Eggs Still Sticking to the Pan? This Overlooked Utensil Might Be the Solution (2024)

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Our Top Picks

There's nothing worse than breaking an egg yolk while flipping it over. To prevent this from happening, you want a wide spatula that lets you get nearly the entire egg encased on it to keep your yolk safe, and that's where this Di Oro turner excels. The blade is three inches wide, thin enough to slide under eggs, and heat-resistant up to 600°F. The entire spatula is made from durable stainless steel, and then the blade and handle are encased with silicone that's safe for both your food and cookware.

It's our favorite versatile pick because it can do it all, beyond just eggs. It'll serve for flipping steaks or burgers, pancakes, and can even carefully scoop out brownies or lasagna from tricky pans.

Material: Silicone and stainless steel | Length: 11.8 inches | Dishwasher-safe: Yes

As our favorite choice for scrambled eggs, the Rubbermaid silicone spatula has a cool-touch handle that keeps your hands from overheating as you stir — not to mention that it is a staple in professional kitchens. The divot on the blade allows you to set the spatula down on a bowl, a pan, or a resting spoon without creating a mess, and it's heat resistant up to 500°F, so you don't have to worry about it burning or melting if it's against a pan for a few moments. If you prefer longer handles, there are two other size options available.

Material: Silicone | Length: 9.5 inches | Dishwasher-safe: Yes

Mastering a quality omelet is no easy task, but with the right spatula, you can achieve a flawless fold. This OXO Good Grips turner has a silicone blade with the perfect balance of flexibility and firmness to ensure your omelet holds together and doesn't spill out. We appreciate its thin edge, as it helps you effortlessly slide under so no eggy bits get left behind as you flip. Heat safe up to 600°F, the spatula is also great for cooking fish and other long, narrow foods.

Material: Silicone and stainless steel | Length: 13.4 inches | Dishwasher-safe: Yes

If you're making eggs in a cast iron pan or on a griddle, a silicone spatula might not be strong enough to get underneath them completely. This Williams Sonoma spatula is up for that task, and it's large enough that you can make a family-sized scramble in a snap. Thanks to its heavy-duty construction, it's designed to last for years and can handle a variety of cooking tasks. It's the right size and shape for making smash burgers and sturdy enough for flipping large steaks. It's important to note that stainless steel spatulas are not compatible with nonstick cookware.

Material: Stainless steel | Length: 14.75 inches | Dishwasher-safe: Yes

Similar to its silicone counterpart, the wooden spoon is a solid choice (pun intended) for pans of any material. While wood lacks the flexibility of silicone, it compensates with a strong construction and versatility that extends beyond scrambled eggs. Whether you want to flip fried eggs in a nonstick pan or steak in a cast iron skillet, Tovolo's olivewood turner can handle the job. The single drawback is that you'll have to stay on top of hand-washing this wooden utensil to keep it in tip-top shape and minimize warping and staining.

Material: Olivewood | Length: 14.25 inches | Dishwasher-safe: No, hand wash only

This spider strainer is our favorite option for poached eggs because it's ideal for scooping and draining food from hot liquids. The shape of this stainless steel slotted spatula is perfect for locating your eggs and removing them from the water. A spider strainer is a type of spatula that's also helpful in straining foods, such as pasta and beans, and when removing fried foods from hot oil. The long handle ensures you won't get too close to piping-hot water, broth, or oil.

Material: Stainless steel | Length: 13 inches | Dishwasher-safe: Yes

The Essential Guide to Stainless Steel Cookware, According to Professional Chefs

Frequently Asked Questions

• Do eggs stick to silicone spatulas?

  No, eggs shouldn't stick to silicone spatulas. The biggest advantage of silicone material is that liquids and solids — including eggs —slide off it easily.

• What is the best way to fry an egg?

  The best way to fry an egg is to start by placing a small, nonstick pan over medium heat. Add fat, such as butter or olive oil, and allow to heat up for a moment. Then, crack your egg into the pan and cook for about 3 minutes. At this point, your egg is sunny-side-up. If you want it over easy, medium, or hard, flip it over and cook for anywhere from an additional 30 seconds to 1–2 minutes.

  Learn More:33 Egg Recipes for Breakfast and Beyond

• Is it safe to cook eggs with a wooden spoon?

  Yes, it's safe to cook eggs with a wooden spoon. The main concern around wooden spoons is that they are porous and can harbor bacteria. While they are able to accumulate bacteria to an extent, that bacteria doesn't have any ability to migrate out of the spatula and into your food. Instead, it dies within hours. As with any spoons or spatulas, wash wooden spoons well after use.

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