
Welcome to our large cutlery set test 2023. Here we present all the cutlery sets we have tested in detail. We have compiled detailed background information and added a summary of customer reviews on the internet.
We would like to make your purchase decision easier and help you find the best cutlery sets for you.
You will also find answers to frequently asked questions in our guide. If available, we also offer interesting test videos. Furthermore, you will also find some important information on this page that you should be aware of when buying cutlery sets.
Summary
- Cutlery sets are ideal for equipping your household with cutlery.
- There are cutlery sets for the menu, for coffee and cake, for fish or steak. Depending on what you want to use the cutlery for, you should choose the right kind.
- With good care, your cutlery can stay ready for use for a long time. Lost sharpness can be restored with knife sharpeners.
The best Cutlery Set: Our Picks
Guide: Questions you should ask yourself before buying a Cutlery Set
What is a cutlery set and what are its advantages?
Since the cutlery in cutlery sets is coordinated and comes from one manufacturer, the individual pieces fit together well in terms of design and functionality. Cutlery sets provide you with a complete basic set of cutlery.
What alternatives are there to a cutlery set?
If you want your cutlery to be uniform, you should go for cutlery sets.
The big disadvantage is that the cutlery may then come from different manufacturers and have different designs, so that your cutlery collection looks thrown together and not uniform.
How long can I use a cutlery set?
Cutlery from cutlery sets is also subject to these signs of wear. However, with good care and careful use, the cutlery can be used for many years. A cutlery grinder can also be used to prevent the blades from becoming blunt.
They were found in archaeological sites and were carved from bone or wood. Until the 19th century, however, the spoon was almost only used to cut things up.
What does a cutlery set cost?
What distinguishes a menu set and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
Menu sets are suitable for you if you basically want to equip your household with cutlery and the cutlery should not be further specialised. It can be used in its entirety and is not limited in its use.
What distinguishes a dessert set and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
In addition to coffee spoons and cake forks, coffee sets usually also contain special cutlery for portioning and distributing desserts. This includes, for example, cake knives, cake servers, sugar scoops and spoons and cream spoons.
What distinguishes a complete set and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
Sometimes the more noble term table cutlery is used to refer to complete sets. Complete sets can also contain cutlery for several courses, so that additional cutlery is available for starters and soup.
The equipment of a complete or table cutlery set depends on the respective manufacturer. Make sure you know which cutlery is actually included before you decide.
What distinguishes steak cutlery and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
Steak cutlery is highly specialised for eating steak. It should not be used for any other purpose as it will wear out quickly. It is therefore not suitable for other dishes.
What distinguishes fish cutlery and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
Fish cutlery therefore does not normally have a normal knife with a sharp edge, but a fish knife. This does not have a cutting edge in the actual sense, but is more like an angled spatula with which the fish can be cut up by applying light pressure.
What distinguishes kitchen cutlery and what are its advantages and disadvantages?
Kitchen cutlery sets contain, for example, ladles, scrapers, cooking spoons and kitchen knives. However, the actual equipment of the cutlery set for the kitchen depends on the respective manufacturer.
Buying Criteria: You can use these Factors to compare and evaluate Cutlery Sets
As you have seen, cutlery sets come in many different types and designs. To help you find the right product for your purchase decision, we have summarised all the important criteria:
In the next section, we will briefly go into all the points and tell you how you can quickly compare cutlery sets.
Number of pieces
As already mentioned above, there are huge differences in the number of pieces, which also affect the price. For example, there are cutlery sets with 24, 30, 36, 39, 60 or even more pieces.
Closely linked to the number of pieces is the number of people who can eat with the cutlery sets at the same time. Cutlery sets with 24, 30 or 36 pieces are usually designed for six people, while cutlery sets with 60 pieces have enough cutlery for 12 people.
So the number of pieces you need depends on how many people you want to serve. If you live alone, in a shared flat or a small family, a cutlery set for six people is usually sufficient for everyday use.
If, on the other hand, you have to serve large numbers of people, you will need more cutlery and therefore a cutlery set with more pieces.
Material
Cutlery sets are available in different materials. The most common are stainless steel, Cromargan, sterling silver and plastic. Most of the cutlery in cutlery sets is made of stainless steel. This metal is usually very robust and rustproof. It is therefore well suited as a basic material for cutlery because it can withstand daily wear and tear.
Cromagan is a special form of stainless steel that has a higher chrome content and a silver-like appearance. Cromagan is also rustproof and acid-resistant, robust and can be cleaned in the dishwasher without any problems.
Cutlery made of sterling silver is particularly noble. This is a silver alloy that is more robust than normal silver and has a slightly reddish appearance.
Nevertheless, sterling silver is less robust than stainless steel cutlery sets because of the silver content. In addition, sterling silver is usually significantly more expensive than stainless steel cutlery.
The last widely used material is plastic. Plastic is mainly used for kitchen utensils and disposable cutlery. Plastic is not suitable for long-term use and for cutlery.
Design & colour
Cutlery sets come in very different designs. On the one hand, there is cutlery with a very minimalist and smooth surface, on the other hand, there is cutlery that is very finely crafted and decorated. Before buying, think carefully about which design you like and which suits you and your home. Your cutlery should fit in well with your living situation.
