Equipment Review: The Best Metal Spatula and Our Testing Winners (Why Fish Spatulas are the Best)

Buy Our Winning Metal Spatula: cooks.io/2BWQgBm
Buy Our Best Buy Metal Spatula: cooks.io/2ydpotp
Behind the testing: cooks.io/2xZsvpo
Full testing details and ranking chart: cooks.io/2DY2Oej
Watch more equipment reviews: • Equipment Review: The ...
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[@TheOtherBill]

Amazon buyers: Be careful, there's some unscrupulous sellers on Amazon advertising this and shipping some cheap imitation. The latest reviews are full of complaints.

[@jay7sa]

A few months ago i found the winning Spatula at goodwill for $1.99 after watching this video now i know why i like it so much.

[@andyoli75]

Yeah. $1.99

[@neiloppa2620]

That's an awesome find! : )

[@tamsondarland8951]

Wow!!! What a bargain. That's fantastic.

[@georgewashington938]

yeah / I would be embarrassed to by a $50 german spatula unless there were no alternatives. $1.99 for a good tool is something to be proud of.

[@msj.randel1496]

Me too!! Lol

[@benoitguillou3146]

Even more expensive but to me more effective than the whustof , is the global knives GS27 fish spatula , it has the advantage over the whustof because it's inox handle doesn't burn on a hot skillet , yes you don't like the metal handles in that comparison , but the global textured inbox handle doesn't slip even with wet hands . Absolute perfect design . Basically it's a life long item to buy .... indestructible !

[@MattLohkamp]

these review + comparison vids are basically my favorite thing about atk.

[@willyb933]

You nailed it! we pick the right pan the right size and then we beat it up with a bad spatula...I love my fish spatula, I use it on my non-stick pans with care because it just works.

[@johnhumphries4632]

I’m so glad I found your channel. Thanks for all you do!

[@wojciechwroblewski7121]

Me watching a spatula review at night is by far the deepest impact the coronavirus had on my life. And I'm on lockdown since the beginning of March.

[@mahumike7531]

i hear you. hang in there!

[@garymoore8711]

Ditto! At almost 75 yrs old and on self isolation, ATK tool reviews are superlative watching. Much better than Law &Order reruns.

[@papasfritas6071]

I go in and out of the house all the time with almost no caution or care for the virus and never had any symptoms. God protects the faithful 🙏

[@Matt-fl8uy]

@@papasfritas6071 You're lack of empathy is sad.

[@nashonabo821]

@@Matt-fl8uy Empathy? What does that have to do with anything he said 2 years after OP?

[@annek1226]

Yeah Lisa! Thanks for the review! Very thoughtful!

[@kiraslosser6691]

Updated silicone spatulas next??

[@drthmik]

the Victorinox Spatula has a wood handled version which is MUCH MUCH cheaper for some reason, I got that one and I love it

[@KonaGal]

Thank you for the advise, I love a bargain and wood handles . Today I ordered a few Victorinox Spatulas for my daughters and they were on sale, oh lucky us !

[@NeuroPulse]

This is fantastic. As a person who likes to buy the right product once, and keep it, rather than waste, this is very useful. Thank you.

[@wandarichardson4213]

I have always used a fish spatula as my regular spatula and love it for all of the same reasons. Thank you for sharing✌💛☺

[@275carreira]

Welcome back, Lisa! We missed your videos!

[@kentuckylady2990]

My fish spatula is vintage and is my favorite stir fry tool

[@Phlegethon]

I watch these now Saturday mornings

[@Senrab3123]

Excellent video. Detailed but still straight to the point.

[@tamsondarland8951]

I definitely agree with your choice for #1. I don't own a fish spatula. But have used them. They are absolutely wonderful to cook with. ♥️👍

[@24framedavinci39]

The equipment reviews is the only reason I'm subbed to this channel.

[@droppingcoconuts]

thanks! i enjoy your reviews.

[@connieholley1124]

Wow, I have been using the wrong spatula all these years. Another greatly appreciated product review.

[@hollym5873]

Great info, great video. Thanks

[@aitch6216]

The fish type spatulas are also great for cutting in the pan. The slightly angled top and beveled edge is great to size up any food

[@ArmadilloGodzilla]

Thank you, ordered one immediately.

[@kittiemamba]

Thank you this is very helpful

[@charleshanson9467]

Every time I go into a thrift store I head for the cooking tools section. The BEST spatulas are the older ones made of stainless spring steel ~3x4.5", skinny handles with plastic grips. I have three now, and I've even repaired the welds on one to keep it as long as possible. I have a fish spatula, but it's cheap and the handle collects water when washing, and comes out later when using it - gross. Thanks for the great review!

