Equipment Review: Best Stainless-Steel & Glass Mixing Bowls (Open Stock, Sets) & Our Testing Winners

[@ASilentS]

I wouldn't really expect a glass bowl to survive a tumble off the counter but I'm glad you tested it.

[@madthumbs1564]

Most glass mixing bowls are thick enough to handle that and more. I wish they'd mentioned the brand that failed, because that's pretty bad unless cement, ceramic, brick, stone, etc floor.

[@Shazam999]

mad thumbs The one that shattered were the "Duralex Lys Stackable Clear Bowls". The "Anchor Hocking Mixing Bowls with Red Plastic Lids" also cracked when dropped.

[@iamfuturetrunks]

mad thumbs Yeah thats something iv noticed in their videos even way back in 2011. You would think by now they would show a list of all the ones they tested etc. Instead of they only mention the best one. Well some people would still be curious which ones really didn't do well or broke as easily. To improve their videos they need to start showing a list with positives and negatives about the product to help people out more.

[@seikibrian8641]

iamfuturetrunks "You would think by now they would show a list of all the ones they tested etc." They show the complete list, with rankings, on their Web site. It's a paid subscription, but well worth it in my opinion. The KZbin videos only show part of the what all goes into the tests, but it's free.

[@meridelmoss1802]

+iamfuturetrunks There's a link in the description.

[@quakerwildcat]

I purchased these Volrath bowls based on your recommendations in Cook's Illustrated many years ago (at the time, I had to order them from a restaurant equipment company). I bought a bunch in various sizes and they are one of my favorite kitchen purchases EVER. I had not considered what a different a properly-designed kitchen bowl could make, but I use them EVERY DAY and years later I still marvel at how wonderful they are. Do yourself a favor and buy a bunch of the Volrath stainless bowls.

[@aiai-j7i]

I just bought them and I cannot believe at how cheap the quality is...I am returning them. Maybe they changed over the years?

[@DurzoBlunts]

Vollrath is made in America too!!!

[@benrobinson77]

I've never been so proud to buy the Pyrex set with lids that I bought over 5 years ago, ha! It was an impulse purchase and I didn't really know how great they were.

[@FoodTechLife]

Vollrath Economy Mixing Bowl Set 2014: $14 2023: $26.80 🙃 USA Minimum Wage 2014: $7.25 2023: $7.25

[@annabanabanana]

July 2024: the same bowls are now 42.90 on Amazon. Sickening.

[@alkinboo]

I've been using my set of OXO mixing bowls for about 5 years and I count them as some of the best money I've spent for my kitchen....totaly satisfied.

[@kaylerina]

Every engaged couple who is making a wedding registry needs to watch these videos!

[@SpringismySeason]

I had a Willam Sonoma glass bowl explode when I placed a roasted pepper in it from the oven. I’m just glad a piece didn’t fly in my face. I donated the rest of the set. I’m replacing my SS bowls with the heavy duty Vollrath bowls. I like the open stock so I can get multiple tiny bowls for prepping.

[@HeronCoyote1234]

My partner thoughtfully got All-Clad stainless steel bowls with handles (shaped like a lip, actually)! I have arthritis, and the handles make them a pleasure to use.

[@helpfulnatural]

I love my Pyrex mixing bowls! I also have some treasured heirloom Pyrex bowls handed down from my mother-in-law, the kind that are opaque white glass and painted aqua blue on the outside of the bowl. I also have a cheap set of stainless steel bowls that have nice rims for grasping but they're too tall to use comfortably. They're great for serving popcorn though. :)

[@jakegolding8388]

I actually really like the OXO silicone bottomed mixing bowls. They stay put when I’m mixing cookie dough.

[@bintwang]

I prefer using metal bowls, because if i ever need to melt butter i use a normal cup or a soup plate for that. no need for two types of bowls. takes up space

[@payleryder45]

This is a good observation - the only caveat is that clear glass bowls are better for proofing doughs because you can better perceive the rise through the bowl.

[@lordgarion514]

Not to mention that if you need to just soften butter it's better to nuke it. By the time you get the center soft on a stove a good portion of it will be melted. And you should cover the bowl with plastic wrap when proofing dough. Easy to see the rise. Should always have one small to medium glass bowl.

