The Best Whisk

Whisks are among the ranks of kitchen tools that we don’t think about very much. Most people have one hanging out in their kitchen drawer, but they might not use it very often or even remember exactly when they bought it. 

However, whisks are far more important than their low-key reputation lets on. They stir liquids and solids, adding air in for a light and fluffy result. If you want to make perfect meringues, airy cakes and fluffy scrambled eggs, you’re going to need a whisk. 

Whisks come in different styles. The most common whisk is a balloon whisk, where wire hoops form a balloon shape. The curved style is designed to scrape the sides of mixing bowls. The wire hoops on flat whisks are arranged on a single side, so they can whisk liquids in skillets and shallow bowls. Ball whisks don’t have wire loops; instead, they have many wires sticking out straight with heavy metal balls attached to the ends. These whisks are better for reaching every corner of your mixing bowl, and they’re much easier to clean.

Most whisks are made of stainless steel or other metals, but there are some silicone options that won’t damage nonstick cookware. Whisks come in a wide variety of sizes to fit into differently sized bowls. 

Once you’ve decided which general type of whisk you need, read our Tips & Advice for hints on using and caring for your whisk.

• Take a look at what materials your whisk is made from before you buy. Stainless steel whisks will last the longest, and they’re less likely to rust. However, they can scratch mixing bowls. Silicone whisks won’t scratch any cookware, but they aren’t always dishwasher-safe. Make sure you’re buying a whisk that works safely with your cookware.
• In almost all cooking scenarios, whisking from side to side will give you the best results. Stirring the whisk in a circle doesn’t introduce much air. The looping motion that you probably associate with whisking is only helpful if you’re working with egg whites. The whites stick to the whisk’s metal loops, so they can still trap air when the whisk pulls them above the bowl.
• Always check and see what your whisk is made of before you stick it in the dishwasher. Most stainless steel whisks can handle the heat, but whisks made from silicone or weaker metals might need hand washing. 
• Try to wash your whisk as quickly as possible once you’re done using it. Batter or crumbs can harden on the metal tines and make cleaning even trickier if you wait. Soak your whisk in warm water to loosen any residue, then prepare a bowl of warm soapy water. Whisk the warm soapy water to reach every nook and cranny in between the metal tines. Let the whisk air dry when you’re done.
• Make sure there’s plenty of space around the sides of your whisk if you store it in a drawer. If it’s smashed below some other utensils, the tines will bend out of shape. Hanging your whisk is a great way to protect it.