Types Of Cutlery

Stainless Steel Cutlery 101: Types Of Cutlery You Need, Their Benefits, and How to Store Them!

A well-equipped kitchen is every home chef's dream. One essential aspect of a functional kitchen is having the right set of cutlery. When we say cutlery, we refer to the utensils used for cutting and eating food. The three primary utensils included in cutlery are spoons, forks, and knives. Different types of cutlery are used for different dishes, whether during preparation or while dining. In this blog, we will explore the various types of cutlery with pictures, their specific uses, and how to keep them looking new for years. 

Different Types of Cutlery Used For Dining

Having the right types of cutlery makes it easier to have certain foods like soup, fish, or pasta and, enhances the dining experience for all at the dining table. 

• Spoon

A spoon is a utensil with a long handle and an elongated, rounded bowl used to hold food. The depth and size of the spoon can vary based on the type of spoon it is. Some of the most common types of spoons and cutlery you will encounter at a fine dining restaurant are the ones mentioned below.

• Teaspoon

A teaspoon is used to scoop sugar and stir beverages such as tea or coffee. It is slightly larger than a dessert spoon to reach into the cups and stir them properly.
 

• Dinner Spoon

A dinner spoon is one of the most common types of cutlery found in homes. It has a deep bowl that is slightly elongated. It is also known as the tablespoon and is used to eat the main course. 

• Dessert Spoon

A dessert spoon is slightly bigger than a teaspoon and smaller than a dinner spoon. It is used to eat desserts, cut into cakes, puddings, etc. 

• Soup Spoon

This spoon features a rounder, deeper bowl than a dinner spoon and is designed specifically for sipping soups, broths, and stews. Its shape holds more liquid, allowing for neater, more comfortable consumption of hot foods.

• Serving Spoon

Larger than a standard spoon, the serving spoon is used for portioning out food during meals. It’s ideal for dishes like curries, rice, or sautéed vegetables when serving from a shared bowl or platter.

• Sugar Spoon

A smaller spoon with a short handle and a deep, rounded bowl. Sugar spoons are used to scoop sugar from a bowl and are often seen on coffee or tea trays.

• Slotted Spoon

Designed with slots or holes, this spoon helps drain liquids while serving solid foods like poached vegetables, boiled items, or even pasta.

• Fork

The different types of forks are distinguished based on the number of prongs and the fork's size. A standard fork has three or four prongs and is mostly used to eat noodles, rice, and more. A dessert fork may have two or more prongs. You can even find forks with more than 5 prongs.
One of the most commonly used types of cutlery on an Indian dining table is a dinner fork. It is the same size as a dinner spoon and comes with 4 prongs to easily pick up main course food items like rice, meat, noodles, and more.

• Dessert Fork

Smaller than a dinner fork, the dessert fork is used for consuming cakes, pastries, and other sweet items. It often features a broader left tine to aid in cutting softer desserts.

• Salad Fork

Slightly shorter and wider than a dinner fork, the salad fork is designed for eating leafy greens, fruits, or cold starters. Its wider tines help spear bulkier salad components.

• Seafood Fork

Also known as a cocktail fork, this small, narrow fork usually has two or three tines and is perfect for handling shellfish or small appetisers like olives and pickles.

• Fruit Fork

Used for eating cut fruit, this fork is smaller in size and has slender tines that make it easier to pick up delicate or juicy fruit without squishing them.

 

• Knife

A knife is one of the most common types of cutlery with various uses based on its shape, sharpness, build, and size. Each knife is designed to perform a particular task; choosing the right knife makes it easier to carry out that task. Each knife has a different name, much like all cutlery names. For example, a butter knife. 
Out of all types of cutlery, a butter knife is the easiest to identify. It has a dull edge with a rounded tip to avoid scraping the bread. Sometimes a butter knife may even be flat with a slightly sharp tip to easily cut into cold butter.

• Dinner Knife

This is the most commonly used knife at the dining table. It has a slightly serrated edge, ideal for cutting soft vegetables, tender meat, and spreading butter or condiments.

• Steak Knife

A sharper and more pointed knife with a serrated edge, the steak knife is designed for cutting through tougher cuts of meat like steaks or chops. It is typically placed to the right of the dinner plate.

• Cheese Knife

Characterised by its curved blade and forked tip, the cheese knife helps slice soft and hard cheeses cleanly and is often used during cheese courses or appetiser platters.

• Paring Knife

Though technically more of a prep tool than tableware, paring knives are often used during informal dining or buffet setups. It is ideal for peeling, coring, or cutting small fruits and vegetables.

Benefits of Stainless Steel Cutlery

Different types of cutlery materials are suitable for different occasions. However, when we consider cutlery for daily use, stainless steel is the most durable and long-lasting option. Here are some advantages of having stainless steel cutlery. 

• Rust-Proof

All types of cutlery made with stainless steel are extremely rust-resistant. Stainless steel cutlery contains a certain amount of chromium and nickel. These two materials prevent the staining and rusting of the metal. 

• Retains Sharpness

Unlike other materials, stainless steel is much easier to sharpen. The various types of cutlery knives are also known to retain their sharpness for years, even after daily use. Any basic knife sharpener can sharpen the knife to return its razor-sharpness if it becomes dull. 

• Elegant Finish

Silver cutlery is also popular among households because it is elegant, sleek, and luxurious. However, it cannot be used every day; only meant to be brought out on special occasions. That is when stainless steel cutlery comes to the rescue. Stainless steel cutlery can be found in a range of designs and finishes. They are elegant, modern, glossy, and durable. Perfect for impressing guests and family alike. 

• Affordable

Stainless steel is a popular choice because of its highly affordable price. It delivers an impressive performance, lasts long and looks good at a price that fits all budgets. 

• Eco-Friendly

Customers actively seek eco-friendly, sustainable alternatives that are good for their health and the planet. It is also the reason why people have made a shift from using disposable cutlery to stainless steel. 

How to Store Stainless Steel Cutlery?

If you want your cutlery to last even longer, there are some storage practices you should abide by to help it stay new for decades.
→ When storing different types of cutlery, always store them separately in different compartments. They should be kept in a separate drawer from other utensils since knocking into them can damage the cutlery. 
→ Knives should be kept aside from other types of cutlery, like spoons or forks, since their edges can dull due to continuous friction. The sharp edges should be kept face down. 
→ Wrap each cutlery in a soft cloth and store it if you do not plan to use it for a while. The cloth will help protect the stainless steel from any corrosion or damage. 
→ Do not store stainless steel cutlery in constant sunlight since it might damage the material. Store away in a cool and dark place, like a drawer. 

Conclusion

The types of cutlery mentioned in the blog are just a few common utensils used at a dinner table. There are various other types of spoons and forks used at fine-dining restaurants that demand a dining etiquette to be followed when setting the table. Correct knowledge of the different types of cutlery is the first step toward accurate table etiquette. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the different types of cutlery metal?

Stainless steel is the most common cutlery material used in Indian homes. Some other common cutlery materials are silver, disposable, and polycarbonate. 

2. What is the most common cutlery?

In India, spoons and knives are more commonly used. In Western countries, forks and knives are the norm. In Asian countries, chopsticks and spoons are more in use. 

3. What is a standard cutlery set?

A basic cutlery set consists of dinner spoons, forks, and knives, dessert spoons and forks, soup spoons and teaspoons.