[@mitchellgass4141]

@@lordgarion514 The right way to soften butter is to take it out of the fridge ahead of time.

[@jabaaronkowalski498]

word. i only go stainless im clumsy and working in a tight space. i just use glass prep bowls for melting butter or a glass measuring cup. much better for saving counter space

[@neiloppa2620]

that's a really smart tip! thanks for sharing : )

[@DCARA06]

Confession time, I love mixing bowls! Funnily I love the collar glass bowls and L sided stainless steel bowls best, I just love the look of them. But also the L shaped bowls and even the collar glass bowls are easier to store.

[@nicolehaley7723]

I'd love to see this test updated

[@Chronically_ChiII]

You are doing gods work to my wallet.

[@pablopolar9034]

I have the ones from Pyrex , and they're so good , you can use your hand mixer , bake in them, put them in the microwave , mix , knead , (it's excelent to make meringue inside em due to their shape ) , mine has almost 20 years and has no scratches . And best of everything, Grease comes off easily from the glass. , Also are so resistant to everything.

[@audrianamichelin8726]

Thank you so much for taking time out to point out simple things to newbies like myself. It's greatly appreciated 💙💚💛🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@Enig_Mata]

Am I the only one here who loves collecting bowls? I have the pyrex set she reviewed and also a couple sturdy stainless steel bowls. I've also got the Duralex set, a cool set from Food network - these are the tall glass bowls, bowls from Emile Henry and a lot of bowls from Mason Cash. I'm crazy about bowls.

[@PANDORACROOME]

PYREX...CHILDHOOD STANDARD!

[@brianfox340]

I would love to have a video for mixing bowls with lids. Lids make the bowls able to do double duty, which is great in my shoebox of an apartment.

[@Kathleentimko]

Thank you very much for this wonderful video....I bake weekly....my German Grandmother's recipes. Appreciate your advice.

[@ArtArtandMoreArt]

Wow! You know, I never gave that much thought. I stumbled onto this and realized that it really does make a difference. The bowls I tend to favor in my kitchen, match what the pros like.

[@LGCblessed]

You guys are awesome! Please keep posting more and more equipment reviews! Thanks : )

[@alexgqh]

This was a great video; you explained every aspect of what you look for in a mixing bowl in a clear and concise way! THANK YOU!! :D

[@ellagreen4336]

Awesome video, thanks, Lisa, your videos are fantastic. I just looked for the set of bowls, and OMG! UK Amazon has no Vollrath at all, and the Pyrex set is listed at £49.50/$84 USD! CRAZY OUCH! I need to shop around, Tesco only has the small bowl, hopefully they will have the other ones in stock soon (or any other store). Keep up the great work, ATK ROCKS! Thanks for the videos.

[@madthumbs1564]

Pyrex around here is much cheaper. Shop around?

[@patricks.7814]

Thank you so much for mentioning the Vollrath bowls. I did not know what she said, as I'm not familiar with that name.

[@LucyVarvatos]

I have the white oxo bowls and I love it.

[@commentsboardreferee7434]

Wow the Pyrex set has gone from $13 to $37... Crazy.

[@Jupe367]

She is good tester. She knows all areas and consider the practical and functional.

[@apeylynn87]

Love me some Pyrex.

[@serendipityshopnyc]

It really depends what you're mixing. I prefer the higher-side metal bowls when trying to mix a big salad or toss diced veggies in olive oil & seasonings before roasting. Keeps the stuff from bouncing out onto the counter or floor. They also take up less sideways room in the fridge when you need to chill something. But I couldn't agree more on the greatness of Pyrex glass bowls. They rock & always have.

[@TheIkaika777]

Too bad Pyrex doesn’t use their old original better glass formula Borosilicate glass and opted for the weaker cheaper soda-lime silicate glass.

[@JAFrk]

Pyrex still does makes glassware from borosilicate....but it's only manufactured in France then sold in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East :/

[@TheIkaika777]

@@JAFrk, actually OXO makes their bakeware and storage containers with Borosilicate glass. I bought a 7 cup storage container and you can tell the difference in quality.

