# Do I need stainless steel mixing bowls or is Pyrex ok?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-stainless-steel-mixing-bowls-or-is-pyrex-ok/707219
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [December 14, 2014, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-stainless-steel-mixing-bowls-or-is-pyrex-ok/707219 "2014-12-14T18:42:58Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2014, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-stainless-steel-mixing-bowls-or-is-pyrex-ok/707219/1 "2014-12-14T18:42:58Z")
Is there an advantage to stainless steel mixing bowls? I’m certainly buying a few this week, I ran across this inexpensive [set](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004SZ7H/ref=gno_cart_title_0?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER). of Pyrex bowls
I always used Pyrex ones growing up, but almost every cooking show has the chefs using stainless steel ones. If I went with stainless steel, I’d be looking at something like this [set](http://www.amazon.com/Cuisinart-CTG-00-SMB-Stainless-Steel-Mixing/dp/B004YZEO9K/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1418582450&sr=1-1&keywords=stainless+steel+mixing+bowls)
The #1 use will be for making omelettes, so we’re not talking complex cooking here.
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### Author:  [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2014, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-stainless-steel-mixing-bowls-or-is-pyrex-ok/707219/2 "2014-12-14T18:48:54Z")
I use my Pyrex set all the time. I also have a couple of stainless, which I will use specifically for double boiling or whipping cream, or for popcorn in the huge one.
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### Author:  [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2014, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-stainless-steel-mixing-bowls-or-is-pyrex-ok/707219/3 "2014-12-14T18:50:33Z")
I like both. The main benefit to me of the stainless is that the only place in my kitchen for mixing bowls is a cabinet above my head. Stainless are light, and I don’t worry that if I drop them, I’m going to give myself a concussion. Otherwise, I don’t see a huge advantage either way. Pick what you like. 🙂
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### Author:  [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2014, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-stainless-steel-mixing-bowls-or-is-pyrex-ok/707219/4 "2014-12-14T18:51:55Z")
The advantage to Pyrex is you can use it in the oven and microwave.
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### Author:  [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2014, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-stainless-steel-mixing-bowls-or-is-pyrex-ok/707219/5 "2014-12-14T18:52:52Z")
I have both. I like being able to easily spin the stainless bowls when mixing, but other times I don’t want the bowl to move and prefer the weight of the pyrex. Whatever you prefer is fine.
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### Author:  [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2014, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-stainless-steel-mixing-bowls-or-is-pyrex-ok/707219/6 "2014-12-14T19:54:38Z")
Stainless bowls, Pyrex measuring jugs (from 500 ml up to 2 litres) are the way our kitchen rolls.
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### Author:  [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2014, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-stainless-steel-mixing-bowls-or-is-pyrex-ok/707219/7 "2014-12-14T22:47:56Z")
I have an annoying tendency to drop mixing bowls, measuring cups – really almost anything used in a kitchen. YMMV.
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### Author:  [@Wednesday\_Evening](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wednesday_Evening)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2014, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-stainless-steel-mixing-bowls-or-is-pyrex-ok/707219/8 "2014-12-14T23:06:51Z")
I have both. The stainless steel ones are lighter, which makes it easier when hauling them about the kitchen. When I grab a mixing bowl I will reach for a stainless steel one unless it needs to go in the microwave. But if I were to get just one type I would probably pick glass because it can go in the microwave.
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### Author:  [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2014, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-stainless-steel-mixing-bowls-or-is-pyrex-ok/707219/9 "2014-12-14T23:07:43Z")
Good Pyrex should be just fine if that’s what you want. There’s a _possibility_ it could break and you’d have glass to clean up but you’d have to do something either really stupid or really heinous to it, or just be extremely unlucky I suppose.
I have tons of Pyrex and I’ve never managed to break one, and I’m an idiot _and_ a klutz.
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### Author:  [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2014, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-stainless-steel-mixing-bowls-or-is-pyrex-ok/707219/10 "2014-12-14T23:12:25Z")
I’d go stainless.
In addition to being light in weight as mentioned, they nest inside each other really nicely.
The glass bowls also nest but you have to be a little more careful dropping them into place.
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### Author:  [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2014, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-stainless-steel-mixing-bowls-or-is-pyrex-ok/707219/11 "2014-12-14T23:26:41Z")
> [@lisiate](#):
>
> Stainless bowls, Pyrex measuring jugs (from 500 ml up to 2 litres) are the way our kitchen rolls.
