Buying guide for Best all-purpose grill spatulas
Of all the kitchen tools you could own, a spatula is probably the most indispensable. A variety of spatulas exist for flipping foods on the stove, so it comes as no surprise that when you take your cooking outdoors to the grill, there’s a special type of spatula for that task: the grill spatula.
Built specifically to deal with the heat and other cooking conditions associated with grilling, grill spatulas not only create more attractive meals, but also better-cooked ones. The right grill spatula is an integral part of throwing a great cookout.
Key considerations
Blade size
A grill spatula consists of two primary parts: a blade and a handle. Of the two, the blade affects your cooking more.
Blade size should be one of your primary considerations when shopping. Basically, the larger the blade, the larger the piece of meat you can use it with. Longer blades are best for longer foods, such as fillets of fish. Grilling spatula blades can stretch up to 8 inches or even longer. Wider blades are useful for foods like burgers and pizza. The average width of a grilling spatula blade is about 4 inches.
Blade thickness
Blade thickness impacts how effectively a spatula deals with large pieces of meat and other items. Whereas a thin, flexible blade may bend beneath the weight of a large steak or roast, a thick blade can support it. Thick blades are generally more sturdy and effective at pressing down on grilled food, such as when you flatten burgers.
Blade material and design
The best grill spatulas are often made from high-quality stainless steel. Here are a few blade design elements to consider.
Solid vs. slotted blades: Some blades are solid material while others have a slotted or cut pattern.
Beveled edges: Some grill spatulas have beveled edges that thin down to a sharpened tip. A spatula with beveled edges can be used to pry food off a grill or to chop food. Some blades are partially beveled, and others are beveled on all three sides.
Serrated edges: While relatively rare, some grill spatulas have a serrated cutting edge. This provides you with an easy way to cut into meat and test for doneness right on the grill.
Handle length
While comfort in a handle is important, length matters even more. Grill spatula handles can range from several inches to 2 feet in length. As you know, grilling tends to create a larger heated area — one with open fire and direct heat. A longer handle is recommended to protect your fingers, hands, and forearms from the heat. For multi-burner grills, in particular, this is a desirable feature.
That’s not to say that shorter handles don’t have their place. While less safe in grilling situations, a shorter spatula handle can be convenient with a compact grill like a hibachi. You may also find you have more control with a short-handled spatula. They’re certainly easier to tuck away in a cooking utensil drawer than their long-handled counterparts.
Handle material
The material of the handle affects your ergonomic comfort and how cool the handle remains during high-heat work. Generally speaking, your choice comes down to wood or rubber, although metal is also an option.
Wood: Wood is the classic grill spatula handle material. It is comfortable in the hand, doesn’t heat up quickly, and looks nice. Bamboo and oak are commonly used. One negative here is that wood will soak up water or other liquids. Make sure any wooden handle you buy has been planed down smooth for comfort.
Rubber: Rubberized handles are also popular. The rubber is usually molded over metal with a nonslip surface that resists heat and is easy to hold. Notably, rubber is less durable than wood and can break down over time.
Metal: You may find some grill spatulas with all-metal handles. Be careful with these. While there is usually some sort of barrier between the handle and the blade, the handle can still get dangerously hot if left near the grill.
Appearance
While not a huge consideration, if you’ve narrowed your options down to two grill spatulas and still can’t decide, definitely opt for the one that looks the best! Grill spatulas come in many unique designs with attractive blades, handles, and other features. If one matches your grill or captures your heart, buy it.
Features
Rivets
Rivets are found on some wood-handled grill spatulas. They are used to fasten the handle to the metal blade. Rivets are a notorious weak point in grill spatulas. Make sure the rivets are securely fastened when you first get the product and that they remain secure over time.
Bottle opener
You might think that including a bottle opener in a grill spatula is more gimmicky than practical. However, the day may come when you’re sifting through the silverware drawer to find a way to open your beer or other beverage while grilling. At this point, you may find a bottle opener on your grill spatula to be a genius move on the part of the manufacturer.
While not standard, some grill spatulas do include a bottle opener. If you find yourself frequently using a bottle opener, this is a great feature to put on your “must have” list.
All-purpose grill spatula prices
Grill spatulas start under $10 and can cost $25 or more. The average price falls between $15 to $20.
Inexpensive
Spatulas under $10 are often small with short handles and thin blades. These tend to be less durable and may be prone to rivet failure.
Mid-range
Grill spatulas that cost just a bit more, between $15 and $20, tend to have a better build in terms of both the blade and the handle. The blades are thicker and the handles are longer. Some spatulas in this price range possess advanced features, such as a serrated edge or bottle opener.
Expensive
For more than $20, you will find grill spatulas with the largest and thickest blades and longest handles. These are often commercial-grade spatulas that can hold up to the rigors of grilling for years. You will also find grilling spatula sets and grilling tong/spatula combos in this price range.
Did you know?
Using a commercial-grade grill spatula in a home setting may void the spatula’s protection.
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Tips
- Keep an eye out for rust. If you notice rust pits starting to form on your spatula blade and you’ve been washing it in the dishwasher, try washing it by hand instead.
- Consider investing in a set of spatulas. If you plan on doing a fair amount of grilling, a set of spatulas will provide you with size variety at a reasonable price.
- Note that some cooks prefer to use a mitt with their grill spatula. This is particularly helpful if the spatula handle is short. A mitt can help protect your hands from heat, sparks, and grease splatter.
- Beveled edges on all three sides of the blade are helpful. This can provide you with more flipping options when cooking steaks, burgers, and a variety of other foods.
- To be a true grill king, pick up a pair of heavy-duty grill tongs to go with your spatula. Between these two tools, you should be able to handle pretty much any food you’re trying to tackle on your grill.
- Cooking tools that hang are convenient. If you like to hang your grilling tools, either in the kitchen or near your grill, go with a spatula that includes a loop or hole in the handle for easier hanging.
FAQ
Q. What’s the difference between a slotted blade and a solid blade?
A. A slotted spatula allows grease to drip away more easily than a solid spatula. However, given a spatula’s flat surface, the benefits of slots are fairly minor. A slotted grill spatula can actually be less sturdy than one with a solid blade.
Q. How should I clean my grill spatula?
A. First, check to see if the maker has included care and use instructions. Some manufacturers state that their spatulas can be cleaned in the dishwasher. However, a grill spatula with a wooden handle should never be placed in the dishwasher because the wood could easily become warped or degraded. Instead, use a cloth with warm, soapy water.
Regardless of whether you wash by machine or by hand, allow the spatula to dry thoroughly before storing it.
Q. Can a grill spatula be used in the kitchen?
A. Yes. The large, sharp blade of a grill spatula can be used for a variety of kitchen tasks, from sautéing vegetables to dishing out lasagna. The one surface you should avoid using it with is nonstick pots and pans. The thick metal and beveled edges of a grill spatula could easily scratch and ruin a nonstick surface.
