Bowl: Purpose, Varieties and Recommendations for Choosing

Last Updated: March 1, 2022

Table Of Contents [show]

Scope of Application

Variety of Assortment

Features of Bowl Making Materials

Useful Tips for Buying a Bowl

A bowl is a deep and wide dish that looks like a small basin. This type of kitchen utensil often has a hemispherical shape without a lid or handles. A distinctive feature of this dish is its thin bottom and thin walls. Today, bowls of various shapes and volumes are widely available for sale.

The material from which they are made is also very diverse — ceramic, metal, plastic, glass and other materials. There are also bowls of the same material that differ in size, color, shape and volume. Bowls are widely used in households: they can be placed on a table during dinner, breakfast or snacks.

Scope of Application

This type of cookware is mainly intended for mixing ingredients and whipping food. But besides this, bowls are often used for serving soup and other liquid dishes, for preparing cereals and salads. They knead dough, wash fruits and vegetables, defrost food, pickle food, and use it to store food in the refrigerator. The bowl is also great for storing fruit on the table.

There are special bowls, gel warmer allows you to quickly bring the dough close to room temperature, so it is ready for kneading. This type of tableware, made of stainless steel, is indispensable during a picnic or on a camping trip. This tableware can also be used at home. The stainless steel material is easy to clean and maintain. The bowls are lightweight and comfortable to use.

Variety of Assortment

Bowls can be sold individually or in sets. These sets include from 2 to 6 (or more) bowls, which is very convenient, since bowls of different sizes can be used for a wide variety of purposes. In small containers, it is convenient to warm up the first courses and marinate food, it is also nice to eat a portion of ice cream, small portions of food can still be stored in the refrigerator in the refrigerator.

Medium bowls are most often used for making salads or minced meat and are also used for storing food. Large bowls are ideal for kneading dough, serving salads and other dishes to the table.

Features of Bowl Making Materials

Today bowls are made from a variety of bases, which have their own advantages and disadvantages. Most often, this type of tableware is made from the following materials.

Stainless Steel

The stainless steel bowls are very strong and durable and can withstand high temperatures. In stainless steel bowls, you can quickly boil water, reheat food, cook food over a fire. But stainless steel dishes are difficult to clean from contamination, since any abrasive products for kitchen utensils leave scratches on its surface.

Aluminum

This bowl has good thermal conductivity, is lightweight and durable. But aluminum dishes are destroyed by contact with an acidic environment and with alkaline detergents. Aluminum bowls are recommended for boiling water, but not for cooking food.

Metals

Metal bowls have such advantages, they do not stain with food dyes, do not absorb the smell of food, are easy to clean and retain their attractive appearance for a long time. But, for example, it is undesirable to pour water into iron containers in order not to contribute to the corrosion process. They are well suited for frying and baking food. It is very important to wipe and dry thoroughly after use.

Enamel

The enamelled steel bowl is easy to clean, aesthetic and hygienic. It is resistant to acids and salts. But enameled dishes require a very careful attitude. Such products do not tolerate shock and sudden temperature changes. In no case should you use dishes with a broken enamel layer, it poses a threat to your health. You need to get rid of such a bowl immediately if damaged.

Wood

Wooden dishes are environmentally friendly for humans, such a bowl is strong enough and has its own unique smell. Wooden bowls are ideal for salads, berries, pies, and vegetables. A wooden serving container looks very impressive on a festive table. However, it should be remembered that such dishes darken over time and can accumulate odors.

Clay

It is a wonderful natural material. Fish, meat or mushrooms cooked in such dishes have a special aroma and unique taste. You can keep food in clay bowls for a long time. This dish, without glaze, is absolutely safe for health; it does not leach toxins like synthetic materials. Clay products should not be placed in a high-temperature environment and rubbed with metal brushes.

Ceramics

Ceramic is unique and sensitive. While these dishes are safe in microwaves and dishwashers, they cannot withstand sudden temperature changes. You can safely slide them beneath the oven’s broiler, however, or place them on the grill next to your corn during barbeque season. Ceramic bowls are best used for serving pre-made meals.

Glass

Glass bowls can be used for serving deserts and salads. They are also decorative. Excellent quality and design, they look great on display in your kitchen, but are fragile to handle. Glass is a strong material, it is heat resistant up to 260°C. Bowls can be cleaned with soap or soda solution — they mustn’t be exposed to chemicals that can damage texture and patterns.

Plastic

Plastic dishes are lightweight and require little maintenance. Polypropylene plastic bowls with PP marking are made from material safe for human health. They can be used for both cold and hot food, but must not be heated. Most often, salads and vegetables are placed in such containers. For a mixer and whipping products with it, use a plastic bowl with a handle, high walls and a stable bottom.

Silicone

Silicone dishes are usually brightly colored, resistant to high temperatures, and do not absorb foreign odors. Food grade silicone is a safe material. Such dishes can be washed both by hand and in the dishwasher. But remember that silicone bowls are very easy to scratch with sharp objects.

Coconut

Coconut bowls are all natural, reusable and uniquely designed. Coconut is characterized by lightness and high strength. Coconut bowls must be hand washed and not exposed to sudden changes in temperature. They fit perfectly into any kitchen design.

Useful Tips for Buying a Bowl

To choose the right bowls that are reliable and practical, you should carefully read the recommendations of experienced chefs. Kitchen accessories can be very diverse. It`s very important to own a set of functional and reliable bowls. It is necessary to consider the material that they are made from. There should be no chips on the surface of each bowl, and the details should not be broken off.

Ideally, you should purchase several options for bowls with different volumes. Choose visually attractive and sustainable options for serving ready-to-eat meals. Wide models of these dishes are suitable for mixing salads and minced meat. If you choose bowls for storing food, then go for tall items with a lid to protect the food from oxidation. Measuring bowls allow you to accurately measure the amount of liquid for making dough or porridge.