[@jimrafert7372]

I agree. The atk really love their ludicrously pricy gear. If you pay more than two bucks, you got the wrong one.

[@karldelavigne8134]

Wow! Lisa is so organised, logical and articulate in these reviews. This might sound nerdy, but that was actually a really interesting video.

[@andrewmcelroy4114]

I feel like this is a bogus test. I should be clear that I think Lisa McManus has good intentions and is no fool in the kitchen. However, to me it seems like when America’s Test Kitchen made this video they didn’t objectively think, “hey let’s find the best spatula.” Instead they started with the premise, “isn’t it dumb how no one uses fish spatulas more often?” and proceeded to work backwards from their favorite two. While I agree with the fish spatula premise on the grounds that it is more versatile than a conventional spatula I don’t think they gave conventional spatulas a fair shake. They seem to have picked the worst ones for the test in order to drive their point home about the specialist being superior to conventional spatulas. More importantly I feel that the two fish spats they preferred are not actually superior. I judge this on the grounds of handle meltability, which I considered to be more important than handle thinness when it comes to utility of fish spats. I don’t by the argument that a thinner handle necessarily makes the fish spatula easier to maneuver. That is just a matter of practice and comfortability with the fish spat that you have. Were I the judge, I would’ve picked the Hell’s Handle fish spat (which full disclosure, I own. It’s made by Mercer and it’s def under $20...has a handle that is heat resistant to something like 550 degrees F), followed by the fish spat with the metal handle. Neither handle will melt, and you don’t need to waste a bunch of fish fillets or ground beef for “pub style burgers” (whatever the fuck THAT is) in order to “test” their functionality. Again, I admire Lisa McManus and Cook’s Illustrated I just think this particular review is dumb.

[@pikaviet]

yay, your back. can you do more of these reviews. they are very informative. can you review other household item such as storage sacks for onion/potato, miscellaneous tools of kitchen, or anything unique that may be an addition to the kitchen

[@neversometimesalways]

I love watching Lisa’s videos!

[@zipporahthecushite7729]

Thanks. I never heard of a fish spatula until this video. It was a great tutorial.

[@renees766]

I love Lisa's reviews, she's just awesome!

[@scottkolbe2047]

Lisa is the best on ATC

[@kendricmaine1234]

oh my god I just check this channel about a week or two ago for a spatula video I’ve been looking for a good one

[@anoopsinghgill9471]

Lisa is the ultimate presenter for any review. Lady you are the BEST👍👍👍👍

[@donaldasayers]

Now I would call those turners, because they are used for turning stuff over in a frying pan. A spatula is a parallel sided very flexible affair used in cake decorating. But then I'm English. A good turner has a straight end so it fits the flat bottom of the pan and will scrape stuff off it.

[@S23K]

Why are the traditional spatulas so incredibly thick these days? I love the old ones that are thin and maneuverable (even moreso than fish spatulas), but I have to look for them at tag sales or antique stores. They should really see a renaissance!

[@Forevertrue]

easy to make. No precision necessary.

[@lifeteen2]

They're called pancake turners now ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ . Check out the Good Cook Pancake Turner, that's what I use.

[@mjremy2605]

I bought the All Clad fish turner and its very thin and very flexible. Too much! A bit more stiffness is needed.

[@nicwi]

In my view it is much better with a flat front edge, compared to a curved one. This is because only a flat edge will have contact with the pan along its width. I was surprised you didn’t mention this, considering that all the spatulas you liked had this property.

[@April4YHWH]

I have a metal fish spatula with a slightly angled leading edge I picked up for $5.95 (by New Star Foodservice). Being left-handed, it's a wee bit tricky at times but I've adapted and it has performed flawlessly. I am always wanting a non-stick version and was hoping Lisa would review those as well. Maybe next time!

[@michelleadams5609]

Would love to see reviews on kitchen shears, mason jars, garlic press and peelers. Potato especially. Love the recommendations. I use so many of them everyday...victorinox knife, oxo cutting board, etc.

[@JKhalaf]

Very nice video! thank you. Am I right that these shouldn't be used on a non-stick skillet? Can you do a review on what silicone spatula is best for non-stick skillets?

[@shastypalola1026]

More equipment reviews from you please! :)

[@jeremyd6775]

I fell in love with Mercer hell handle as a kitchen manager and now the fish spatula and griddle spatula are my favorite

[@adamdavi8869]

You missed one excellent spatula, the Cutco spatula. Thinner than the traditional shapes you reviewed but still beefy enough to handle burgers etc. The handle is standard Cutco material, dishwasher safe and comfortable. The handle also has a curve that moves your hand closer to, and higher up from the pan. Possibly the best spatula I've ever used.

