Spatula vs. Turner — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on April 4, 2024
A spatula is a broad, flat tool used for mixing or spreading, while a turner has a flat surface designed for flipping or turning food.
Difference Between Spatula and Turner
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Spatulas are often made from silicone, rubber, or plastic, making them ideal for scraping bowls without scratching. On the other hand, turners are typically made from metal or heat-resistant plastic, designed to withstand high temperatures while cooking.
Spatulas come in a variety of shapes, including rounded or square edges, suited for different tasks like mixing ingredients or spreading icing. Whereas turners usually have a flat or slightly curved shape, perfect for sliding under food in a pan to flip or remove it.
The flexibility of a spatula is one of its defining features, allowing it to conform to the shape of a bowl or container for efficient scraping. In contrast, turners are rigid, providing the necessary support to lift and flip food items without bending.
While spatulas are commonly used in baking for mixing batter and frosting cakes, turners are more often seen in frying and grilling scenarios, where solid food needs to be maneuvered in a pan or on a grill.
Spatulas often have a longer handle to keep hands away from food and heat sources during mixing. Turners, however, have handles that are designed to provide a comfortable grip and control when flipping food, which might require closer proximity to the heat.
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Comparison Chart
Material
Silicone, rubber, plastic
Metal, heat-resistant plastic
Shape
Broad, flat, with rounded or square edges
Flat or slightly curved
Flexibility
Flexible
Rigid
Primary Use
Mixing, spreading
Flipping, turning
Handle Length
Longer for distance from heat
Shorter for control and flipping
Compare with Definitions
Spatula
Flexible and non-scratch.
The silicone spatula scraped the bowl clean without a scratch.
Turner
Designed to withstand high heat.
His turner didn't melt, even on the hot grill.
Spatula
A tool for mixing ingredients.
She used a spatula to fold the flour into the batter.
Turner
A kitchen utensil for turning food.
She flipped the pancakes using a stainless steel turner.
Spatula
Used for spreading substances.
He smoothed the icing over the cake with a spatula.
Turner
Rigid for support.
The rigid edge of the turner easily slid under the fish.
Spatula
Essential in baking.
No baker's toolkit is complete without a reliable spatula.
Turner
Often used in frying and grilling.
He preferred a metal turner for grilling burgers.
Spatula
Varied shapes for specific tasks.
Her square-edged spatula was perfect for spreading batter evenly.
Turner
Short handle for maneuverability.
The turner's short handle made flipping eggs easier.
Spatula
A spatula is a broad, flat, flexible blade used to mix, spread and lift material including foods, drugs, plaster and paints. In medical applications, "spatula" may also be used synonymously with tongue depressor.The word spatula derives from the Latin word for a flat piece of wood or splint, a diminutive form of the Latin spatha, meaning 'broadsword', and hence can also refer to a tongue depressor.
Turner
One that turns, especially a person who operates a lathe or similar device.
Spatula
A small implement having a straight handle and a broad, flexible blade that is used to mix or spread semiliquid substances
Used a spatula to apply the joint compound.
Turner
A gymnast or tumbler, especially a member of a turnverein.
Spatula
A small implement having an angled handle and a broad, flat blade that is used in cooking or serving food
Flipped the pancakes with a spatula.
Turner
One who or that which turns.
Spatula
Chiefly British A tongue depressor.
Turner
A person who turns and shapes wood etc. on a lathe
Spatula
A kitchen utensil consisting of a flat surface attached to a long handle, used for turning, lifting, or stirring food.
Turner
A kitchen utensil used for turning food.
Spatula
(North America) A kitchen utensil consisting of a flexible surface attached to a long handle, used for scraping the sides of bowls.
Turner
(zoology) A variety of pigeon; a tumbler.
Spatula
(dated) A palette knife.
Turner
(cricket) A very dry pitch on which the ball will turn with ease.
Spatula
(chemistry) A thin hand tool, often made of nickel, for handling chemicals or other materials, when weighing, etc.
Turner
An acrobat or gymnast, especially (historical) a member of the German Turnvereine, German-American gymnastic clubs that also served as nationalist political groups.
Spatula
A croupier's tool for turning up cards in a casino.
Turner
(sports) A person who practices athletic or gymnastic exercises.
Spatula
(entomology) A sclerotized, T-shaped plate in the prothorax of larvae of flies belonging to family Cecidomyiidae, the gall midges.
Turner
One who turns; especially, one whose occupation is to form articles with a lathe.
Spatula
(transitive) To lift with or as if with a spatula.
Turner
A variety of pigeon; a tumbler.
Spatula
(transitive) To strike with a spatula.
Turner
A person who practices athletic or gymnastic exercises.
Spatula
An implement shaped like a knife, flat, thin, and somewhat flexible, used for spreading paints, fine plasters, drugs in compounding prescriptions, etc. Cf. Palette knife, under Palette.
Turner
United States slave and insurrectionist who in 1831 led a rebellion of slaves in Virginia; he was captured and executed (1800-1831)
Spatula
A turner with a narrow flexible blade
Turner
United States endocrinologist (1892-1970)
Spatula
A hand tool with a thin flexible blade used to mix or spread soft substances
Turner
English landscape painter whose treatment of light and color influenced the French impressionists (1775-1851)
Turner
United States historian who stressed the role of the western frontier in American history (1861-1951)
Turner
A tumbler who is a member of a turnverein
Turner
A lathe operator
Turner
Cooking utensil having a flat flexible part and a long handle; used for turning or serving food
Common Curiosities
Are turners safe to use on non-stick pans?
Yes, but use a turner made from plastic or silicone to avoid scratching the pan.
How do I choose between a spatula and a turner?
Consider the task: use a spatula for mixing and spreading, and a turner for flipping and turning food.
Is a spatula or turner better for baking?
A spatula is generally better for baking tasks like mixing batter and spreading frosting.
Can a spatula be used for flipping food?
While some spatulas can flip food, turners are specifically designed for this task, offering better support.
Can metal turners be used on all cookware?
Metal turners are not recommended for non-stick cookware as they can scratch the surface.
Why do some spatulas have holes?
Holes can reduce resistance for easier stirring and mixing.
Can turners be used for baking?
While not ideal, turners can be used for baking tasks like removing cookies from a sheet.
How do I clean a turner?
Most turners are dishwasher safe, but check the manufacturer's instructions.
Can I use a plastic spatula on a hot pan?
Yes, if it's made from heat-resistant plastic.
Do I need both a spatula and a turner in my kitchen?
Yes, having both utensils is beneficial as they serve different purposes.
What's the best material for a spatula?
Silicone is popular for its heat resistance and flexibility.
Are there different sizes of spatulas and turners?
Yes, they come in various sizes for different cooking and baking needs.
Are silicone spatulas heat resistant?
Yes, silicone spatulas are heat resistant, making them safe for cooking tasks.
What type of turner is best for fish?
A slotted turner with a thin edge is best for gently flipping fish.
What's the difference between a slotted and solid turner?
Slotted turners allow grease to drain, while solid turners do not.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
