Which Is Better Mixing Bowl? – Plastic Vs. Glass Vs. Stainless Steel

Mixing bowls are an essential need in every kitchen. These bowls are useful in so many ways. Whether it is stirring ingredients, storing leftovers, measuring ingredients before using them, serving salad or another dish, or marinating food items for the grill, these bowls are multipurpose and versatile. Mixing bowls comes in a broad range of materials, sizes, designs, and prices.

Material is one of the most important things when it comes to buying a mixing bowl. Generally, these bowls come in three different materials, i.e., Stainless Steel, Glass, and Plastic. Each of these materials has its own pros and cons. To make the right selection of the mixing bowl, it requires a good understanding of each of them.

Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl

Buy From Amazon

SaleBestseller No. 1

FineDine Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls Set for Kitchen, Dishwasher Safe Nesting Bowls for Cooking, Baking, Meal Prepping

• SIZED FOR EVERY TASK - With A range of 6 Sizes—¾, 1.5, 3, 4, 5, and 8 quart—metal mixing bowls add versatility and functionality to your kitchen. For all-purpose kitchen workhorses from prepping, mixing, stirring, to kneading dough like a pro
• STAINLESS STEEL - Features an attractive mirror finish for an elegant look enhancing your kitchen. These metal bowls are easy to clean as well as odor, stain and taste resistant
• DURABLE YET LIGHTWEIGHT - Our lightweight stainless-steel bowls—ideal for everyday tasks—are made from freezer- and dishwasher-safe, durable, shatterproof materials to last a lifetime
• ERGONOMICALLY DESIGNED - The wide rolled rims allow for drip-free pouring and a solid grip. Flat bases provide balance and stability for tossing salads, whipping creams etc. Capacity marked outside bowls for easy identification
• NEST FOR SPACE SAVING - These salad bowls—or serving bowls—seamlessly nest together and offer space-efficient storage that helps declutter kitchen cupboards. Mixing bowls for kitchen mixing bowl sets for kitchen

−15%

Buy on Amazon

Bestseller No. 2

Cuisinart Mixing Bowl Set, Stainless Steel, 3-Piece, CTG-00-SMB

• 1-1/2-Quart, 3-Quart and 5-Quart sized bowls
• High quality stainless steel
• Dishwasher safe
• Freezer safe
• Refrigerator safe

Buy on Amazon

Bestseller No. 3

JCXivan 3 Plastic Mixing Bowls with Pour Spout,Lids and TPR Non-Slip Bottom,3Qt,2Qt,1.5Qt,Nesting Bowl Set for Kitchen Prep,Baking,Storage Food,Batter,BPA free,Dishwasher Safe,Easy to Grip,White

• NON-SLIP BASE:Each bowl with a TPR base made the bowl don’t slip around while mixing.and the non toxic bowl has the pourable lip on one side matched with a grippy handle on the other side.the handle and nonskid bottom make to work easily.Work great for soapmaking.
• “ V ”POUR SPOUTS DESIGN:Each cooking mixing bowl with “V”spout, the little V makes it easy to pour runny liquids makes it easy to pour runny liquids.The mixing bowls with spout also are baking supplies, what a great bakeware accessories addition.Perfect as a gift for trained chefs, bakers and novice baker.
• 3 Pcs MIXING BOWL SET :These plastic mixing bowls with lids have 3 different sizes,meet your different needs.The large mixing bowl works perfectly for mixing things either by hand or when using a blender ,you can easily do cookie mix, or made cake batter, thick gingerbread dough, almond milk, persimmon cake.... the medium bowl uses to mix homemade spices together.the smaller bowl to hold prepped veggies,fruits.
• EASY TO STORE:They nest nicely within one another for easy storing,so they don't take up much room in the cupboard.In a room with limited space, an apartment, a dormitory, or an RV, the bowls and the lids can also be hung separately for storage.
• DISHWASHER SAFE: These mixing bowl set with lid and spout are dishwasher safe. The plastic bowl is very durable,unbreakable.The bowl's design is elegant and classic, matching any kitchen decor.A must-have for a new house!

Buy on Amazon

Pros of Stainless-Steel based mixing bowls

• Stainless steel bowls are versatile, light in weight, and incredibly durable
• They are made to be very strong to store heavy items easily into them. This also makes it quite simple and safe to pour things from them and move around with it.
• Stainless-steel bowls add a classy and elegant look to your kitchen
• Their less weight is very advantageous for the user. An absolutely large sized stainless-steel mixing bowl would not feel heavy to you like a glass bowl. This makes it easier to clean too.
• These bowls are better for whisking milk cream or egg whites than plastic or glass bowls.
• These bowls generally come in sets. This makes it easy to nest them for a perfect perfectly.
• Their unbreakable property makes them the best for the use of children.
• These multipurpose bowls also serve as cooking vessels to be kept on a double boiler (for melting chocolates etc.)