[@ImTheDudeMan471]

Two of the most popular metal spatulas come in a set from IKEA that I didn't see tested here. Stainless, slotted and solid. Great value w 2 ladels, 1 long steak prong, etc.

[@qabawa]

Went down this road to replace my one from the eighties that handle was dying. Lee Valley is the way to go for this one if you want a “conventional spatula” with the flexibility, durability, and grip. Only complaint is the traditional one runs a bit small.

[@janedoe805]

I have four different spatulas for four different types of food. Which cover every single category from Sugar cookies to fish and heavy burgers/steaks. No one is allowed to touch my fish spatula, it was quite pricey because, I purchased it from Williams Sonoma. I had to lay down the law because, somebody took my very expensive Soup Ladle and used it as a hammer!

[@MaZEEZaM]

It took me ages to find it but I have a really great spatula, its a fish spatula style, its metal but the outer edge has a thin silicone edge which means I can use it in non-stick cookwear, mine is flat though.

[@bettyroos3620]

As my cooking set was Revere Ware, All Stainless, there were some perks included: 2 looking spoons, 1 slotted, 1 not. 1 lovely soup ladle, And 1 dandy pancake Turner and one shorter Turner... ALL stainless steel.. No need to go searching for my basic tools. Pampered Chef is a fine retailer, as well.

[@asadb1990]

i got 2 generic wood handle fish spatula. one is standard size while the other is large. the fish spatulas are way more versatile for everything both delicate and tough. the metal is thick but still fairly flexible.

[@isaacbeja4073]

thank you! what would b a good option for non stick?

[@ChloexLashay]

Can you guys do a video for the best electric citrus press ?

[@JesusMartinez-mk6fc]

I initially was going to purchase the runner-up MiU France spatula, which is actually a Chinese company, but I then found the same spatula rebranded under another brand name; a common business practice in China. I read through many reviews of the MiU and after finding out that the handle was reportedly hollow and prone to melting if left to touch a hot skillet, I decided to look elsewhere. After quite a lot more research on Amazon, I found a similar looking spatula to the Wüsthof. Not that it's equal to the german-made spatula but at just under $14 and a 4.5 star rating for a stainless steel fish turner spatula from the catalog of Ateco, an american company in NY, I decided to give it a try. The spatula, Ateco's #1364, is also made in China but to Ateco's specifications. It has a very comfortable solid plastic handle with a great sized slanted head design. After three months of use, I couldn't be happier with the purchase and I'm laughing all the way to the bank. You can find it at amzn.com/B004M5H6R4

[@matthewwaterhouse9925]

I'm surprised an OXO didn't top the list. ATK usually loves their OXO.

[@seikibrian8641]

I'm a big OXO Good Grips fan, but I looked at the OXO spatulas at a store and said "Nope. Not going to cut it."

[@hotvodka7641]

Yeah Oxo spatulas suck for some reason

[@zelma8]

I use my OXO fish spatula every day and love it! It doesn't have the best curved edge, but it has worked wonderfully for me for years.

[@bl6973]

Matthew Waterhouse the oxo one was the really flimsy one.

[@bl6973]

Hot Vodka Same with their knives. I had to use a chefs knife to cut cookie dough in school. It hurt because the spine dug into my hand. Not good knife.

[@TranceCore3]

I have two favorite spatulas, one's a fish turner, the other is a grill spatula that I use on my cast iron. Fish turner for delicate items like fish and eggs, the grill spatula is what I usually use for steaks and burgers. Fish turners are great, but they're not that great for pressing meat into a hot surface like the firm spatulas, but I'd agree that fish turners are generally more usable than the regular spatulas.

[@phillyarchdad]

When Lisa McManus said “Maybe I’m extra fussy. OK, I am.” I knew I had a new KZbin crush! Toss in the delightfully awful pun when announcing the winners and I knew what I was going to watch as many of her videos as I could find until it was time to make dinner!

[@brianmacdonald3292]

Don't forget, the best one is the one that works well and fits YOUR hand. Mercer Hell's Handle is my #1 pick. My beefy hands love that indestructible tool.

[@sherri.]

After the music ended, this became an excellent educational video. Thank you for canning the background music, much appreciated.

[@endoalley680]

I like the old vintage Ekco and Flint spatulas with the riveted handles. Made back in the 1960's. Unfortunately, everybody else likes them too. So they go for a small fortune on Ebay.

