A slotted spoon scoops food and lets the liquid run off, which makes it handy for pasta, boiled vegetables, poached eggs and fried foods. The material decides whether it is safe on nonstick pans, and the length decides how far your hand stays from the pot.
The six spoons below include stainless steel, nylon and a steel spoon with a silicone head. Lengths, materials and heat limits come from each product’s listing page. We have not used these spoons ourselves. Heat and durability claims are the makers’ own.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links, and they do not change the product information we give.
What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Material | Steel suits stockpots, nylon and silicone are made for nonstick cookware |
| Length | A longer handle keeps your hand back from the pot |
| Slot pattern | Wide slots drain fast, narrow ones hold small food |
| Grip | A soft handle helps when your hands are wet |
| Care | Most listed spoons are dishwasher safe |
Specs at a Glance
| Spoon | Material | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| OXO steel | Stainless steel | 12.3 in long, 2.75 in wide | Non-slip grip; dishwasher safe |
| OXO nylon | Nylon | 13.3 in long, 2.9 in wide | Heat resistant to 450 F; nonstick safe |
| Calphalon Prime | Stainless steel, silicone head | Not listed | Weighs 0.17 kg; nonstick safe head |
| Chef Craft Select | Stainless steel, plastic handle | 12 in | Made without welding points |
| Cuisinart | Stainless steel | 16 in long, 3 in wide | Limited lifetime warranty |
| Misen | Stainless steel | Not listed | Weighs 0.11 kg; wide slots |
The 6 Best Slotted Spoons
1. OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Slotted Spoon
A stainless steel spoon listed at 12.3 inches long and 2.75 inches wide, sized for straining vegetables and pasta. It has a soft, non-slip handle and is dishwasher safe.
Suits: everyday straining. Strengths: a soft grip and a polished look. Weaknesses: steel can scratch nonstick pans. Skip it if you cook mostly in nonstick pans.
View OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Slotted Spoon on Amazon
2. OXO Good Grips Nylon Slotted Spoon
A black nylon spoon, 13.3 inches long and 2.9 inches wide. The maker says it is heat resistant up to 450 F, safe on nonstick cookware, BPA free and dishwasher safe.
Suits: nonstick pots and pans. Strengths: nylon and a long handle. Weaknesses: a heat limit. Skip it if you need metal for scraping.
View OXO Good Grips Nylon Slotted Spoon on Amazon
3. Calphalon Prime Slotted Spoon Skimmer, Navy Silicone Head
A heavy-gauge stainless steel spoon with a silicone head with slots that the maker says protects nonstick and enameled cookware. The page lists a weight of 0.17 kg but no length, and says it is dishwasher safe.
Suits: mixed cookware. Strengths: steel handle with a silicone head. Weaknesses: no length given. Skip it if you need to know the exact size first.
4. Chef Craft Select Slotted Spoon, 12 Inch
A 12 inch stainless steel spoon with a plastic handle, built without welding points. The listing says the edge can scrape bits from the bottom of a pot and that it is dishwasher safe.
Suits: pot work. Strengths: a scraping edge and no welds. Weaknesses: a plain look. Skip it if you want a silicone head.
View Chef Craft Select Slotted Spoon, 12 inch, Stainless Steel on Amazon
5. Cuisinart Stainless Steel Slotted Spoon
A 16 inch long, 3 inch wide stainless steel spoon with a limited lifetime warranty. The listing calls the styling elegant for serving and says it is dishwasher safe.
Suits: deep pots and serving. Strengths: the longest here and a warranty. Weaknesses: long to store. Skip it if your drawer is short.
View Cuisinart Stainless Steel Slotted Spoon on Amazon
6. Misen Slotted Chef Spoon
A stainless steel draining spoon with wide slots, listed at 0.11 kg. The maker says it suits pasta, blanched vegetables, poached eggs, meatballs and fried foods, and that it is dishwasher safe. No length is given.
Suits: draining and serving. Strengths: wide slots. Weaknesses: no size on the page. Skip it if you need a long handle.
Care and Setup
- Use nylon or silicone heads on nonstick pans.
- Rest the spoon on a rest, not on a hot burner.
- Hand wash if a handle looks worn.
- Check the maker’s heat limit.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Using a steel spoon on a nonstick pan.
- Leaving nylon on a hot pan edge.
- Choosing a short handle for a deep pot.
- Assuming the size when the listing has none.
Slotted Spoon FAQ
Steel or nylon?
Steel suits stockpots and scraping. Nylon and silicone suit nonstick cookware.
What length is best?
Around 12 to 16 inches covers most pots. Check the listing for exact sizes.
The Short Version
For steel with a soft grip, the OXO steel. For nonstick pans, the OXO nylon. For a silicone head, the Calphalon Prime. For scraping a pot, the Chef Craft. For the longest reach, the Cuisinart. For wide slots, the Misen.