Drawbacks

Stainless steel bowls do not have a lot of disadvantages. Some of them being:

• Stainless steel is not considered as the best conductor of heat among the other type of metals. This makes this bowl to get heated up faster than glass. The reverse is also true. On keeping this bowl on ice water, it gets cooled very quickly.
• A stainless-steel mixing bowl is not appropriate for microwave use. As microwave is commonly used for preparing a wide range of dishes, this feature can be a big turn-off for stainless-steel fans.
• These bowls can even end up with dings and dents after prolonged use. This will only happen when you are using them roughly, else they will state in the best condition forever.
• You will find stainless steel bowls to be much lighter as compared to glass bowls. This makes them less stable especially when you are mixing something vigorously. This can make them displace from their position on the counter so you need to hold onto them while performing such operations.

Glass Mixing Bowl

Buy From Amazon

Bestseller No. 1

Pyrex Smart Essentials 3-Pack Prepware Mixing Bowl Set (1QT, 1.5QT, 2.5QT) Glass Mixing Bowls, Dishwasher, Microwave and Freezer Safe

• 3-PIECE: Set includes 1-qt, 1.5-qt, and 2.5-qt round glass bowls. This is the perfect set for all manners of prepping, baking and home entertainment.
• EVERYDAY USE: High-quality tempered glass gives you a peace of mind when managing your food, resists stains and odors. Worry less about scrubbing hard to get rid of stains or any funny smells.
• LOW MAINTENANCE: These glass bowls are freezer, microwave, and dishwasher safe. No need to hold back when warming your food or storing your leftovers for tomorrow.
• LIMITED WARRANTY: This item has a limited warranty.
• A TRUSTED BRAND: Loved for generations, experienced cooks and beginners alike have reached for Pyrex brand glassware products, because they’re affordable, durable, and great for all their cooking, serving and storing needs.

Buy on Amazon

Bestseller No. 2

Pyrex Sculpted 3-Pack Glass Mixing Bowls (1.3 QT, 2.3 QT, 4.5 QT) with BPA-Free Lids, Prepping and Baking Food Storage Set, Dishwasher, Microwave and Freezer Safe

• 6-PIECE: Set includes 1.3-qt, 2.3-qt, and 4.5-qt round glass bowls with BPA Lids. This is the perfect set for all manners of prepping, baking, food storage and other home entertainment.
• EVERYDAY USE: High-quality tempered glass gives you a peace of mind when managing your food, resists stains and odors. Worry less about scrubbing hard to get rid of stains or any funny smells.
• NON-TOXIC LID: BPA-Free plastic lid is freezer, microwave, and top-rack dishwasher safe. No need to hold back when warming your food or storing your leftovers for tomorrow.
• PERFECT LID FIT: Plastic lids are designed to securely keep your food fresh and tasty for longer. Too many leftovers? The Pyrex plastic lids keep a tight fit on your food while being easy to handle.
• PYREX IS THE #1 BRAND OF GLASS BAKEWARE*: Loved for generations, experienced cooks and beginners alike have reached for Pyrex brand glassware products for all their cooking, serving and storing needs. Source: The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service, dollars and units, 12 ME December 2022

Buy on Amazon

Bestseller No. 3

Anchor Hocking 4 Piece Glass Mixing Bowls Set – Durable, Microwave, Oven, and Dishwasher Safe – Perfect for Prep, Mixing, Serving, and Storage – Made in USA

• INCLUDES: Set of 4 mixing bowls in varying sizes, perfect for prep, mixing, and serving
• DURABLE: Made from durable glass, designed to withstand everyday use in the kitchen.
• SAFE & EASY TO CLEAN: Dishwasher-safe and non-porous, so it won’t absorb odors or stain.
• USE: Ideal for prepping ingredients, mixing batters, tossing salads, or serving snacks and sides.
• AMERICAN MADE: Proudly made in the USA with Anchor Hocking's trusted quality since 1905.

Buy on Amazon

Advantages of a Glass mixing bowl

• Glass is nonreactive in nature that implies that it won’t react with chemicals that can change the texture,taste, and color of the food.
• Glass is also microwaveable in nature. A few tempered glass mixing bowls are highly durable and are suited for the use in freezer and oven as well.
• Tempered glass mixing bowls are engineered with specific types of materials, so cooling or heating them makes them more temperature-resistant and durable
• You can get transparent glass mixing bowls in vibrant colors that accentuates the look of your kitchen
• As glass bowls are transparent in nature, you can clearly see the amount of the ingredient and whether the ingredients have properly mixed or not.
• Glass mixing bowls give an attractive and decorative touch to a place. You can keep them on your dining table to display fruits, or in the form of a serving vessel
• As glass bowls have got slicker sides, the ingredients do not stick to its sides at the time of whisking.

