Whether you're cooking on the grill or in the kitchen, you don't need a lot of utensils to make cooking enjoyable, but you do need the right ones. Not sure where to begin when selecting utensils for cooking?

Here are some tips for selecting kitchen utensils:

Think about the purpose: Consider the intended use of the utensil and select the one that is appropriate for your cooking needs. For example, if you frequently cook soups and stews, a ladle would be a helpful tool to have in your kitchen, and if you blend ingredients smoothly, like egg whites or cream, a whisk would be your perfect choice for this task.

Consider the material: Kitchen utensils are made from various materials, including wood, silicone, and stainless steel. Each material has different benefits and features. For example, silicone utensils are non-stick and easy to clean, while wooden utensils can be more gentle on non-stick cookware.

Your vibe in the kitchen: if you like the aesthetic and natural inspiration in your eating area, wooden kitchen utensils will mesh easily with your serveware collection. Or, for a more modern take, go with silicone and stainless-steel kitchen utensils.

If you're not looking for a complete set of cooking utensils, check out our list of essential kitchen utensils to help you determine what you need most.

• Spatula: used for mixing, scraping, flipping and spreading
• Turner: similar to a spatula but with a flat, wide blade for flipping and turning food while cooking.
• Whisk: used for whisking and beating eggs, batters, and other ingredients together.
• Tongs: used for gripping and flipping food items while cooking, especially useful for grilling and frying.
• Ladle: used for serving soups, stews, and sauces.
• Skimmer: used for removing foam and impurities from the surface of liquids.