[@paprika7577]

The BEST spatulas hands down! They are getting so hard to find now. Nothing comes close

[@giovannirobleto9807]

I love them so helpful

[@mariaserpa-gauvin8405]

Did you test the Pampered Chef fish spatula? It would be nice to know which ones you did test

[@caiwj22]

Great video.just a thought.i felt that the choice was skewed more to the fish spatulas as most of the tasks were flipping. Might be very different if it was stir fry/ etc

[@zelma8]

I'm so glad to see other people love and use their fish spatulas for every day use. I have more than 10 spatulas in my drawer, but only use my OXO fish spatula for EVERYTHING!!! (No, it's not the best one, but it works for me.) I thought I was the only one who did that. I just found this channel and found my people. 😂

[@lordgarion514]

The best rated doesn't mean it's the best for any particular person. How you hold and use things affects a lot. I'm thinking about getting the Mercer because the only real complaint it had was the handle is too thick. And I have long thin fingers, and a touch of arthritis. Which makes wrapping my hands around skinny handles a bit tiring, the opposite of what they found in testing, where they found that bigger handles made holding it a bit tiring, even for those with slightly larger hands. So if it works well for you, enjoy it.

[@sisterinSC]

My oxo broke in half this morning. That is why I am here looking for a new one.

[@pastorjustin4181]

How about silicone heat resistant spatulas?? Nevermind... Found the video. Thanks test kitchen!! 😁😁😎

[@tonyrusso7292]

I feel I need one ASAP I’m looking at my draw of old ones and thinking. Life is shit. I need a new one. Thanks kitchen first world

[@dalemarcus7237]

Miu clamped in a vice and a quick bend and now I saved a bunch plus I get the cool angle

[@stephaniesandish3990]

Wondering about non stick pan versions with the silicone edge, review please...?

[@richardx4456]

Can you please do a video on 10 inch Chef knife? thank you!

[@jake9705]

Please test: 1) Countertop glass storage jars 2) Pot holders 3) Best wooden utensil set 4) Honing steels

[@kaslyn2007]

Yes pot holders! Also plastic or silicone turners for non stick pans

[@user-jb9kn5xu1p]

5:03 A left handed person using a tool designed for right hand users, good luck with that. It's funny that she didn't even bothered to talk about any downside/ inconvenience like this one for the top pick. In addition, fish spatula is so in favour to certain ways of cooking that it loses versatility. I can't imagine how much food will stuck in the gaps when using it to make stir fries.

[@normacascio9041]

I have left Lisa the question of where does a lefty find left-handed utensils and I mean in the store(s) and not online. Hoping she can give me a helpful answer.

[@spicecrop]

The cheaper one could be easily bent to mimic the style of the expensive one, no problem.

[@laurahiser8601]

The fish spatula is always my go to.👍🏻

[@wenchaoshao184]

I got my Dash of That fish spatula from Kroger at half off price , I think it cost $3. Its handle is made of bamboo. The tip edge is sharpened slitly, tilting up just a little bit. It's been working great. I'm not spending that much money on a fish spatula. It's not like the chef's knife which you need extra technology to figure out the formula for the steel.

[@davehan241]

Hey ATK, can you take the the cheaper MIU Spatula and then bend it a little more to try and make it more like the Wusthof? I'm also wondering a Lefty can just bend the metal the other way to make a left-handed spatula. I'm sure the metal integrity will be compromised...but maybe not too much? These Equipment Reviews are the BEST, thank you!

[@kelli217]

I wonder where the dividing line is between what Lisa handles and what Adam handles.

[@YouzTube99]

Odd that Lisa didn't test the OXO 1130900 Good Grips Fish Turner because they usually include an OXO product and they often 'win'. It's my favorite AND it costs less than the MIU. Btw, as so often happens when ATK recommends a product, the price magically increases; the MIU is now US$23.

[@BlueGorillaInTheMist]

Now it's around $30

[@YouzTube99]

​@@BlueGorillaInTheMist Interesting and not surprising. That makes the current OXO price half of that 'at popular outlets'.

[@tealcoconut]

I noticed the fish spatulas are not straight on the end, but slanted a certain direction. It looks like it would be easier for right-handed folks. As a leftie, I can see how this might make it less comfortable for me. Maybe there are some left-handed ones available as I am definitely convinced these are the best!

[@AaronFigFront]

Wood spatula is the best in my opinion. I never have to worry scratch my nice pan while scraping the fond (brown bits on the bottom when cooking) off to develop flavors. You just need one of each nice metal, wood, and silicone spatulas. Then you are set for almost anything.

[@itsbabsworld3323]

Lisa, Could you do do a review on the best Whisk. I've been whisking non stop and my whisk is dying on me.

