Looking for a new set of Mixing Bowls

[woodchick]

I have been using the same two plastic mixing bowls for 8 years.  They're old and gross and I'd like to upgrade.  My inlaws are on my back about what I'd like for Christmas (bless them!) and I thought this might just fit the bill.

Can you all help me find some (ideally with links)?

Here's my wish list, in no particular order:

-hard to break

-easy to stack and store

-set of two to five in varying sizes

-basic enough for mixing pancake batter, but

-nice enough looking to bring a salad to the Potluck

-environmentally friendly (and health friendly!)

Thank you!

[HollyBearsMom]

I bought a set of glass nesting bowls that run from really small (good for prep) and really big (good for meatloaf, letting bread dough rise, etc). I got them at WS but have seen at target for a lot less, but lighter/less sturdy. I have had for about 5 years now without a chip or crack.  Easy to store and clean.  Love them!

Couldn't find on the WS site but did find a similiar set here:

http://www.surlatable.com/product/nested+glass+mixing+bowl+set.do?keyword=glass+bowl&sortby=ourPicks

[woodchick]

I was just looking at that set at WS, HBM!  There were a few reviews that said it chipped easily, it's nice to hear that you're have held up well.

Thanks!

[mich]

I love bowls. I have some of my grandma's mixing bowls, some of my mom's, and some I have purchased. I'm a sucker for kitchen bowls and pitchers.

I have a melamine 6 bowl set I got years ago from Crate and Barrel that I use a lot for snacks and informal party serving. I have a Pyrex set I get somewhere that I don't use much, the glass feels heavy and I am more concerned about breaking it. I use all Pyrex for the smaller size bowls, and food storage, but not large mixing. My go-to bowl, when I'm not using my mixer, is a stainless steel bowl with a silicon bottom. It's light, easy to grab, easy to clean. I have so many sets, and do use a lot of them. But this one bowl get the most use by far.

Have fun shopping!

[Drummer's Wife]

I have this set from Crate & Barrel - except that they are a couple years old, and a darker color scheme (red, green, blue).  I don't know that they fit all of your wants, but I like them just fine. They are all I know besides the huge stainless steel one I use when I need something to hold, like, 4 times the recipe. 

5-Piece Parker Bowl Set Crate&Barrel

[sunnysandiegan]

We recently got a set of four mixing bowls from Costco that are simply AWESOME!!! They are stainless steel with a silicone outside bottom to provide good traction. They nest very well and they come with a set of plastic lids. The three bowls on the small end are perfect for mixing just about anything. The largest bowl is really big and DH uses it for popcorn and is VERY happy with it. They are Kirkland brand.

ETA: We also have two nesting glass mixing bowl sets. They did not come with lids and are heavy. I like them, but DH and DD do not. We tend to use these for organization more than anything else. The largest holds all of the measuring cups and funnels and such in the cabinet with the mixing bowls. The smallest holds other stuff somewhere (crafts) and I haven't seen the medium one in awhile. The second set is with the other mixing bowls, but tucked back in the corner and not easy to access.

We replaced a melamine set with the new SS set, but we did keep the largest melamine bowl because it has a pour spout and handle, which is really handy for certain recipes. That set also has the gripper bottoms, which makes mixing things and frantic cooking so much easier! :lol  I really wish our Kitchenaid stand mixer bowl came with a gripper bottom....the shape of that thing makes it so easy to knock over.

Edited by sunnysandiegan - 11/17/10 at 9:38am

[swd12422]

I was going to suggest looking at Crate and Barrel too... We have a clear glass Pyrex set (inexpensive, esp at an outlet, hard to break, and decent enough for the table, although not very decorative). I love it. I've had it for more years than I care to admit, and use it for everything from fruit to mixing to popcorn to serving.

[yeahwhat]

I have stainless steel with silicone bottom mixing bowls too.  They nest together so that they don't take up any more space than the largest bowl.  The largest is perfect for letting 2 loaves worth of bread dough rise.  They're fairly light, and no risk of chipping or denting.

[Arduinna]

I've had that Williams Sonoma stacked glass bowl set for years and it's never chipped. I do tend to take good care of my things though.

[ollyoxenfree]

I have a nested set of stainless steel that are useful for a lot of tasks. They are pretty generic and I think I got them at a department store about 25 years ago. 

I have a set of vintage Pyrex cinderella bowls that I like using if I need a non-reactive bowl. I love using them - something about the weight and shape of them appeals to me, along with the knowledge that they've been used to make good food for almost half a century (not by me!). 

I've been considering the glass nesting bowls from WS, because I'd like more variety in sizes. I was concerned about the chipping issue, so it's nice to get some positive reviews.  

I'm also considering getting at least one copper bowl, but I'm not sure that I beat egg whites often enough to make it a worthwhile purchase. 

[L J]

I have the Pyrex glass mixing bowls with silicon lids. With the exception of a couple of vintage casserole dishes from my mama, everything in my kitchen for storage is the Pyrex with lids. I love it. I'm a big fan of my dishwasher, and these handle the dish washer very well and come clean. They are sturdy enough that I can let my 3 year old put them up without worrying if he drops one. And they are super cheap - I saw this set at the outlet mall yesterday for $19.99.

[cristeen]

What i did was go to Ikea. They have lovely ss bowls in a variety of sizes. Theyre nice and deep instead of shallow and wide like so many. I got 4 of the itty bitty ones (1oz?), 5'of the next size (10 oz or so), 3 of the everyday size (maybe 6-8 c), and 1 each of the bigger sizes. The biggest size is the largest bowl i have, by far. I can make my pasta salad recipe in it that starts w 3 lbs of uncooked pasta and still have room left. I much prefer open stock to "sets", so i can buy precisely what i need.