[@JAFrk]

@@TheIkaika777 I mean, I was only talking about pyrex, but it's good to know that OXO carries it in the States. I'll definitely be buying from them when I buy more cookware.

[@Kevin15047]

Whatever they make it out of, my Pyrex bowl still survived a tumble from a high shelf in the closet and onto our floor which is tile over concrete. Not a scratch.

[@zennseven]

Want to make a cheap hand washing sink for a food truck. Anybody know if all stainless steel bowls are considered NSF to pass an inspection?

[@Eohyr]

This chef needs to redesign every kitchen utensil in the history of ever so we never have to worry about shit appliances again!

[@Alteczar]

Prices have gone up a lot. The pyrex set is now going for $31.80

[@Pureenheart]

thanks so much for the review:) my daughter loves to cook and asked for mixing bowls for Christmas. we are both on the shorter side..so your thoughts on everything was perfect. I purchased both the glass and stainless steel for her!:) thanks again.

[@roospike]

I've always had the shorter but wide stainless steel 5 set mixing bowls, I never could understand the tall mixing bowl craze. And of course multiple size glass Pyrex with the lip for the overall win. 👌

[@Lagolop]

What is the best shaped bowl to use when whipping cream (hand mixer), so that there is no splatter outside the bowl? I end ups with crap all over the walls, and I use a very large bowl. I wonder if there is a better shape. I use a typically shaped huge glass pyrex bowl.

[@lesliesmith7312]

Hemm My favorite bowl is a thick, high sided batter bowl made of some kind of plastic (not sure what) I really like the handle and the pour spout. It's not too big, not too heavy, smooth sidded on the inside and easy to scrap out. It's not microwave safe but I just use a glass liquid measuring cup if I need to heat anything. I wish I could find more in other colors because this one is orange

[@labyrinthwomb]

I kinda like tall bowls... Good to use with a hand mixer and not splatter all over.

[@DurzoBlunts]

Can never go wrong with anything Vollrath Also proudly made in America

[@ladaveny1]

I get the concept of functionality, however, when I’m cooking, there’s just times when I want the tradition of British Mason and Cash ceramic. I can’t imagine making mincemeat in anything else! I use it for scones as well!

[@ellenbasting1142]

I really prefer the Oxo. I do not have the twirling or rocking motion when using them. I also like the fact that it is quiet! No clanging sounds etc. I do have a Pyrex glass mixing bowl for melting chocolate or other things. Then again, three mixing bowls is not over-kill.

[@seikibrian8641]

I have the OXO bowls, too, and I also like them. Of course, I'm 6' 4" and I think Lisa is...um...somewhat less than that. I also have two hands, so I hold my bowls when doing vigorous mixing.

[@francispua9803]

I've always used Pyrex mixing bowls & so many uses. I'm sticking to Pyrex. Yay.& baking dishes too Pyrex a name you can trust.

[@margaretd3710]

Glad for the Amazon links but the prices there are MUCH higher than what is stated in the video! I'd suggest checking out Walmart and Target and compare prices.

[@seikibrian8641]

This video is four years old, and prices tend to go up more often than they go down. That said, Amazon is rarely the lowest-priced option. For Vollrath, I'd look at Webrestaurantstore.com.

[@rainydaywoman8997]

I love Vollrath.

[@kaystarlo]

Thank you for this and can you do an updated video on this?

[@Balthazzarr]

I complete disagree about the height at around 1:40. I won't even bother with any mixing bowl that size (around 5 quarts) that is below 5 inches. As soon as you put a hand mixer in that shorter bowl, I guarantee you are going to get food everywhere regardless of what speed it is on. In the Oxo, the taller and steeper sides make this much better for use with a hand mixer and more versatile overall. That extra inch of height is very noticeable. I suppose if you're shorter it could be a problem, but not everybody is short. If it's that much of a problem, then you need to work at a shorter table and not tell people that having a taller bowl is inferior for that reason alone, especially when it's objectively better to have the taller sides when using a hand mixer.

[@aowatson1]

So I enjoy these reviews much and am at a loss how heavy cookware (le cruset, all clad) is well respected but a heavy bowl is too heavy. The only reason for glass is nukes? Interesting there's no role for copper.

