderful techniques outlined above.
Stoneware bowls add a touch of class and elegance on a table.
The next important factor is the material of the unit. Popular in restaurants is the classic stainless-steel type, which is the only one that can be used as a double boiler. Metal sometimes has the drawback of being reactive. This happens when acidic foods interact with molecules in the metal, and it can discolor and alter the flavor of food.
Copper also reacts with some foods, but in a helpful way. Egg whites react with ions in the copper and become more stable when they're whipped. When items containing those ion-enhanced egg whites are baked, their texture is noticeably fluffier and more pleasant than products not prepared in a copper bowl.
To avoid any kind of reactions, there are a lot of great options made of plastic, glass, or even clay that won't react. Plastic is popular because it's easy to clean, durable, and inexpensive. Glass or pyrex construction helps a mixing bowl double as food storage or even a serving bowl in a pinch. Stoneware bowls add a touch of class and elegance on a table.
But in the end, what it's made of isn't nearly as important as what you put into it: food and love.
Melissa Harr is a language-obsessed writer from Chicagoland who holds both a bachelor of arts and master of arts in English. Although she began as a TEFL teacher, earning several teaching certificates and working in both Russia and Vietnam, she moved into freelance writing to satisfy her passion for the written word. She has published full-length courses and books in the realm of arts & crafts and DIY; in fact, most of her non-working time is spent knitting, cleaning, or committing acts of home improvement. Along with an extensive knowledge of tools, home goods, and crafts and organizational supplies, she has ample experience (okay, an obsession) with travel gear, luggage, and the electronics that make modern life more convenient.