Disadvantages

• On dropping a glass bowl, it will break
• Glass is sensitive to temperature changes, so if it is kept on higher temperature there are chances of breaking
• Glass bowls are heavy! So, it can be difficult to hold on to it or transfer batter to any baking container.
• Also, they are a big no for kids
• Its slippery surface and their weight, can both make it a little tough to wash by hand.
• They are comparatively pricier than other materials

Plastic Mixing Bowl

Buy From Amazon

Bestseller No. 1

KitchenAid Universal Nesting Plastic Mixing Bowls, Set Of 3, 2.5 quart, 3.5 quart, 4.5 quart, Non Slip Base with Easy Pour Spout to Reduce Mess, Dishwasher Safe, Aqua Sky, White, Gray

• SET OF 3 BOWLS: This set includes a 2-1/2 quart bowl, 3-1/2 quart bowl and a 4-1/2 quart bowl
• NON-SLIP BASE: Never worry about the bowls slipping when mixing, these bowls feature non-slip bases that increase stability while mixing
• ELIMATE THE MESS: Each bowl has a pour spout on each bowl, helping and reduce chance of spills when transferring mixes
• EASY TO STORE: These bowls nest together when not in use for easy of storage
• DISHWASHER SAFE: These mixing bowls are dishwasher safe for fast and easy clean up

Buy on Amazon

SaleBestseller No. 2

YIHONG 6 Piece Plastic Mixing Bowls Set, Colorful Serving Bowl for Kitchen, Ideal for Baking, Prepping and Cooking,Nesting Design for Space Saving Storage, Rainbow

• Make Your Cooking Much Easier — A colorful plastic mixing bowls set that are a basic necessity in every kitchen,6 different sizes of 5.28, 3.59,2.22,1.27,0.69, 0.29Qt will complement your cooking and make cooking much easier. Ideal for making a quick salad, preparing food, mixing batters, or storing and serving food.
• Multi-use to Meet You Needs — These mixing bowls are perfect for everyday use on your home table, our bowls make great to-go containers for sides dishes, dressings and sauces.
• Nesting for Saving Space — Easily nest in each other, so you can save space on the countertop, keep them in a spot in the corner of your kitchen, and easily access your food items.
• Premium Material — Made of high-quality plastic, which is BPA free,you and your family can use it with peace of mind.
• Dishwasher Safe — These mixing bowls are dishwasher safe for fast and easy clean up,it is more convenient for you and your family.

−20%

Buy on Amazon

Bestseller No. 3

OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Plastic Mixing Bowl Set - Cadet Blue, Tower Gray, Jade, Small, Medium, Large

• Set includes: 1.5-quart, 3-quart, and 5-quart sizes
• Wide grip and spout for easy pouring
• Non-slip base stabilizes bowl while mixing
• Bowls nest for compact storage
• Each handle features accent color

Buy on Amazon

Advantages of a Plastic mixing bowl

A vast majority of households use plastic mixing bowls due to a variety of reasons. Let us see what are they:

• A plastic bowl is light in weight that makes it easy to manage
• It comes with easy-grip handles and non-slip bottoms prevent accidental slipping
• These mixing bowls are dishwasher safe
• You can get them with a lifetime warranty too
• Superior quality plastics like Tupperware are made from food-grade color that makes them safe and hygienic to use.
• Plastic bowls are the most inexpensive bowls among all the other materials used in manufacturing mixing bowls.
• You can get them in various colors that not just add a decorative touch to your kitchen but also attracts kids
• Plastic bowls come in versatile designs. You can get them in any shape as per your need.
• As plastic bowls are unbreakable, it is best for kids to use or any kind of rough use. You can drop them several times, but they won’t break. The same thing does not go for glass bowls.
• Cleaning them is easy without any dents
• Some plastic bowls come with soft, and easy-grip handles ensure that the bowl sticks to one place rather than moving away at the time of whisking, tossing or stirring things.
• The bowls are dishwasher safe, and stable.
• They have a versatile design that is ideal for tossing, serving, and mixing ingredients.

Drawbacks

• Plastic bowls have the tendency of picking up oil layer from use. This makes them dirty easily.
• Not safe for the use in microwave
• They do not provide good surfaces as while whisking egg whites,it can slip down to its sides
• Plastic tends to attract grease due to its porous surface
• A plastic mixing bowl is not temperature resistant, so you need to take care that it doesn’t come near to hot surfaces as it can melt or leach chemicals.
• Plastic absorbs oils and strong odors that can give discomfort to the user

Conclusion

So, these are the common types of materials used in making mixing bowls, with their own share of advantages and drawbacks. In our opinion, stainless steel mixing bowls are the best choice for every household. They are sturdy, durable, hygienic, and gives a rich look to your kitchen. Though they are a little pricier than the other two, their long-lasting nature will compensate for the present expense in the future.

Last update on 2025-05-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API