We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culinary

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Lifting Spatula?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 9,203
Share

A lifting spatula is a kitchen tool which is designed to help cooks manipulate food. There are a number of different styles of lifting spatula, ranging from slender cake spatulas to wide, sturdy slotted spatulas which are designed for grilling. Many kitchen supply stores sell a wide assortment of spatulas, including lifting spatulas in several basic designs. These versatile and extremely useful kitchen tools make great gifts for people who are moving into new homes or establishing a kitchen from scratch.

As the name suggests, lifting spatulas are intended to facilitate lifting. They are usually flat, so that cooks can slide the spatula under the food in question, and they have reinforced handles so that cooks can lift food confidently or wedge the spatula into something without being concerned about breakage. Materials like metal and silicone are commonly used in lifting spatulas, since these materials are heat resistant; handles can be made from silicone, plastic, or wood so that they remain cool to the touch.

Handle variations for lifting spatulas vary. In many cases, a lifting spatula will have an offset handle to provide more leverage. A flattened angle can work on large surfaces like grills, while angled handles are extremely useful in close quarters, like pans of lasagna and other baked foods. A good lifting spatula will have a solid handle which is sturdily connected, as few things are as inconvenient as breaking a spatula while serving food.

The body of a lifting spatula can be wide, narrow, solid, or perforated. Obviously, the more narrow a lifting spatula is, the less sturdy it will be, but slender spatulas can be used to serve small wedges of cake, or to slip into corners where a larger spatula won't fit. They also work well, incidentally, for frosting cakes evenly. A perforated spatula can allow grease to drain while food is lifted, which is convenient when frying or frilling. In some cases a lifting spatula may be slotted, to facilitate even faster drainage. Solid lifting spatulas can be used in a variety of ways, from flipping pancakes to wedging a piece of sheet cake out of a pan.

You don't need to spend a lot of time picking out a lifting spatula. Try to avoid spatulas which are obviously poorly made, and you may want to steer clear of lifting spatulas with plastic components which might melt if left on the stove. If you're looking at a lifting spatula with a silicone body, flex the body; if white streaks appear, the silicone is of poor quality, and it may break down. Most lifting spatulas are safe for dishwasher use, although you may want to check for seams where food might collect.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-a-lifting-spatula.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.