Flexible spatulas come in different shapes and materials, but rubber ones are preferred for non-stick cookware. They are used for mixing, spreading, and icing. Some are heat-resistant, while others are decorative. Care should be taken not to melt them or expose them to highly acidic mixes.
A flexible spatula refers to many different types and shapes of spatulas that have built-in flexibility. Some are made from stainless steel or springy aluminum, but most are rubber spatulas. The rubber type is often preferred when working with nonstick cookware because it won’t scrape off the nonstick coating like metal spatulas inevitably do.
The simplest type of flexible spatula is used to mix, combine and fold ingredients or to spread them evenly in a pan. It is a semi-rectangular shaped spatula with rounded edges. The handle fits in the middle of the spatula causing an uneven bump in the middle of both sides of the spatula. It’s great for scooping icing to place on a cake, but the center bump may not make it perfect for actually icing the cake. This flexible spatula comes in a variety of colors, sizes, and price points; you’ll find the heat resistant ones cost a bit more. One of the largest producers of these in the United States is Rubbermaid.
A flexible spatula suitable for icing cakes is a simple narrow rectangle, essentially the same width as the handle and about 2-3 inches (5.08-7.62 cm) long at the head. Because the handle fits snugly into the spatula head without forming bumps or ridges, this provides an even surface, which makes icing cakes a breeze. You can also find icing spatulas that are not flexible and are generally made of metals suitable for this purpose.
A completely different flexible spatula that many prefer for cooking and mixing ingredients in a non-stick pan resembles a turner. These allow you to lift ingredients like crumbly cookies off a baking sheet with minimal breakage. Some find that without a metal rim and some stiffness, these can be difficult to use if baked goods have stuck to a pan. Using a good non-stick spray or greasing the baking sheets first will generally eliminate this problem. This variation of a flexible spatula may look very simple, or you can buy decorative ones that children can enjoy. The Butterfly Spatula or Turner can be a huge hit with the kids or just liven up your cooking hours.
With most rubberized spatulas, you have to be careful not to melt them. Some are heat proof, but most are not. You should be sure never to leave them in the pan while you cook, as they tend to take on the colors of your ingredients and may melt when exposed to heat. A white flexible spatula and tomato sauce are a bad mix, which will probably leave you with an orange spatula. Any rubber spatula is prone to discoloration, especially for highly acidic mixes.
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