How to Choose a Cutlery Set in the UK - Buying Guide
There are a few important things to consider when deciding on cutlery. The quality of the steel used in the construction, plus the pieces, the place settings and the design all play integral roles in determining the longevity and price of a set. In this simple buying guide you'll come to learn about these significant factors and a few more, too.
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The Percentage of Nickel and Chromium Found in Stainless Steel Is a Good Indicator of Quality
Two numbers that are almost always attached to stainless steel cutlery sets are their chromium and nickel percentages. 18% is a good amount of chromium, while you can find some cheaper sets to have as little as 13%. This chromium gives the steel its rust-resistance as well as a hardened and durable finish, so it is important.
Nickel is a metal that imitates silver through its shiny appearance and heavy weight. That's why high-quality stainless steel cutlery will be coated in a layer of nickel, enhancing its feel and look. Nickel also gives cutlery additional anti-corrosive properties, which in turn will give your set a much longer lifespan.
Everyday stainless steel cutlery will commonly have 0% nickel, while more expensive dinner sets can have up to 10%, equating to a heftier price tag and a longer warranty– something to bear in mind if you are looking for an investment set.
2
Cutlery Sets Can Be Defined by How Many Pieces and Place Settings They Contain
Two easily identifiable yet imperative factors to consider when deciding on a cutlery set are pieces and place settings. Pieces relate to the total amount of cutlery, while place settings refer to how many people a particular set is designed for.
Tailor a Set to Suit Your Style of Dining When Looking at Pieces
Some of the smallest sets will contain four forks, four spoons and four knives, resulting in a 12-piece cutlery set. While this will just about get most smaller households by for day-to-day use, as soon as you set a date for a dinner party you'll quickly start to realise all the cutlery you don't have.
A good size to consider, then, is a 24-piece set, where you'll find sixforks, spoons, and knives, and the welcome addition of six teaspoons. This will have you and your potential guests dining for dinner and dessert, all with the same stylish set of cutlery.
Upwards of a 24-piece set, there's really no limit to the amount of cutlery you can buy – some will cover you for full three-course meals and beyond. When total piece numbers start to rise, breaking down individual item numbers becomes key as you'll notice items like serving spoons being thrown in the mix in quantities of one or two.
The Number of Place Settings Is All About Having More Than Enough
The place setting quantity refers to how many people a particular set caters for. Whether it's a fine dining set or a basic everyday set, place settings will always reference the individual number of each type of cutlery, designed for one person in mind.
Usually, this is a nice and respectable six. This will suit most families, but it will have its limitations when hosting a larger dinner party or birthday meal. If you're serious about the dining experience, you can find cutlery sets to have up to ten place settings, although this is not very common.
Another way to avoid not having enough or scraping together mix-matched cutlery in a mad dash is to buy two of the same cutlery set. While one is being used as the predominant set, you can have a back-up set stashed away for when the occasion calls for it.
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Deciding on the Style of Your Cutlery Set Is the Fun Part
Charles Bukowski said it right when he said, "Style is the answer to everything", and this sentiment is certainly not lost when it comes to cutlery. Cutlery should represent your own unique style, so therefore, choosing a set that's going to find its place in your kitchen, on your dining table and within its surroundings is the key to cutlery success.
Modern Cutlery Is Minimal by Style and Nature
Modern cutlery sets are very popular as more and more people are opting for a minimal style of home. Clean lines, empty spaces and neutral colours all go hand in hand with a smart, low-key set of cutlery on the table. Plus, the simpler the style, the more likely it is to go withany future decor or table setup.
You can find the most stylish of sets to be completely free of any markings with elegantly finished-off edges, giving a clear stamp of modern style to your dining experience. These modern designs also aid the cleaning process, ensuring no food residue is left behind.
Another modern touch that is gaining a lot of traction is cutlery that has very little curvature where the hand rests. This straight and simple design helps to bring on a modern charm that oozes chic sensibility.
Period Cutlery Evokes a Sense to the Lost World of Extravagance and Prestige
Many of us feel a certain sentiment when looking back on the past. From the Victorian era of excess to ingenuity, they were able to host and dazzle their dinner guests with up to 24 pieces of cutlery designed for each stately-presented seat.
These days you can find new cutlery sets which are an ode to the past with very well-made look-alikeivory handles, decorative markings and bold curves. Some brands even so far as to make their cutlery shine and sparkle like gold-plated relics of centuries past – perfect for a traditionally-styled home or a grand celebration.
Help the Kids Learn How to Eat With Suitable Cutlery
Watching the kids learn to eat with unsuitable cutlery is a painstaking affair. Almost like they have two left shoes on their hands, it's a mismatched endeavour that will send either you or them out of the room screaming.
That's why a lot of brands have focused their attention on creating the ideal cutlery for kids of any age. From 12-24 months right the way up to 7+ years, everyone has been taken care of. Most chilrden's cutlery will have plastic handles attached to stainless steel ends, but it's smart to lookfor short and widened spoons, forks and knives to minimise mess.
Common style trends include plastic handles with playful and bright designs and themed sets from cartoons, while some brands hone in on material with 100% organic bamboo that is BPA-, paint- and coating-free. Look for this for added reassurance that what is going in your kid's mouth won't harm them!
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Check Whether a Cutlery Set Is Dishwasher Safe
Dishwashers can be a lifeblood when keeping up with modern life, especially if you have a bustling family that churns out dishes and cutlery like nobody's business. If this rings true, then checking to see whether a cutlery set is dishwasher-safe will save you time and can prolong your cutlery's lifespan.
Most chefs and foodies hand wash their cooking knives, helping to keep the dishwasher from inevitably blunting them. This same notion should be applied to your home's cutlery set if it's of a higher standard, so if you're investing in something special then expect to wash at least your knives and possibly all of your cutlery.
Other styles to be aware of include finished cutlery, such as those made to look like copper, silver and gold, as their finish will fade and lose its shine quicker from dishwasher cleaning. It's also worth checking any kid's plastic cutlery before you buy, as it can warp and sometimes even melt in the hot temperatures of a dishwasher.
