Spatula Vs Turner – What’s The Difference?

Spatula, flipper, scraper, turner and many more the same tool! However, are they really the same? If you asked for a spatula, what would the shopkeeper give you?

Ok, so what exactly is the difference between a spatula and a turner. In the spatula group there are many tools. But what we usually call a spatula is a scraper with a rubber head, which we often use to mix or turn food in the kitchen. The turner also includes a spatula, but is only used for lifting and turning food.

If you were asked to give someone a spatula, what would you give? You may be confused, which tool will you submit. Ok, we’ll explain everything about spatula vs turner here, including what’s the difference between the two. So, keep reading this article till the end.

What is the Difference Between a Spatula and a Turner?

Kitchen utensils look simple, but many are confused, including how to tell the difference between a spatula and a turner. This confusion occurs when we buy many tools that are almost the same as their functions, and put them in one place. Then when we want to take a spatula, we will be confused. But we know how to use it and when to use it.

A question that sometimes makes us quite dizzy is the question of kitchen equipment. What is it, what is the difference between a spatula and a turner?

As we mentioned above, the turner is one type of spatula. How do you see the turner among the other spatulas? What causes a turner to be called a turner and what causes a spatula to be called a spatula so that it is not confused between the two.

Ok, in this case we have made a comparison between the two so that we get to know more details. Including where the overlap is when mentioning the two. Ok, let’s see more details about spatula Vs turner.

What Is a Spatula?

Spatulas are a staple in the kitchen, and they come in many different shapes, sizes and materials.

The problem with spatulas is that we call them circulars, spreads, spatula flips and scrapes.

“Spatula” is a very broad word or term. So, we mention the spatula on all kitchen utensils with a flat, wide head that attaches to a rather long handle or a long handle.

So, the term spatula is often very broadly used. We use it to refer to any tool that presents a wide, flat head attached to a long handle.

Usually the head of the spatula is made of rubber or silicone, but some are made of wood or use metal.

For those who are more familiar with each kitchen utensil specifically, of course they like to call it by its real name specifically. Ok, until here, we know a spatula as a kitchen tool with a rubber or silicone head. Even if you Google Spatula, a lot of what comes up is silicone scraper.

Well, up to here we already know what a spatula is. It is a kitchen utensil that has a wide head and long handle and usually a rubber or silicone head.

What Is a Turner?

A turner is also a kitchen appliance used to turn and lift food, as the name suggests “turner”.

So, we can answer that turner is a type of spatula. Many people mention the term spatula in scrapers. So the first thing that comes to the mind of the listener is “turner”.

So, in short, a turner is a spatula designed to turn food over or turn it around. This can range from flipping pancakes, bread or other foods.

Spatula Vs Turner – Comparison Table

In the table above, it is hoped that it will clarify the difference between a spatula and a turner. So, there are some minor differences that make the two somewhat different.

Including some of the main differences are the shape and material of manufacture of the two tools.

Shapes

Turners are used to turn flat items out of foods such as bread, fish fillets, pancakes, or cutlets. The tip of the turner is straight or slightly rounded so that it is easy to work on turning flat materials.

While the spatula has a variety of shapes. However, all types of spatulas except for the tuener have a straight and unusual edge.

The main function of a spatula is to remove mixture from a mixing bowl, to mix food in a saucepan, or to spread icing on top of a cake. So you won’t find straight and angled ends on a spatula in general.

Material

From the material of manufacture, the two can also sometimes be distinguished, although not guaranteed. Spatulas are made from various materials depending on the type of spatula you buy. Sometimes it is heat resistant, and sometimes it is not heat resistant, depending on the type and what it is used for.

Scrapers are usually manufactured from plastic or use silicone. From the other side sometimes called spreaders, where the tip or head is made of metal in general.

Turner is different from a spatula, it is always heat resistant. The best turners are those made of stainless steel. It can withstand high levels of heat. However, sometimes you can also find a turner with a nylon head. The melting point of nylon is 515 F, much lower than stainless steel.

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Types of Spatulas and Turners

As we have already discussed, a spatula is a kitchen utensil that has a broader meaning, which is sometimes also used as a turner.

Types of Spatulas

Generally speaking, there are two types of spatulas, baking spatulas and cooking spatulas.

Cake spatulas: It’s include the well-known scraper, people call it a true spatula, and a spreader.

Spatulas with silicone heads are well known as tools used by bakers.

This rubber-like tool is widely used by cake makers to scrape cake batter, cream, frosting from bowls. The shape is flexible and can adjust to the bowl so it can clean the bowl very clean from the rest of the cake dough.

Spreaders, used to spread frosting or cream on cakes, can also be flat metal paddles. This is commonly known as an offset spatula. The blade is long, flat and straight. While the edges are rounded, this makes it easy to spread the frosting. Spreaders are also called and are known by the name of a spatula, icing spatula.

While the spatula for cooking is a turner and a wooden spatula.

Asians use a wooden spatula very often, it’s light and durable and safe in the pan because it doesn’t burn, great for sauteing or frying. However this type of spatula (which is made of wood) is not as suitable for turning food as turning fried eggs, this is because the tip is not thin enough for the task of turning.

Types of Turners

After we know about the types of spatulas, now we learn about the types of turners.

Turners are a type of spatula, but turners have their own sub-category. When it comes to kitchen tools every little difference has its function and purpose. At least turner is divided into three kinds.

Perforated Turners: These turners have a lot of holes, the function of these holes is to drain the liquid and remove it from the equipment, including draining the fat when turning the food.

Solid Turners: This is a type of turner that has no holes, it’s great for turning foods like pancakes, it’s also great for handling fragile foods, as turners with openings can cause food to break, fall off the turner or crumble. This solid turning if the ends are thin enough, then it is also suitable for cutting. If this solid turner is made of stainless steel, then it can also function as a tool for crushing burgers.

Slotted Turners: This is a very good and useful type of turner in your activities in the kitchen. Able to turn oily food, opening in the head can be used to drain oil and liquids.

So far, we have discussed the difference between a spatula and a turner and have also discussed the similarities between the two. Now we will explain how to choose a good and quality turner and spatula.

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How to Choose a Good Spatula and Turner

If you want to get a good and quality spatula according to your needs, please look here on how to choose the best one for you. So, the first thing you should pay attention is the type of spatula and its use. Then also pay attention to the material so that you get a suitability for your task in the kitchen.

While Turner, to get a turner that suits your needs, look for a turner that is thin and slightly bent. beveled edges are another feature of this tool. With a thin character like this, it allows you to flip food easily. Also pay attention to the material, if your turner is made of stainless steel then you can also use it for the purpose of cutting food.

Before choosing a spatula or turner, you must know how. Below are some factors that you should know in choosing the best and quality kitchen equipment for you.

• Choose a tool with a long handle so it is safe for you when the fire is big
• Materials must be of high quality and heat resistant
• The handle should be ergonomic for easy operation
• Has a hanging hole, making it easy for storage
• The handle is sturdy and durable.

That’s the review of spatula vs turner and the similarities between the two. Hopefully this article is useful and can increase your culinary knowledge.