[@keetrandling4530]

Pyrex. You simply can't go wrong with Pyrex. Surprised at OXO

[@vamperis00]

Gotta love dem pyrex bowls :)

[@donaldfair4259]

Lisa why do you have Anchor Hocking bowls ? They are not tempered glass !

[@christopherxavier4952]

Si would consider stainless the better of the two. It seems to me that Pyrex is a favorite because it's such an established piece of kitchen gear. It's important to note that steel bowls CAN be used in the microwave without injury. On top of that, they don't break

[@bobg1685]

On the other hand, my medium and large metal bowls now have annoying divits in their sides that I don't have on the pyrex. I still use them, though, and both sets are great at what they do.

[@Ea-Nasir_Copper_Co]

christopher xavier Without injury, sure, but you shorten the lifespan of the microwave.

[@ROCKAPOTAMUSINMYHAND]

Funny...I bought the OXO bowls 4 years ago when ATK recommended them as the best mixing bowl set.

[@purpleiris6489]

I've been considering adding Copper mixing bowls to my kitchen tool collection. Would like to see a review on copper mixing bowls. Are the pricey Mauviel , De buyer or Copper Cul De Poule copper mixing bowls worth the money? Even used they are pricey!Are the cheaper copper bowls by Old Dutch a reasonable alternative? I noticed there are three different handle designs to consider,which adds to the price The bowls with a ring handle -which I thing is strictly for ease of storage -allows it be hung on a hook and or take up less storage space. But I notice there are bowls with handle,so which bowl handles are the most practical and or convenient when using the bowl for mixing-The bowls with one handle and the bowls with two handles.Then there are bowls that have a long handle (Copper Cul De Poule )? Which manufacture's bowl handles are the most practical when using the bowl for mixing? I did notice that Mauviel come with a life time warranty, I dont know about the other- does that make them worth the money?

[@raynethackery1]

Time for an updated video, please.

[@ruskie8103]

WOW! A video that wont break the bank!

[@bennybodash855]

What was the name if the stainless steel bowls? I couldn’t tell what she said.

[@jenny152075]

Benny Bodash I think it’s vollrath

[@Jie1478]

got a set from costco and called it good

[@norxcontacts]

Ceramic is too heavy, lol. I've been killing myself with a 4 quart bowl.

[@melindawells4297]

Where do you buy the nest of vollwrath bowls for 14 dollars

[@andiaddimando7180]

i am LOVING these videos!

[@RobertoRodriguez-ri9or]

It would be great if you guys updated this one the bowls on here aren't really available anymore

[@aquajack16]

Maybe it’s because I’m taller, but I just bought my second set of Anchor Hocking mixing bowls and would choose them over Pyrex and day. Pyrex bowls have such low sides I find them practically useless because the contents splash over the sides so easily. The design of the AH bowls makes them splash proof. I also prefer the higher sides when using the largest in the set for rising bread dough. As for the bowls sliding around on the counter, I guess I never thought about it because the first thing I ever learned in a restaurant was how to use a damp bar rag to keep bowls and cutting boards from sliding around. I will say, the lips on the Pyrex bowls are nice. Anchor Hocking does also seem more prone to chipping. Of course that was on one bowl I had for over 10 years and it stood up to a lot of use and abuse.

[@jamesspinelli6524]

but the anchor hocking bowls gets super heavy when they're full also l shaped sides are hider scrap than the gentle curves of the Pyrex bowls which in my opinion are better plus they all come with lids and have rims that you can grab on to

[@lisaadler507]

Never have I ever watched one of these and they picked something affordable before.

[@JosephHHHo]

They almost always pick a top notch and a best value option. Seems to make total sense that the highest performing will not be near the bottom of the price range.

[@IndianChief100PP]

I purchased new 13 and 16 quart stainless steel mixing bowls. However, the 13 quart will only hold 7 quarts and the 16 quart will only hold 13 quarts of ingredients. The vendor is saying that it is a "Mounded Measurement" of dry ingredients and that is industry standard. But try as I might, I can't get the amount stated on the label in the bowls. What gives?

[@seikibrian8641]

+IndianChief100PP -- What brand of bowls, and what vendor?

