Is there a reason to have a plastic bowl?

The only mixing bowl I have for now is a plastic one. But recently it came to my mind that I should have bought a stainless one instead. Is there any pros of plastic bowls, or some task that's best done with plastic bowls?

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Best Answer

For your average mixing task, pretty much any bowl (of the right size, shape) will do. Also, "plastic" isn't one material, it's a bunch of different materials. For example, some advantages of polypropylene bowls do not apply to melamine formaldehyde bowls, but both are plastic.

So, here are some advantages of a polypropylene (PP) bowl over a metal bowl:

microwave safe
high elasticity (can be bent, and will go back to its original shape. E.g., if you drop your PP bowl, it won't dent)
extremely acid-resistant
extremely resistant to other chemical attacks (e.g., will not corrode)
plastic bowls are often made in a mold, so can be cheaply made in a variety of shapes. You can get bowls with nice pouring spouts, etc. because of this.

Of course, they have disadvantages too:

fats stick, almost impossible to remove all traces (a problem when beating egg whites)
can't be used over a pot as a double-boiler
can't hold very hot things (e.g., you can put hot oil in a metal bowl, but PP would melt. Different plastics have different melting points, some can't even hold boiling water. You never have to worry with stainless.)
can't be used in the oven

And there are things which are just different, like metal conducts heat better (so it works better when cooling in an ice bath, but also you're much more likely to get burnt on it), metal is denser (PP floats, metal doesn't).

If you get metal bowls, except for a few applications where copper is nice (those egg whites, again), you want stainless steel. Stainless is fairly resistant to acid and also corrosion (plain steel is not). Note that stainless comes in different grades, which vary in their corrosion, rust, and acid resistance.

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Quick Answer about "Is there a reason to have a plastic bowl?"

extremely acid-resistant. extremely resistant to other chemical attacks (e.g., will not corrode) plastic bowls are often made in a mold, so can be cheaply made in a variety of shapes. You can get bowls with nice pouring spouts, etc.

What is a plastic bowl used for?

They're great to use for salads, desserts, baked goods, and other confectionery products. These plastic bowls with lids are perfect for catered events.

Are plastic bowls good?

Harmful Chemicals from Plastic Can Leach Into Cat FoodMany plastic containers and bowls contain toxic chemicals such as phthalates or Bispehnol A (better known as BPA). These chemicals have been shown to damage the liver, kidneys, and other organs, and cause reproductive issues in women, men, and other animals.

Why do Brits put plastic tub in sink?

If you have a single sink it is useful to have a space down which one can spill detritus from plates without making the washing up water murky. A plastic bowl also acts as a noise insulator against the metal sink and as a less hard surface for glasses.

Why do you need a washing up bowl?

And even when it's not filled with water, a washing-up bowl can be a great receptacle for dirty dishes because it's a softer landing spot for fragile plates and glasses than a cast iron or ceramic basin. It can protect the sink from stains and scratches too.

You Eat Plastic Every Day. Here's How To Avoid It.

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Answer 2

There isn't much difference at all really. I have ceramic bowls, glass bowls, steel bowls and plastic bowls. I use my plastic bowl the most as its lighter and has a 'grip' on the bottom. Steel mixing bowls are heavy and if you use an electric beater make a really loud noise as they strike the bowl. No nonstick steel or plastic bowls exist on the market (as far as I'm aware of) however ceramic ones do. Metal bowls are supposedly easier to clean than plastic bowls as plastic bowls tend to cling to fats and lipids more than metal bowls however I have only seen this referenced (albeit frequently) in meringue recipes where it really matters. Weighing up the odds, I don't think it's worth it to go out and buy a steel bowl if you've already got one as the difference is to minimal.

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Images: Allan Mas, Anna Shvets, Allan Mas, Ketut Subiyanto