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Along with dinnerware, you use your flatware daily — sometimes several times a day. So when it’s time to buy a new flatware set, it's worth putting the time and effort into finding one that you love.
Modern flatware is usually made from stainless steel, but not all stainless steel flatware is of the same quality. Stainless steel flatware should be marked 18/10, 18/8 or 18/0. The first number is the percentage of chromium in the flatware; the second is the percentage of nickel. The higher the percentage of nickel, the more resistant the flatware is to corrosion. While 18/10 stainless steel flatware sets are the most resistant to corrosion, you can still find some quality 18/8 and 18/0 sets.
You'll also want to consider the number of place settings required. Most sets contain four, eight or 12 place settings. How many place settings you need depends on your circumstances. In a household with just one or two people, a set of four place settings might be enough. A family of six, however, would need at least eight place settings.
Whether you're buying your first set of flatware or want to upgrade an old, tired set, we think the Lenox Portola Flatware Set is a great all-around choice. It has a classic design and is available as a 65-piece set, offering 12 place settings along with serving pieces. For a beautiful but more affordable option, the Pfaltzgraff Garland Frost Stainless Steel Set is a standout.
Best of the Best
This is an excellent set for entertaining, so social butterflies, take note! With a design that bridges traditional and contemporary, it’s perfect if you want something that's neither too modern nor too conservative. Made with 18/10 stainless steel, it feels nicely heavy and well-balanced, making it a joy to eat with.
If you like these Lenox Portola pieces and want them for your dining table, you may appreciate the fact that you can choose from a range of options. For example, the 65-piece set comes in silver and contains 12 place settings consisting of a dinner knife, dinner fork, salad fork, dinner spoon and teaspoon, along with a five-piece serving set.
If you want a smaller Portola set, however, you could also choose from among several. For example, Lenox makes a 20-piece Portola set containing four standard place settings and a 24-piece set with steak knives. All are safe to go in the dishwasher.
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Traditional flatware sets contain seven pieces for each place setting, but modern sets tend to contain five or fewer.
Here's what you would get in a traditional flatware set:
Of these seven pieces, most modern flatware sets only contain the dinner knife, dinner fork, salad fork, soup spoon and teaspoon. Some only contain four pieces per place setting, abandoning the salad fork. The soup spoon in modern sets is often referred to as a dinner spoon and is a multifunctional utensil you can use for soup, dinner and dessert.
If you want matching serving utensils, it's best to look for a flatware set that includes a serving set. You may also be able to find specialty pieces to match your flatware set, such as grapefruit spoons, demitasse spoons or crab forks, but you'd need to purchase these separately.
As mentioned, this guide focuses on stainless steel flatware because it's by far the most popular contemporary choice. However, there are a few other material options to consider.
While much less common today, mostly because of its price, silver flatware (or "silverware") is an elegant choice for formal dining.
Silverplate flatware looks similar to silver but is significantly cheaper, as there's only a thin layer of silver coating over a cheaper metal, such as nickel.
Pewter was a common choice for flatware in colonial America due to its strength and durability. Although seldom used today, some collectors love it for its attractive patina.
You might not have thought much about how your flatware is made, but there are two main construction types: stamped and forged. It's good to know the difference between the two, though it shouldn't be a major consideration when buying.
Weight is a great divider in the world of flatware. Some people love heavy, sturdy flatware, whereas others favor lightweight pieces.
If you're unsure about your preference, it's worth trying out some different options before you buy. If you like weighty flatware, forged pieces tend to be the heaviest, followed by stamped and, finally, those with hollowed handles.
To some extent, weight is also a sign of quality. While there is some sturdy lightweight cutlery, heavier pieces are often more durable. Expensive flatware is usually heavier, offering the same kind of feel in the hand as utensils used in a fancy restaurant.
Consider what kind of finish you'd like your flatware to have. Some flatware sets have a high-shine, mirrored finish. Some are completely matte. The rest fall somewhere in between these extremes.
