Should Your Fish Spatula Have A Silicone Edge?

Forget about the plastic square on a stick you've been calling a spatula. In many ways (with the exception of rubber spatulas for baking), a fish spatula is really the only spatula you need in your kitchen gadget drawer. If you've never worked with one, fish spatulas are long, thin, and metal. Its paddle is lined with slots to allow liquid to drip through as you flip your fish while it cooks. But, despite its namesake, fish spatulas aren't just for cooking fish. They're ideal tools for flipping pancakes, burgers, fried eggs, crepes, and grilled cheese sandwiches — whatever you'd normally flip to cook, a fish spatula works better for most applications than its plastic or nylon counterparts. Plus, its thin, sturdy edge makes it a perfect tool for cutting up ground beef or making sauces in a skillet, and in a pinch, it can even serve double-duty as a slotted spoon.

Now that we've sung the fish spatula praises until our throats went dry, and you're definitely about to purchase a utensil of your own, how can you know what to look for? There's a wide array of fish spatulas on the market, varying in length, width, material, and more. But today, we're zeroing in on one particular kind that'll set your fish spatula apart from all the other envious tools in your kitchen gadget arsenal: A silicone edge. Here's why your fish spatula should have one.

Perhaps the most significant difference in the fish spatula's design is its beveled edge. By approaching tender still-cooking foods at an angle, the tool can slide underneath them more easily and prevent tearing.

With this in mind, a silicone-edged fish spatula is your new best friend if you own an enamled cast iron or ceramic non-stick pan. The silicone will prevent your spatula from scratching the bottom of your pans. Nobody wants a scratched pan or a mutilated fish filet. To get the best of both worlds, look for a fish spatula edged with firm, sturdy silicone as opposed to flexible. The tool is softened by the silicone but still needs to be strong enough to lift burgers and fish filets with ease; You want the silicone edge to help you in the long run, not get in your way.

This silicone-edged fish spatula from Sur La Table runs for about $30, which seems a little steep until you realize it's made from 18/8 stainless steel, boasts an ultra-heat-resistant sturdy silicone edge, and is dishwasher safe. Or, this fish spatula by GreenPan is made entirely of silicone wrapped around a solid steel core for maximum sturdiness and protection. It's also heat resistant up to 392 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning you could even use it for grilling outdoors at your next fish fry.