[@californialove964]

I just can't bring myself to like fish turners. I've had a Dexter Russell turner with a wood handle and 4-inch blade for about 10 years and it works with ease on everything. If I could find it on Amazon, I'd share the info.

[@snehadhanawade8226]

Plz make a episode on best kitchen tongs to lift hot vessels or containers that have no side handles.

[@johnwoods5318]

can you use those the fish spatula on non stick fry pans. Or are there others.

[@tombarclay7108]

Your best buy winner link goes to the offset version of the spatula, which I find awkward to use. Can you please provide a link to the one shown in your video?

[@MoPoppins]

The runner-up’s front edge could probably be bent slightly, if that would help its usability, though w/ its shorter handle, I don’t know if it would remain ergonomic w/ the modification.

[@TexasScout]

I have been using the “Pioneer Woman” fish spatula from Walmart for over a year now. I like the solid construction and wooden handle with brass rivets and at way under $10, it’s a bargain.

[@aadentrn6475]

I picked one up for $1 at clearance

[@sang4urlife]

I found this channel last night and have bingewatched like 20 videos 🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️ Anyone know the name of the rimless cookie pan showed in the video?

[@edwardcasper5231]

Do fish spatulas come in left-handed and right-handed models?

[@vernon_4411]

The recommended MIU Metal Spatula has a hollow plastic handle. It can get melt if you don't place it away from the heat. That is what happens to my MIU spatula. Don't know how it gets an NSF certification.

[@lordgarion514]

Not sure what you think an NSF certification means, but the fact that plastic melts when in contact with hot metal is pretty irrelevant to getting the certification. Now, if you could place the spatula on the pan and it melted so badly that plastic ran down into the pan with the food in short order, then it would probably not be certified.

[@bratticuss]

I have a Kitchenaid brand that does the job well.

[@cathyjackson8337]

She is awesome. Best product reviewer.

[@DJUwU]

Chinese cook here: we use traditional spatulas on woks...since they are so big and you fry way too much food to be flipped by a small spatula...the handle has to be long to reach the bottom center of the wok! I could never imagine cooking with one of those huge spatulas on a small stove pan though! But then again I use chopsticks so....

[@SpiritBear12]

Ah, finally, this video has better, clearer sound than almost all of them. It's still not that loud though, my computer's volume is set full blast and this video came out sounding normal rather than blasting me out of my chair. If I set my volume to slightly less than half way up, the video is way too quiet to hear well. and no, I'm not deaf. Other videos from other channels don't have to be played at full volume to be heard at all.

[@hschokker86]

Just got the wusthof spatula but I'm missing a hole on the handle so I can hang it on a hook or something. Can I drill that myself in the end of the handle without any issues?

[@ph11p3540]

Victorinox and Wusthorf spatulas might as well be die punched out of the same sheet roll of stainless steel on the very same punch die. The only difference is the Wusthorf has 3 extra manufacturing steps to finish it: Edge bevelling, slurring polishing and hand polishing at the buffing wheel.

[@ploik21]

I'd like to see a review of the HexClad pans next. They seem too good to be true.

[@QuickQuips]

I currently have two recommended spatulas, the Mercer and the Ruhn Rikon. The latter can come with a silicon tip which makes it nonstick friendlier. I do recommend the metal handle as the plastic one has been damaged by heat once. The Mercer is great for my big hands...but it definitely is something to try before you buy.

[@MrWalksindarkness]

the amazon link for the best buy is 8.87 with free shipping, how could you go wrong?

[@lungsfullofwater]

The best reviews 🖤 Lisa 🖤

[@aarondrossart6026]

Well... now i want a cookie burger. Thanks lisa :)

[@oinc7320]

Is the MIU spatula made in France, I got one, China, handle rusted at edge where it meets support, snapped off in less then a year. I miss brick mortar stores, I would pay the premium knowing it’s the real product over Amazon. Does ATK do long term testing? I assume they put more miles on an item.. .

[@michellelloyd6256]

What happens to all the test food? Do you just throw ir away and waste it? I often wonder

[@owlversusdove]

i was hoping for lisa to show up again!

[@owlversusdove]

didn't ask for your weird opinion

[@JoeStuffz]

Agreed. She's probably my favorite out of all of the test kitchen

[@raylarkin5004]

She's just the right amount of nerdy and cute (Velma from Scooby doo). Now, I know that may not be a requirement but I think the best women are ATK hosts with Bridget as my fave!

[@KyAl2]

I love her reviews also. I have seen enough of hers that there is a certain rhythm I am now used to and expect from all reviewers.

[@RonaldMcPaul]

I'm falling in love with her, their product reviews are so informative it's insane.