There's no right or wrong choice, so choose whichever finish you prefer aesthetically. Keep in mind, however, that matte flatware has a slightly more contemporary look to it. So, if you're searching for something with a high-end-looking finish to wow your guests, you may wish to go with matte.
That said, highly mirrored flatware is also a striking choice. But, consider the downside: It will show smudges and watermarks much more clearly, so you'd probably need to polish it before company comes over.
While most utensils have a standard silver stainless steel finish, you can also find some with specialty finishes. Black, gold and copper are the most common, but you can find other color options as well, including bronze, rose gold and even rainbow finishes.
If you're bored of basic silver flatware, you might like to try an alternative color. Note, however, that color is added as an extra coating over stainless steel. As such, it can wear off over time, especially if you choose cheap flatware.
Looks aren't everything, but you'll be seeing a lot of your new flatware set, so it's worth spending the time to find a design you love. You can find everything from classic traditional sets to sleek modern ones.
If you're unsure what you want, you might prefer something simple with a standard shape and no engraving or embellishment. This type of flatware is timeless and unlikely to become dated or go out of fashion.
Traditional pieces are more likely to have embellishments, such as beading on the handles. If you know you like a classic style, this is a safe bet that wouldn't look too basic for a formal dinner. Modern designs often have non-standard shapes, such as slim, elongated knives and notably rounded spoons.
Most flatware is one piece; that is, the handles along with the tines of the forks, bowls of the spoons or blades of the knives are made from one piece of metal. However, some have handles made from plastic, resin or wood.
In most cases, one-piece flatware is more durable, but that's not to say you can't find flimsy one-piece options.
If you like the feeling of a bulkier handle, you might prefer wood, resin or plastic handles. However, flatware with wooden handles usually must be hand washed, which is bad news for anyone attached to using their dishwasher.
You might like the look of engraved or embossed handles, but bear in mind that dirt can get lodged in crevices over time, so these pieces would need more thorough cleaning.
Most forks have four tines, but occasionally, you'll find ones with three tines. This doesn't make any marked difference in how they pick up food. The primary difference is the appearance. If you like the look of three-tined forks, you have fewer options, but there are still plenty of great flatware sets that feature this fork style.
Don't leave your flatware soaking in water for long periods of time. Over time, this practice could lead to corrosion.
Acidic foods and liquids can gradually corrode your flatware. This doesn't mean you should avoid vinegar and tomatoes; just try not to leave dirty flatware sitting for days, covered in food.
Washing flatware by hand can help preserve its finish. Flatware with specialty finishes, such as gold or black, might be advertised as dishwasher-safe. Nevertheless, the finish lasts longer if washed by hand.
Dry your flatware as soon as possible after washing it. This helps avoid streaks and watermarks.
A. The price of a flatware set depends on factors such as the material and how many place settings are included.
$15-$30 will get you a basic stainless steel flatware set with four place settings.
$30-$50 can purchase anything from a single place setting of high-end 18/10 flatware to a basic 18/0 flatware set with 12 place settings and a hostess set.
$50-$100 gets you a good quality flatware set with 8 to 12 place settings. You might not find designer brands, but you are likely to get sturdy, long-lasting pieces.
$100-$500 buys a high-end 18/10 or 18/8 flatware set with 12 place settings and, usually, a hostess set. At the top of this price range, you find options from designer homeware brands. Here, the cost may have more to do with the manufacturer than a marked increase in quality.
A. A serving set (also sometimes called a "hostess set") is the name given to a collection of serving flatware that sometimes comes with a flatware set. A five-piece serving set usually includes a tablespoon, slotted tablespoon, butter knife, serving fork and sugar spoon, although this can vary.
A. Once you've got a decent set of flatware, display it by positioning the utensils correctly on the dinner table, particularly if you're having guests. With standard five-piece flatware service, the dinner fork goes to the left of the plate, the salad fork goes to the left of the dinner fork, the dinner knife goes to the right of the plate, the soup spoon goes to the right of the dinner fork and (where applicable) the teaspoon goes to the right of the cup and saucer.
A. Yes, stainless steel flatware is dishwasher-safe, though it's best not to use citrus-based detergents.