[@IndianChief100PP]

Royal and webstaurantstore.com is the vendor.

[@MrLrry1266]

Always use a silicone mat under any bowl you are mixing in, folding or whipping. The pads will grip wood, glass, ceramic and stainless. Ceramic is too heavy and if dropped your toes will be right in the wrong place so metal bowls are best for most.

[@KevinPiland]

Most people know her as Lisa McManus not all videos show her name on the bottom of the screen.

[@YouzTube99]

03:27 Not sure where ATK buys products but as of January 2019, prices for the recommended products have more than DOUBLED. Perhaps the bowls are twice as good now?

[@denisehardy8912]

Don't know if ATK does uodates regarding pricing but this video is from 2014...

[@daveklein2826]

What a stupid comment....look at the date of the video....there is this cool new thing called GOOGLE. do your own research

[@kimberlyv1205]

I get the need for the glass bowls but why are the metal ones considered necessary? Thanks.

[@antonyjosephine494]

Very informative message Mam...

[@sebastianmalton5967]

I don't think melamine bowls retain odors as much as ATK says they do

[@Satoshi9801]

Ceramic has never been too heavy for me, but I could understand for others it might be.

[@ChristopherFarms]

Thanks. That was a very helpful video.

[@DJaquithFL]

What you think there aren't taller people? Also heavy more durable glass is somehow bad? One deep cut at the ER .. $1,500 and that's just out of pocket.

[@carpenterfamily6198]

Sept 2018 Vollrath Economy Mixing Bowl Set by Vollrath Link: a.co/d/05hCgZD

[@paradigmq]

What about use with a hand mixer?

[@jerigood4355]

But pyrex shatters, I saw a pyrex bowl do this on a video. Plus 2 years ago, their 9×13 dish exploded when I took it out of the oven, and put on top of stove. I sense learned you cant do that, but my original pyres 9×13 never cracked, chip, or anything. I have had it since 1979. So I did some digging. Pyrex now uses a different kind of ingredient or glass, and that is why they now have this problem. I wont buy this brand ever again.

[@shirleyarizaga2961]

Thank you, yes I have both of those yeah .......

[@madthumbs1564]

You didn't make a case for why we need steel bowls, or multiple sizes. Pyrex works for me.

[@herrdoktorknowitall]

for most uses stainless will be much easier to use as they weigh a fraction of the glass bowls. Easier to get out, easier to lift and tilt. I would argue that you only need 1 small or medium glass bowl and the rest stainless steel.

[@QianBing]

mad thumbs did you even watch the beginning?

[@rosario2195]

Are the Pyrex bowls lighter than the anchor ones? How much do they weigh in comparison?

[@daveklein2826]

Google it

[@divya4843]

How much ML is your cake mixing bowl I want to buy in online for melting chocolate, whipping cream to beat what bowl with ML

[@ReggyRay289]

I'd still love to see appliance reviews. I know it's hard because of large selection and you're probably sponsored by someone but I'd really love to get your opinion.

[@heribertozavala2530]

You do know that they have other reviews like appliances their website but you have to pay to see that info and you get a 2 week trial. If you want to know about a certain appliance ask me i know all of them

[@Steffano2A]

Great info!

[@thezionzion]

this was so helpful

[@yinqian1116]

Can you tell me the size of the bowl when you are comparing it with the large oxo mixing bowl during the middle of the video (the one that's nearly an inch lower one)? Appreciate it.

[@tigerqueen400]

Sissi Y it was 5 quarts

[@alexluf]

awesome! Thanks a lot!

[@BenedictMHolland]

I bought all of sort of stuff at a comercial kitchen supply and I have never looked back. Walco and Pyrex are comercial grade products.

[@XaniaMore]

Love it! Been looking - thanks for helping :)

[@Chocolatmisu]

Then you find other well respetable chefs who highly recommend using plastic when tempering chocolate, basically because it allows you to control temperature better, whereas glass mantains the heat and doesn't let you. In my case for example, I highly prefer taller side bowls when I use a hand mixer, because high speed made everything splash wildly and therefore, I turn out getting everywhere dirty, which I am not a fan of to be honest. So I guess I'll just take the information, not only from them, but from other sources as well, just to optimize whatever I do, the way I want to.