The design in turn has an influence on the price. If cutlery is very finely crafted, this is often reflected in the cost. Simple designs, on the other hand, are usually cheaper.
The colours of the cutlery usually correspond to the natural colours of the material used. However, especially with cutlery sets for children, additional coloured handles can be adapted to make the cutlery more appealing to children.
Case
Some cutlery sets have their own case in which the cutlery is delivered and can be stored. Whether or not a case is available is important for you, especially when it comes to storing the cutlery.
If you have a cutlery box, you can of course store the cutlery there. Otherwise, you should make sure that your cutlery set has a cutlery case so that you can sort and store the cutlery in it.
For particularly fine and expensive cutlery, you should continue to use the cutlery case for storage and refrain from storing it in the cutlery tray or a drawer insert, as the cutlery is particularly susceptible to damage there.
Range of application
Cutlery sets come in very different designs and are also adapted to different areas of use. You should consider which area of use applies to you and make your selection accordingly. In addition to cutlery sets for private use, there are also cutlery sets for children and cutlery sets for the catering industry.
If you want to use the cutlery in the catering trade, you will of course need considerably more cutlery and accordingly cutlery sets with many pieces. Since conventional cutlery sets for private use can be relatively expensive, you should definitely turn to wholesalers if you are looking for cutlery for gastronomy.
There is also special cutlery for children. This is usually equipped with a colourful design and adapted to smaller children’s hands. For adults, on the other hand, it is usually rather unsuitable.
Use & application
As you have seen, there are many different types of cutlery sets. There are menu sets for the main course and cutlery sets for dessert, steak and fish.
There are also table cutlery sets, some of which contain additional cutlery for starters and soups. There are also cutlery sets with special utensils for working in the kitchen.
The different types of cutlery sets can only be used in very specific places. Therefore, think about how you want to use the cutlery set and what you want to eat with it. You should base your purchase decision on this.
Facts worth knowing about the Topic of Cutlery Sets
What other things might I need in addition to my cutlery set?
Basically, you can use the cutlery set of your choice directly after buying it. However, there are some things that can make it easier for you to use or add to your repertoire. As already mentioned, there is always the question of how you want to and can store your cutlery. Some cutlery sets have their own case in which the cutlery can be placed.
But there is also the option of storing the cutlery in a drawer. Cutlery boxes and cutlery inserts for the drawer are ideal for keeping your cutlery collection tidy. The scope of cutlery sets is always limited. Usually only the cutlery is included.
For cooking and serving food, however, you need other cutlery and kitchen utensils, such as kitchen knives, ladles or scrapers. These may need to be purchased additionally so that you can use your kitchen and the newly purchased cutlery set optimally.
In the Old Testament, it is reported how a priest broke the rules when offering a sacrifice and ate his meat with a fork.
What care does my cutlery set need?
If you have bought a new cutlery set, you naturally want it to be in good condition for as long as possible. We have put together some tips for you on the subject of cutlery care.
In general, you should handle your cutlery carefully so that it stays in good condition for a long time. Avoid exerting unfavourable pressure on the cutlery and do not leave it dirty for a long time.
It is particularly gentle on the cutlery if you wash it by hand. However, most cutlery sets are also dishwasher-safe. However, pay attention to the manufacturer’s instructions.
If you clean the cutlery in the dishwasher, make sure that no water remains on the cutlery after cleaning. Open the dishwasher immediately after washing and place a kitchen towel inside so that excess moisture can escape and be absorbed by the kitchen towel.
Otherwise unsightly stains can form. Your cutlery may also oxidise, which can cause permanent damage.
If your cutlery loses its sharpness over time, this is no reason to discard it. Knife sharpeners can be used to remedy this. The use of knife sharpeners is relatively simple and can be mastered without much prior knowledge.
In the following table, we have summarised five general tips for cutlery care:
Tip | Explanation |
---|---|
Rinse cutlery immediately | Never leave your cutlery dirty, but rinse it immediately after use, even if it is put in the dishwasher afterwards. This is important because food residues can contain acids that can damage the cutlery. |
Dry cutlery immediately | Never leave your cutlery wet, but dry it with a cloth. Many people put the dishes straight into the drawer after the dishwasher, but even here there can still be water residue in the grooves. |
Do not overfill the cutlery basket | Do not overfill the cutlery basket in the dishwasher, as this can cause the individual pieces of cutlery to rub against each other. The rubbing can cause scratches. |
Place cutlery correctly | Place all cutlery pieces in the cutlery basket with the handle facing downwards. This helps the water to drain off and the cutlery to dry better. |
Suitable cleaning agent | Use a mild metal cleaning agent. Special rust cleaners can help with flash rust. |
How should I store my cutlery set?
There are generally two ways to store the cutlery set. You can store the cutlery set in its own case, or you can store it in a cutlery box or a cutlery tray for the drawer.
Storing cutlery in a cutlery case has the advantage that the cutlery is not scratched and can be stored safely. However, you need a separate place in your home for the case and getting it out of the case can be awkward.
With cutlery trays for the drawer, you can keep your cutlery nice and tidy in your dining table drawer. This saves space and time when setting out. However, there is a greater risk of scratching your cutlery.
In general, you should make sure that you always put your cutlery in a dry place. If the cutlery is still wet or damp, it can rust and no longer meet your hygiene requirements.
Image source: unsplash.com / Jarosław Ceborski