Alexandra Ramirez
1. Oneida Mooncrest
Best Overall Flatware Set
5/5 Product Rating
These extras will have you serving up the most elegant dinners with the style and durability you’ve always wanted. The mooncrest pattern, which is where the set derived its name, is stylish yet understated and can pair nicely with existing flatware. It is a simple but elegant design that will fit most home décor’s. This set is designed for everyday use and comes with a 25 year warranty.
– Sarah Lytle
2. Lenox
Best Overall Flatware Set- Runner Up
4.8/5 Product Rating
It has an elegant and neutral design that easily matches any home décor, all color scheme, and any style plating. This set is designed to be tarnish resistant and dishwasher safe. Included with the 13 setting 5 piece flatware set is a hostess set which includes one sugar spoon, one butter serving knife, one cold meat fork, one serving tablespoon, and one pierced tablespoon. With these accessories you have you serving up meals large or small with style and elegance.
– Sarah Lytle
3. Fiesta
Best Budget Flatware Set
4.5/5 Product Rating
The 5 piece set includes a lapis salad fork, scarlet dinner fork, lemon grass dinner knife, a tangerine dinner spoon, and a cobalt teaspoon. The fiesta merengue flatware set is crafted from 18/0 stainless steel with ABS plastic handles making each piece dishwasher safe, and easy to clean. They are designed with both quality and function in mind. Each head is a heavy weight stainless steel and the plastic designed handles are comfortable in your hand and easy to control.
– Sarah Lytle
Flatware Set Buying Guide
What is a Flatware Set?
Flatware sets are essential in our everyday lives. Whether you are looking to replace an existing set, are just starting out and choosing your first set, or adding to what you already own, you want to choose a design and quality that will best fit your lifestyle. Before choosing a flatware set for your family consider the following:
How Many People Will You Be Serving? The first thing you want to consider before selecting a flatware set is how many people will be using them. Each flatware set is identified first by how many pieces it contains. Consider not only the size of your family but also how often you entertain and how often you wash dishes. Will this be your primary set of flatware or placed in a picnic basket for days at the park. If you want a smaller set but need to serve more people you can purchase two or three sets to meet the volume of flatware you need for everyday use.
What Will Best Compliment Your Already Existing flatware? Unless you’re starting your flatware collection from scratch another question you may want to consider before selecting a flatware set, is what will fit best with the flatware you already own. Flatware comes in a wide variety of styles and material. It can have intricate designs, simple designs and even an array of colors.
How Will the Flatware Be Used? Will this set be used on formal occasions or as everyday ware? Will it be used occasionally for outdoor picnics, camping, and on to go applications or for sit down meals in your home. When sets are used for entertaining often classier sets are appropriate while for only your family you may want a more casual set. If mostly children will be served a more casual set may be called for, than if mostly adults will use the flatware.
What Materials Will Best Suit Your Needs? Flatware sets like many other things can be crafted from a wide variety of materials each having their own pros and cons. Some examples of materials that flatware may be crafted from are gold, stainless steel, various metals, or hard plastic. These different materials all give a different feel to your meals, will last different lengths of time, and require different care. Silver flatware sets, for example, require frequent polishing, but are some of the most elegant flatware available. Stainless steel flatware is more durable and can be run through the dishwasher, but may have a tendency to rust if water remains on them after cleaning.
There are also several differences with the life span of each material. Gold and stainless steel flatware have a longer life span than light metals or hard plastic. If you have a fast paced life style it may be more practical for you to have flatware that can easily be cleaned and doesn’t require polishing. In another scenario someone with young children may opt for plastic flatware for safety reasons as well as easier and less expensive replacement.
How About Accessories? When looking at flatware sets some include serving sets or hostess sets that match the flatware. Accessories might include serving spoons, pierced or slotted servings spoons, serving butter knives, and an assortment of other table top accessories. This could be beneficial to someone trying to build their kitchen accessories or wanting to have the serving sets match with the flatware.
Features To Consider
When choosing a flatware set there will be an array of features you can choose from, some that will better benefit your lifestyle choices, eating, habits and already existing flatware. Addressing each possible feature may provide you with a better idea of what you are looking for and better fulfill those needs and desires. Some features that are available in flatware sets for consideration are:
Materials Flatware sets can be made from a variety of different materials, giving them each a unique and distinct function. Some examples of these materials would be plastic, metals, stainless steel, gold, silver and pewter. The material you choose will determine both the weight and care of the flatware. Lighter metals or plastic material is lighter and easier to grip, which is a great quality for children. Where silver, pewter, and stainless steel comes in different grades than can be from light to heavy depending on the design and brand. 18/10 stainless steel is considered a top quality stainless steel that balances the weight and longevity for a perfect balance.
Prongs on flatware set are the sharp points at the top of fork. Forks will come in three, four or five prong designs. Forks with five prongs are the most commonly found and are ideal for most meals because they allow you to handle meats and vegetables effectively.
Color Flatware sets may be offered in a variety of colors. Silver is the most common color used, although gold, white and multi color sets are becoming more common. Silver is popular because it is neutral and can fit most plate designs, with the individual taste reflected in the design on the utensils rather than the color giving them a neutral nature which pairs better with existing flatware. Brightly or even multi colored flatware sets are great for casual dining and serving with children. Bold colors are also a great way to bring a pop of color to your dining room table and may even be a conversational piece.
Ends The end of your flatware will be the base, where you hold and grip each piece of silverware. This end of the flatware sets will often contain a unique design. You should also consider the comfortable grip it provides, especially when serving children. Some handles are flat where others have a rounded handle. Some ends will be wider that others which can impact the comfort of handling.
Flatware Care will depend on the type of material you select. This will determine not only how you clean but how you will store them as well. Flatware that is sensitive to rust should be kept in low moisture locations. Some are dishwasher safe which adds to the convenience. Silver and gold flatware will need to be polished frequently, while stainless steel or hard plastic may be dishwasher safe.
Conclusion
Flatware sets are popular wedding gifts and are often first bought when young adults are setting up their first apartment. Flatware sets are also bought when you move, want to upgrade your set or simply want to add to what you already have. Whether you are looking for a special occasion set or every day ware, choosing a quality material and a design that fits your taste will ensure many years of enjoyment. Flatware sets can easily set the tone of your dinner table, accent your room décor, along with feeding your family and friends.
