Cutlery Set - Analysis and Buying Guide - 2023
Most people don't think about cutlery until they need it, but a good set of cutlery is just as important as a decent set of crockery or glassware. Navigating the realms of soup spoons, hostess games, and nickel content can be puzzling to the uninitiated. If you feel like you could just pack everything up and eat with your hands from now on, Real Indian is here to help!
At Real Indian we are dedicated to helping you find the best products. We test items in our labs, consult with existing customers, talk to experts, and do extensive research. What we never do is accept gifts from manufacturers — we always buy straight off the shelves, just like you. The result: fair, comprehensive, and unbiased reviews that will help you make the toughest buying decisions. Then, when you're ready to shop, you'll find our five favorite cutlery sets in the product list above.
What is Included in a Cutlery Set?
A traditional cutlery set contained seven pieces for each place setting, but modern sets tend to contain five or fewer.
This is what you would get in a traditional cutlery set:
- Dinner Knife
- Dinner Fork
- Soup Spoon
- Salad/Dessert Fork
- Salad and Dessert Knife
- Dessert Spoon
Of these seven, most modern flatware sets contain only the knife, fork, salad fork, soup spoon, and teaspoon. Some modern cutlery sets only contain three or four pieces per set, ditching the salad fork and/or soup spoon.
Materials for the Cutlery Set
This guide focuses on stainless steel cutlery as it is by far the most popular contemporary choice. However, let's take a quick look at the available options.
- Silver
Although much less common today, especially for its price, silver flatware (or "silver flatware") is an elegant option for a formal dinner.
- Silver Plate
Silver flatware looks similar to silver flatware, but is significantly cheaper as there is only a thin layer of silver on top of a cheaper metal such as nickel.
- Stainless Steel
Most modern flatware is made from stainless steel, but not all stainless steel flatware is created equal. It must be marked with 18/10, 18/8 or 18/0. The first number is the percentage of chrome in the cutlery, and the second number is the percentage of nickel. The higher the percentage of nickel, the more resistant the cutlery is to corrosion.
Considerations for Selecting a Cutlery Set
- Weight
Weight is a huge divider in the world of cutlery. Some people love a heavy, sturdy construction for their cutlery, while others prefer lightweight pieces.
If you're not sure of your preference, it's worth trying out different options before you buy.
- Number of Place Settings
The configuration of the places equals the number of each different piece of cutlery included in the set.
Most sets contain four, eight, or twelve positions. The number of positions you need depends on your individual circumstances.
A household of one or two people might be happy with four places, while a family of six would need at least eight, unless they want to dine in two places.
- Construction
Some cutlery is forged, meaning it's made from a single piece of metal, heated, and then hammered into shape (usually by a machine, although traditionally this would have been done by hand).
Other pieces are stamped, which means...they are cut from a sheet of metal, a bit like cutting a cookie with a cookie cutter.
Finally, you can find cutlery with hollow handles, made in a three-piece design.
- Finish
Consider what type of finish you would like your cutlery set to have.
Some flatware has a glossy and mirrored finish, some is completely matte, and the rest fall somewhere in between.
Again, this is a choice largely based on personal preference, so go with the one you like best.
- Design
Flatware sets are available in a range of designs, from rustic or traditional to sleek and modern.
Some cutlery has decorative bands or other types of patterns etched into the handles, while other pieces are more plain.
Tips
As a general rule, the higher the nickel content, the brighter your cutlery will be — so an 18/10 set will be much brighter than an 18/0 set.
Do not leave your cutlery soaking in water for long periods of time as this can cause corrosion over the years.
Acidic foods and liquids can gradually corrode your cutlery. This doesn't mean you should avoid vinegar and tomatoes, just try not to leave dirty cutlery for days, covered in food.
To avoid streaks and water marks, dry cutlery as soon as possible after washing.
If you want your serving utensils to match your flatware set, think about what utensils you want — options include pie servers, soup ladles, cheese knives, and serving forks — and check to see if there are pieces that match the model. cutlery you've chosen.
If you want matching serving utensils, it's best to look for a cutlery set that comes with a hostess set included.
If you like heavy cutlery, forged pieces tend to be the heaviest, followed by stamped, and finally hollow-handled.
FAQ
Que. What is a Hostess Set?
Ans. A hostess set is the name given to a collection of cutlery that sometimes comes with a cutlery set. A five-piece hostess set typically includes a spoon, slotted spoon, butter knife, serving fork, and sugar spoon, though this can vary.
Que. What is the Correct Position of Cutlery on the Table?
Ans. Once you have a decent cutlery set, show it off by placing the utensils properly on the table, especially if you have guests over. With a standard five place setting, the dinner fork goes to the left of the plate, the salad fork goes to the left of the fork, the dinner knife goes to the right of the plate, the soup spoon goes to the right of the fork, and (where applicable) the teaspoon goes to the right of the cup and saucer.
Que. Is Stainless Steel Dishwasher Safe?
Ans. Yes, stainless steel dinnerware is dishwasher safe, although it is recommended not to use citrus-based detergents.
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