[@3ngan498]

I love this channel

[@michaelfromRhodeIsland]

The Vollrath economy bowls are just that....they are wicked thin. They feel flimsy and we'll see in time how they hold up.

[@ejohnson3131]

Whoever said being BASIC was a bad thing, never watched ATK!

[@keithkimbrell8616]

Can you please spell the name of your favorite bowl so I can search for it? Bull ex?

[@HellVedaKa]

Hmmm. Looks like ill be adding that ss set to my tools. Oddly enough, the features you describe as discomforts I find to be more functional. the oxo are my go-to for mixing and prep work.

[@madthumbs1564]

Yeah, I thought she was talking about the high edges being an advantage on keeping food in?

[@chubbychinagirl]

i think more specifically, bowls should hit the sweet spot between high and straight enough to keep the contents in, but shallow & wide enough to easily mix without overreaching. it's the difference between a big plastic bucket and a kiddy pool of the same capacity & weight. if your big 75-lb dog jumped in, which one would be more likely to lose its contents? sure, the pool might make for an impressive splash, but the bucket, combined with the force of the jump, will almost surely tip and spill in its entirety.

[@mikeh0212]

Best glass bowls are from Duralex.

[@iu2]

I thought too until they started breaking. I had an ten-piece set...now it's down to six.

[@jabaaronkowalski498]

lmao @@iu2

[@jabaaronkowalski498]

any casualties this year?

[@iu2]

@@jabaaronkowalski498 Thanks for asking! I am still on six.

[@dianeking9724]

What is a good size bowl to mix a cake or cookie batter in?

[@thedragonestgamer785]

Diane King Sorry for the late reply, you probably already found out, but I would prefer a large bowl for bigger batches because the flour doesn't get everywhere when mixing, and ensures you won't need to pull out a larger bowl, if you're using medium or small. But it all really depends on the recipe, like a batch of cookies that only make 10 servings. It would be smarter to use a medium bowl.

[@RBFILMS]

I wish the Pyrex were still $13. I'm looking at them and they're currently £58. Yikes.

[@virginiaomalley]

So why do we need both? I have glass and can melt chocolate used as a double boiler, and mix many things. Tell me why I need stainless steel please. i bake all the time and haven't missed using stainless.

[@jmonk1590]

Virginia O'Malley I don't think it's essential to have stainless steel, I think it's just a lightweight alternative to glass (if you are not microwaving of course).

[@IKonrad112]

Virginia O'Malley She said in the beginning that steel bowls are lighter and more maneuverable. They are also more durable. Stainless steel would be superior to glass in every way if it were microwavable, but it's not. They recommend both to cover all kitchen tasks!

[@virginiaomalley]

Got it. Thanks guys.

[@inka3118]

+Virginia O'Malley I have glass bowl and stainless steel Vollrath's bowls. I used glass bowl maybe twice. It's simply too heavy. Stainless steel bowls are so light you can pick them up with 2 fingers. If you drop it... so what... you can't break them. Once you try stainless steel mixing bowls you will never go back to heavy glass bowls.

[@virginiaomalley]

+jw Good point. I do hate the heaviness of glass bowls.

[@DVelez-wz3fe]

Vollrath are aluminum

[@Thommadura]

I have a double set of plastic mixing bowls that I use ALL THE TIME. for decades. Yes - they are scratched - whoopee - why does that matter? I can put them in the microwave to soften or melt butter. They go into the Dishwasher on the top rack and get clean - I do not see oil retention although Tomatoes (and other things) can stain them slightly. I have covers for them and use them for food storage too.I have a really old set of Pyrex glass from my Grandmother that I rarely use (would like covers but Saran works on them). I had 8 kids and 16 foster kids and they got plenty of use and worked just fine - what do you use them for - put ingredients in then and mix together. ANd if you drop a plastic mixing bowl on the floor from a counter it doesn't break either. There are times when these video are elitist and ignore the basic needs of a HOME cook whose kitchen gadgets do not have to survive a commercial kitchen.

[@helmanfrow]

I sure wish prices were the same as they were 10 years ago 😭

[@williamjones7163]

Boo Oxo (rarely say that) Yeah Pyrex!