Spoon vs. Spatula — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on May 8, 2024
Spoons are primarily used for stirring and scooping, often made of metal or plastic; spatulas are designed for flipping or spreading, commonly made of silicone, metal, or wood.
Difference Between Spoon and Spatula
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Spoons are essential kitchen utensils designed for scooping or stirring food and liquids, featuring a deep, curved bowl at the end of a handle. Whereas spatulas generally have a flat, wide blade and are used for flipping or spreading foods, making them versatile for cooking and baking.
Spoons often come in a variety of sizes, such as teaspoon and tablespoon, designed specifically for measuring or eating. On the other hand, spatulas may vary from narrow blades suited for tight spaces to large sizes ideal for flipping pancakes.
The material of a spoon typically influences its heat resistance and durability, with metals being common for cooking and plastic for casual use. Spatulas also vary in material, with silicone being popular for its high heat resistance and flexibility.
In terms of cleaning, spoons are usually straightforward to wash and often dishwasher safe, whereas spatulas with their flexible heads can require more detailed cleaning to remove residue from crevices.
Comparison Chart
Primary Use
Scooping and stirring
Flipping and spreading
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Typical Material
Metal, plastic, wood
Silicone, metal, wood
Variants
Teaspoon, tablespoon, serving spoon
Turner, spreader, scraper
Heat Resistance
Usually high in metal spoons
High in silicone spatulas
Ease of Cleaning
Generally dishwasher safe
May require hand washing, especially for silicone with crevices
Compare with Definitions
Spoon
Often used in both cooking and eating.
She ate her cereal with a small breakfast spoon.
Spatula
Requires careful cleaning to maintain hygiene.
He washed the spatula thoroughly after grilling.
Spoon
To dish out or portion with a spoon.
He spooned out soup for dinner.
Spatula
Made of silicone, metal, or wood, each material suitable for different cooking tasks.
His silicone spatula easily scraped the bowl clean.
Spoon
Comes in various sizes like teaspoon or tablespoon.
He measured a teaspoon of sugar for his recipe.
Spatula
A broad, flat, flexible blade used to mix, spread, or lift material.
She used a spatula to flip the pancakes.
Spoon
A utensil with a shallow bowl and a handle used for eating, stirring, or serving.
She used a spoon to stir her coffee.
Spatula
Comes in various forms like turner, spreader, or scraper.
He used a turner spatula to cook the eggs.
Spoon
Metal or plastic designed for durability and heat resistance.
Her new set of metal spoons was perfect for cooking.
Spatula
Essential for baking and cooking for its versatility.
She spread the frosting with a thin spatula.
Spoon
A spoon is a utensil consisting of a small shallow bowl (also known as a head), oval or round, at the end of a handle. A type of cutlery (sometimes called flatware in the United States), especially as part of a place setting, it is used primarily for transferring food to the mouth.
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.
Spoon
A utensil consisting of a small, shallow bowl on a handle, used in preparing, serving, or eating food.
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.
Spoon
A shiny, curved, metallic fishing lure.
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.
Spoon
A paddle or an oar with a curved blade.
Spatula
Chiefly British A tongue depressor.
Spoon
(Sports) A three wood golf club.
Spatula
A kitchen utensil consisting of a flat surface attached to a long handle, used for turning, lifting, or stirring food.
Spoon
To lift, scoop up, or carry with or as if with a spoon.
Spatula
(North America) A kitchen utensil consisting of a flexible surface attached to a long handle, used for scraping the sides of bowls.
Spoon
Sports & Games To shove or scoop (a ball) into the air.
Spatula
(dated) A palette knife.
Spoon
(Informal) To lie down behind and against (another person) so that both bodies face the same direction with the knees drawn up slightly like nested spoons.
Spatula
(chemistry) A thin hand tool, often made of nickel, for handling chemicals or other materials, when weighing, etc.
Spoon
To fish with a spoon lure.
Spatula
A croupier's tool for turning up cards in a casino.
Spoon
Sports & Games To give a ball an upward scoop.
Spatula
(entomology) A sclerotized, T-shaped plate in the prothorax of larvae of flies belonging to family Cecidomyiidae, the gall midges.
Spoon
(Informal) To lie down with another person so that both bodies face the same direction with the knees drawn up slightly like spoons nested in each other.
Spatula
(transitive) To lift with or as if with a spatula.
Spoon
(Informal) To engage in amorous behavior, such as kissing or caressing.
Spatula
(transitive) To strike with a spatula.
