Kitchen Bowls

Bowls are an essential part of the cook's toolkit; they are available in a huge range of sizes and materials, each variety having qualities suited more to one purpose than another.

Ceramic Bowls

This traditional beige mixing bowl with a white interior is one of the most useful kitchen bowls to have, and is particularly good for making dough. It is deep enough to contain the mixture that is being worked on and wide enough to allow unrestricted mixing action. There is a flat area on the outside of the bowl that can act as a base when the bowl is tilted for creaming or beating.

China Pudding Basins

Pudding basins have a steeper side than mixing bowls; this gives shape and support to the pudding and prevents it from collapsing when it is turned out. The bowl has a tough glazed finish which can withstand the high temperatures of the oven or pressure cooker. However, this basin is not only useful for cooking puddings; it is also excellent for small mixing, whipping and beating tasks, and for storing food in the larder or fridge.

Glass Bowls

Toughened glass bowls are good for all mixing tasks, and as they are heatproof, they are also useful for steaming. They can be bought in sets that fit neatly inside one another for convenient and easy storage.

Plastic Bowls

Although these bowls are virtually unbreakable, care must be taken when using them as they vulnerable to scratching and heat distortion. Bowls with a rubber-ringed base will provide a firmer anchor for mixing and beating jobs.

Stainless-Steel Bowls

The majority of professional kitchens use stainless-steel bowls almost exclusively; they are tough, durable, and their conductivity makes them ideal for foods that need to be heated or cooled over water.

Wooden Bowls

These bowls are perfect for salads; make sure that yours is deep and wide enough to contain the leaves whilst they are being tossed. Wash the bowl immediately after use, using the minimum of detergent. Never soak them or dry them next to direct heat.