Forks, knives, and spoons are the common silverware needed for your dinner table. Each of these silverware has a specific use, and hence you should have the right silverware.
In this article, you will get to know about the different materials used to make silverware. You will also understand the pros and cons of each, which will help you decide which silverware are needed for your home.
Interested to know more about silverware?
Read on to know more about the 19 different types of silverware you can purchase!
A. Types of Silverware
1. Table Knife
Table etiquette calls for using the right knife to cut your food. Knives are one of the most important cutlery items on the dinner table. Table knives are general-purpose knives that can be used for different types of foods. You need to have many table knives as a part of your silverware.
It is important to have separate table knives. Using another knife like a butter knife won’t help. The table knife is sharp and makes it easy to cut food. Since these knives are one of the important pieces of silverware, you need to get high-quality table knives.
2. Butter Knife
Bread is often regarded as one of the most important food during meals, specifically during breakfast. When applying butter to your bread piece, the butter knife is the best utensil for this job. Any other type of silverware used may cause holes in the bread piece, or the result may be uneven. This is why you need butter knives.
You need to have a set of butter knives that are high quality in nature. Butter knives are mostly made from stainless steel and are durable. They will serve you for a long time. Since you use these knives daily, take a little effort to choose the best ones.
3. Steak Knife
Steak would form part of the menu for most lunches and dinners. Steaks are cuts of meat that are quite tough. You need a sharp knife to cut the steak. This is why steak knives have been made. They are made in such a way that it makes it easy to cut steak while having a meal. With the best steak knife, your dining experience will be enjoyable without struggling to cut meat.
Steak knives are available in different sizes. You can get a set of these knives since they are handy. Apart from buying them for your home, you can also gift steak knives to your friends or your family.
4. Dessert Knife
If you have cake or a pastry for dessert, it would be nice to have a dessert knife to cut it. Desserts can be soft and creamy, and if you don’t use the right type of knife, it can cause a mess. This is why many people prefer to have a good quality dessert knife. These knives are perfect to use for all kinds of desserts that call for a knife to be used.
While many people don’t use dessert knives, it is always better to have them in your knife set. They complete your silverware set and add a class touch when laid on the table. It is also convenient for guests who will find it easy to have dessert with suitable knives.
5. Salad Forks
When we talk about forks, the most common one is the salad fork. These forks are exclusively used to eat salads. People aware of table etiquette would know that there are different forks, knives, and spoons. Each of these is meant for a specific purpose. To eat a salad, you would need a salad fork and not any other fork.
However, in practice, people don’t follow etiquette strictly. As a result, salad forks are used for other means. In fact, the salad fork is large in size that it can be used to eat other foods. The salad fork is an essential item in your glassware since it can be used as a general-purpose fork.
6. Dinner Forks
As the name suggests, this type of fork is used for dinner. The forks are large and convenient to use, making them suitable for eating meat dishes or other main courses at dinner. These forks are one of the most important pieces of silverware needed at your house.
Dinner forks are made from steel and would have a utilitarian design. They form a part of dinner utensils that are needed to serve dinner. You can get them as a set with other utensils, making them cost-effective to buy.
7. Oyster Forks
If you eat oysters frequently or plan to serve oysters at dinner, then you will need this fork. This is a special type of fork meant exclusively to eat oysters. The fork is designed in such a way that you can open the shell and take the oyster out of it. Apart from oysters, it can also be used for other shellfish.
Not everyone serves oysters regularly, so this fork may not be essential for your kitchen. In case you want to have a complete set of forks for all occasions, then you can keep a set of these forks. You never know when you will need them.
An interesting bit of information about this type of fork is that it is the only fork you place on the right side of your plate while dining. Using other forks may not meet the requirement of cracking open an oyster shell and eating it.