QFT. Pyrex casserole dishes, stainless bowls.
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### Author:  [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2014, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-stainless-steel-mixing-bowls-or-is-pyrex-ok/707219/12 "2014-12-14T23:45:29Z")
[Stainless steel sure makes peeling garlic easier.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0d3oc24fD-c)
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### Author:  [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)
#### Post date: [December 15, 2014, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-stainless-steel-mixing-bowls-or-is-pyrex-ok/707219/13 "2014-12-15T03:43:59Z")
We went bowl-crazy at some point. I have two sets of porcelain bowls (or ceramic or whatever), a set of glass bowls and a set of stainless. The stainless get the most use because they’re light and can take abuse. Glass/ceramic are used mainly as serving bowls for things like mashed potatoes and other items you want to stay warm.
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### Author:  [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)
#### Post date: [December 15, 2014, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-stainless-steel-mixing-bowls-or-is-pyrex-ok/707219/14 "2014-12-15T05:07:34Z")
Pyrex is nice because you can get lids. Stainless is nice for ease of cleanup.
Pyrex is nicer as a serving bowl. Stainless is nicer because I don’t risk my life when I pull it down from the cabinet, and also because you can get really big ones.
Pyrex is nice because it can go in the microwave. Stainless is nice if you want to chill things like dough that needs to be rolled.
Meh. I have both.
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### Author:  [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)
#### Post date: [December 15, 2014, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-stainless-steel-mixing-bowls-or-is-pyrex-ok/707219/15 "2014-12-15T05:50:04Z")
> [@Shakes](#):
>
> [Stainless steel sure makes peeling garlic easier.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0d3oc24fD-c)
That’s it. I’m going out and getting two of those bowls right now.
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### Author:  [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)
#### Post date: [December 15, 2014, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-stainless-steel-mixing-bowls-or-is-pyrex-ok/707219/16 "2014-12-15T05:57:43Z")
> [@guizot](#):
>
> That’s it. I’m going out and getting two of those bowls right now.
I’ve seen the same result from just using a 4-cup Mason jar.
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### Author:  [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)
#### Post date: [December 15, 2014, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-stainless-steel-mixing-bowls-or-is-pyrex-ok/707219/17 "2014-12-15T06:22:49Z")
I’ve seen snap on lids for stainless that make a more airtight fit than lids for pyrex. A well equipped kitchen will probably have both. The question is which would you get first. You can use pyrex for serving bowls also.
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### Author:  [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)
#### Post date: [December 15, 2014, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-stainless-steel-mixing-bowls-or-is-pyrex-ok/707219/18 "2014-12-15T12:23:39Z")
I have both, use my stainless more, but definitely glass for serving. Eespecially when you need a large bowl for food prep, it’s stainless that wins. Things like tossing a Caesar salad, or tossing ribs in sauce, in a glass bowl it’s too heavy I find. Ditto for large glass bowl filled with potatoes etc, too heavy to pass at the table. Above a certain size, glass becomes quite cumbersome I find. Awkward to clean in the sink, stack into the rack, and stack again to store.
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### Author:  [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)
#### Post date: [December 15, 2014, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-stainless-steel-mixing-bowls-or-is-pyrex-ok/707219/19 "2014-12-15T15:24:25Z")
I’ve owned both kinds (and plastic too)… and the stainless ones were around before, and are still around after the Pyrex ones eventually chipped and broke, and the plastic ones melted in the dishwasher, or got eaten by various things (apparently pickling lime does a number on some plastics).
In terms of mixing stuff, there’s little real difference, but the stainless ones are very durable and light, and nest very well, so if you plan on keeping them for a long time, the stainless ones are the way to go. We actually have those same Cuisinart bowls and they’re definitely good ones. You can probably get cheaper ones if you look around though.
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### Author:  [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)
#### Post date: [December 15, 2014, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-i-need-stainless-steel-mixing-bowls-or-is-pyrex-ok/707219/20 "2014-12-15T15:40:13Z")
I’m pretty much repeating what others have said. Stainless is lighter and less prone to breakage. Pyrex can be used in the microwave and are more decorative for serving purposes.
In addition to Stainless and Glass mixing bowls, I have a large Pyrex measuring cup that gets a lot of use for mixing that one might normally use a mixing bowl for, the handle helps with pouring the mixture out. Personally, I find the plain glass bowls the least useful for mixing stuff, they’re heavier, risk breakage, and don’t have a handle like the large measuring cup.
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