Spoon
An implement for eating or serving; a scooped utensil whose long handle is straight, in contrast to a ladle.
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.
Spoon
An implement for stirring food while being prepared; a wooden spoon.
Spatula
A turner with a narrow flexible blade
Spoon
A measure that will fit into a spoon; a spoonful.
Spatula
A hand tool with a thin flexible blade used to mix or spread soft substances
Spoon
A wooden-headed golf club with moderate loft, similar to the modern three wood.
Spoon
(slang) An oar.
Spoon
(fishing) A type of metal lure resembling the concave head of a tablespoon.
Spoon
A spoon excavator.
Spoon
A simpleton, a spooney.
Spoon
A safety handle on a hand grenade, a trigger.
Spoon
(slang) A metaphoric unit of finite physical and mental energy available for daily activities, especially in the context of living with chronic illness or disability.
Spoon
To serve using a spoon; to transfer (something) with a spoon.
Sarah spooned some apple sauce onto her plate.
Spoon
To flirt; to make advances; to court, to interact romantically or amorously.
Spoon
To lie nestled front-to-back, following the contours of the bodies, in a manner reminiscent of stacked spoons.
Spoon
To hit (the ball) weakly, pushing it with a lifting motion, instead of striking with an audible knock.
Spoon
(intransitive) To fish with a concave spoon bait.
Spoon
(transitive) To catch by fishing with a concave spoon bait.
Spoon
Alternative form of spoom
Spoon
See Spoom.
We might have spooned before the wind as well as they.
Spoon
To take up in, or as in, a spoon.
Spoon
To catch by fishing with a spoon bait.
He had with him all the tackle necessary for spooning pike.
Spoon
In croquet, golf, etc., to push or shove (a ball) with a lifting motion, instead of striking with an audible knock.
Spoon
To act with demonstrative or foolish fondness, as one in love.
Spoon
To fish with a spoon bait.
Spoon
In croquet, golf, etc., to spoon a ball.
Spoon
An implement consisting of a small bowl (usually a shallow oval) with a handle, used especially in preparing or eating food.
"Therefore behoveth him a full long spoonThat shall eat with a fiend," thus heard I say.
He must have a long spoon that must eat with the devil.
Spoon
Anything which resembles a spoon in shape; esp. (Fishing), a spoon bait.
Spoon
Fig.: A simpleton; a spooney.
Spoon
A wooden club with a lofted face.
Spoon
A piece of cutlery with a shallow bowl-shaped container and a handle; used to stir or serve or take up food
Spoon
As much as a spoon will hold;
He added two spoons of sugar
Spoon
Formerly a golfing wood with an elevated face
Spoon
Scoop up or take up with a spoon;
Spoon the sauce over the roast
Spoon
Snuggle and lie in a position where one person faces the back of the others
Common Curiosities
Is a wooden spoon better than a plastic spoon?
Wooden spoons are durable and heat resistant, making them better for cooking than plastic spoons which may melt.
Can a spatula be used for cooking on high heat?
Silicone spatulas are recommended for high heat as they do not melt or deform.
Are spoons heat resistant?
Spoons made of metal are generally heat resistant.
What is the primary use of a spoon?
A spoon is primarily used for stirring, scooping, or eating.
Can you use a metal spatula on a non-stick pan?
Using a metal spatula on a non-stick pan can scratch the surface; silicone or plastic is safer.
How should I store my spatulas and spoons?
Store them in a dry place, possibly hung or in a utensil holder to prevent damage.
What are the different types of spatulas?
Spatulas come in types such as turners, spreaders, and scrapers.
How do you clean a spatula with a textured surface?
Cleaning a textured spatula usually requires hand washing with attention to crevices.
What material is most common for kitchen spoons?
Metal and wood are common materials for kitchen spoons.
Why is flexibility important in a spatula?
Flexibility allows a spatula to bend and conform to the surfaces of pans and bowls, making it easier to manipulate food and mixtures.
What size spoon is best for serving soup?
A serving spoon, larger than a tablespoon, is best for serving soup.
Are silicone spoons available?
Yes, silicone spoons are available and are excellent for handling hot substances without conducting heat.
What type of spoon is used for measuring?
Teaspoons and tablespoons are specifically designed for measuring ingredients.
Which spatula is best for flipping eggs?
A flexible silicone or thin metal turner spatula is best for flipping eggs.
What is the difference between a scraper and a spreader spatula?
A scraper is designed to clean mixing bowls and surfaces, whereas a spreader is used for applying and smoothing pastes and creams.
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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.