8. Dessert Forks
When you need a fork to eat dessert, then you cannot use the salad or dinner fork. You need to use only the dessert fork. This is what etiquette demands. The dessert fork is just apt to use to eat a dessert dish. If you are very particular about dining etiquette, then you need to buy a sufficient number of dessert forks.
The dessert forks are not very expensive, and you can buy a sufficient quantity for your dinnerware. These types of forks are quality silverware and will serve you well for a long time. You can buy sets of these silverware to be used whenever the occasion demands. They would be a useful addition to your utensil sets.
9. Teaspoon
The most common type of spoon is the teaspoon. As the name suggests, these spoons are meant for teacups (and also the coffee cup). You will use teaspoons to stir the sugar in tea or coffee. They can also be used to stir other drinks to ensure they are mixed well. Since they are spoons, they can even be used to eat soft food.
Teaspoons are a must in your silverware set. You should ideally buy multiple sets of teaspoons since they are the most common type of spoons needed for the dinner table. You will get teaspoons along with other silverware in a set, so equip your home with the best type of teaspoons.
10. Tablespoon
Tablespoons are another common type of spoons used in most homes. While the teaspoon is used for mixing tea/coffee, the tablespoon is used as a primary utensil for eating. Anything that can be eaten with a spoon can be consumed using a tablespoon. This is a general-purpose spoon that can be used to eat cereals, drink soup, and also ice cream.
Since this is a common type of spoon, you will need sufficient sets of tablespoons. The tablespoon is a must on the table, so look for one that is visually appealing. When placed on the table, it must match well with the other silverware displayed.
11. Soup Spoon
Soup is the most common item served on the dining table. A separate spoon for drinking soup is called for. While you can always use a tablespoon, it is more convenient to use a soup spoon.
You need to buy a set of soup spoons. You should be able to find soup spoons that match the other silverware you have. If you are buying silverware sets, you will get soup spoons with it. You can also purchase these spoons separately if you need them.
12. Bouillon Spoon
A bouillon spoon is a very special type of spoon. It is a soup spoon but meant for very light soups and not for heavy ones.
Generally, light soups are served as an appetizer. The bouillon spoon is smaller and suited for this kind of soup. While these spoons are not commonly used, if you serve light soups frequently, you can consider buying these spoons.
13. Dessert Spoon
Your silverware set will be complete if you have dessert spoons. When you have spoons for soup and steak, you need a special spoon for eating dessert. While some desserts need a fork, most others require a spoon. Whether you want to eat custard or any other soft dessert, you need a dessert spoon for it.
The dessert spoon differs from a regular spoon. The spoons are uniquely designed and have edges that make it convenient to eat the dessert. This makes it easier to eat desserts. Get a few of these dessert spoons and make your silverware set complete. If you want to impress your guests by having a complete set of silverware, then you need dessert spoons. You can get them with silverware sets or buy them separately at retail stores.
14. Sporks
A spork is a special type of silverware. As you would have guessed from its name, it is a spoon and a fork integrated into one utensil. Theoretically, it seems very useful. You can use it as a spoon, and it has the capability of a fork. Sporks are not very common, and they are not part of silverware sets.
If you feel that your dining table would be enhanced by using these useful silverware, you can get them from retail stores or online from any of the top websites.
B) Materials
1. Stainless Steel
Silverware is not made from silver but from stainless steel. This is the most common type of material used to make silverware.
For a very long time, stainless steel has been used to make silverware. Most silverware sold in the market are made from stainless steel, as it is the best material. It is highly durable, making it a cost-effective option to buy.
Apart from the durability, stainless steel silverware is easy to maintain. It is sturdy and can withstand cleaning in dishware. So, once you are done using the silverware, you may put them in the dishwasher without worrying if they can withstand it.
While this silverware is durable, the other reason to use stainless steel silverware is its looks. Stainless steel is visually appealing, and the silverware would be visually appealing. These types of silverware come in different designs. The ornate designs and the material used for the handle enhance their appeal. This makes the silverware look good when used on a formal occasion.
