What are the different types of stainless steel?
18/10 stainless steel is the best quality you can buy. If you’re looking for premium flatware that will resist rust, maintain its shine and last for decades, this is the type of stainless steel you should be investing in.
The higher the numbers in the ‘grade’ of stainless steel a cutlery set is made of, the more superior the quality.
18/0 stainless steel is hard-wearing and will look good for years, and cutlery made from 13/10 stainless steel is much cheaper and often has plastic handles.
How to choose the best cutlery set for you
Style: An attractive cutlery set will finish a dining table beautifully or cheer up everyday meals. The style you choose depends on your tastes. Curvy, geometric, colourful and traditional are all options. Think about the finish too; do you love the look of a mirror-polished shine or prefer a sophisticated satin finish?
Number of place settings: If it’s an everyday set for your immediate family, buy a set with a place setting for each person, plus an extra two for spare and unexpected visitors. If you give flamboyant dinner parties every month or want a set that will stretch to Christmas dinners, buy a much bigger one.
What's included in the set: Most cutlery sets include a basic place setting of a knife, fork, dessert spoon and teaspoon. However, silverware sets with many pieces will also include soup spoons, coffee spoons and side forks. If you entertain regularly, or enjoy formal dining, and your budget can stretch, this is the best choice for you.
How we chose our recommendations
Recommendations from real Mumsnet users
Mumsnet users love cooking for their families and friends and have many opinions on the best ways to present a delicious meal. So, the first stop on our journey to find the best cutlery sets was the Mumsnet user forums.
We sought out their trusted opinions, asked for feedback and sought out their recommendations. It was vital for us to know what they rated and used in their own homes. We also took note of the products they felt could have been better value, were poorly made and were ineffective.
Expert opinions
Next, we scrutinised the reviews and feedback from trusted kitchenware and food industry experts. We want to be sure that the products we recommend are fit for purpose, so we focused on award-winning cutlery sets and those well thought of by home economists, interior designers and food writers.
Authentic consumer reviews
Finally, in our definitive list of the best cutlery sets available in the UK, we investigated comprehensive customer reviews on retailer websites such as Amazon, John Lewis and Partners and Harts of Stur. We wanted to take into account a wide range of consumer experiences.
About the author
Gemma Lumley is a Content Writer for Mumsnet; she writes consumer, home and lifestyle articles and specialises in product round-ups and reviews.
With many years of experience as a content and copywriter for her family business Urban Media Publishing, Gemma has written articles and blogs on travel, the outdoor industry, parenting and finance.
Gemma is a mum of two grown-up children and has two dogs and a tortoise. Alongside her writing, she spent many years as a home and travel expert and breastfeeding counsellor at a leading nursery retailer.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.
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