Stainless steel silverware is cost-effective since you need to buy a few silverware sets for your regular use. Once purchased, they last for long, and you don’t have to worry about replacing them.
2. Bamboo
Bamboo, an eco-friendly product, is an interesting choice for silverware sets. Of course, the entire silverware would not be made from bamboo. The bamboo is usually used in the handle or to create a stylish appearance for the silverware. Silverware with bamboo handles will stand out on your dining table.
Bamboo is a sturdy material, so you need not worry about damage to the handle. You can use silverware made from bamboo many times, and it will stand up to rough use. Washing these bamboo silverware items is also used. You can safely place it in the dishwasher without having to worry. The handle can take the pressure of water in the dishwasher.
If impressing guests is your objective, then you can definitely consider buying a bamboo set of silverware. They are different from the common silverware sets found in the market. They would definitely stand out and add charm to the dining table. The combination of steel and bamboo would be visually appealing.
3. Titanium
Titanium, as you are probably aware, is a very durable metal. It is also expensive. If you are looking for the best silverware that is aesthetically pleasing and durable, then you can consider titanium.
You must know that the silverware is not made from titanium. It is made from stainless steel. The product is then coated with titanium to give it a great finish. The titanium coating makes the silverware strong and long-lasting.
There is no doubt that silverware with titanium plating looks a class apart from the regular silverware. With the added advantage of durability, you must consider titanium silverware if you want a touch of class. They are a bit more expensive compared to the stainless steel sets, but it is worth investing in since it lasts long.
Another advantage of titanium silverware is the color. Usually, this silverware have a copper tinge to it. This makes it look distinctive in appearance. It looks different from the silver appearance, which is common. If you are looking for a different type of silverware, then opt for titanium-plated silverware. It has a charming appearance that is appealing.
4. Plastic Silverware
If you are having a large party or a family reunion, one thought that will scare you is the cleaning up. Cleaning all the silverware after the event is a tedious job. If you have too many guests and don’t have sufficient silverware, don’t worry. You can get disposable plastic silverware. These are the best option for events with more guests. Once the dinner is over, there is no need to worry about cleaning up; just dispose of the plastic silverware.
Because they are made from plastic, you need not be concerned about their utility. You do have cheap plastic silverware that can break. This is why you need to look for good quality plastic silverware that is sturdy and will serve its purpose of being used for one day. Plastic silverware is cheap, so you can buy them for your event and make it a trouble-free experience.
There is a concern about the impact of this silverware on the environment. It is a well-known fact that plastic is not biodegradable. Throwing plastic away adds to the global problem of disposing of plastic. You have to choose between convenience and the moral dilemma of using products that are not good for the environment. If you are truly concerned about the environment, then consider buying silverware made from birch wood.
If convenience is more important, then go ahead and order plastic silverware sets. They are suitable for dinners, parties, and events where you don’t want to spend time washing up. These silverware sets would have all you need for an event, ranging from plates to spoons and forks to knives, all made from plastic. They are relatively inexpensive and good to use.
5. Birchwood Silverware
If the idea of using plastic offends your sensibilities, then go ahead and choose birchwood as the material for silverware. It is not just the top part of the silverware but the entire body made from birchwood. This is a plant material that is strong and durable. The best part about birchwood is that it is 100% biodegradable. You don't have to worry about its effect on the environment.
Unlike plastic, birchwood does not harm the environment. Disposing of it is not a problem at all. As you would have understood by now, birchwood is a disposable type of silverware. You can use it once or at the most for a couple of times before disposing of it. Once you are done using it, the silverware can be sent for recycling or can be used as compost material.
It is not presentable after usage. This is why it is best to dispose of it. It is best suited for parties and events to avoid the problem of washing up after the party is over.
The birchwood silverware is relatively inexpensive. You don’t have to spend too much on these products. When your requirement is convenient, you can order a complete set of birchwood silverware for your party or other events.
