Bowls, cauldrons and buckets

Bowls, cauldrons and buckets for catering and home use: stainless steel bowls for whisking, mixing and kneading with diameters up to 50 cm, flat-bottomed or hemispherical cauldrons up to 70 cm and 65 litres in capacity, and graduated stainless steel buckets from brands such as Lacor, Pujadas, Inoxibar, De Buyer and Ibili.

Bowls for catering and cooking

Stainless steel bowls

Stainless steel is the go-to material for whisking and mixing: it is harder than the whisk wires, so it doesn't shed particles through friction as happens when you whisk in aluminium containers. The Ibili spherical bowl, with a flat base so it won't wobble on the worktop, goes up to 30 cm in diameter and works for everything from mise en place in the smaller sizes to kneading or serving as a salad bowl. For catering volumes, the Lacor Garinox conical bowl spans 16 to 50 cm in diameter and 0.9 to 22.6 litres. And if you're after bowls with a lid, the Lacor Adapt set of 3 bowls in 18/10 steel adds a non-slip silicone base, stackable bodies, capacity markings inside and airtight BPA-free lids. You'll also find Ilsa bowls, bowls with a non-slip rubber base and a colour-lacquered exterior from Equinox, and the Kitchen Craft MasterClass Smart Space set with a 23.5 cm bowl, an 18 cm strainer and an 18 cm bowl with lid.

Melamine and plastic bowls

For mixing doughs and whisking in comfort, the classic Rosti Mepal Margrethe mixing bowl, available in 3 and 6 litres and in several colours, features a non-slip ring that keeps it steady while you work and withstands up to 70 °C; it takes accessories such as a lid, graters or an anti-splash lid. In wood-effect melamine, Lacor offers the rectangular and round Wood bowls, designed for presentation and service.

Stainless steel cauldrons

Cauldrons are the large-capacity vessels of the professional kitchen. The Pujadas flat-bottomed cauldron, in 18/10 stainless steel, reaches up to 70 cm in diameter and 65 litres; the same brand makes round-bottomed cauldrons and timbale cauldrons. From Lacor and Inoxibar you'll find hemispherical and conical cauldrons, with and without handles, plus the stand for spherical cauldrons that keeps them stable on the prep table.

Stainless steel buckets

The De Buyer conical graduated bucket, 12 litres with a foot, is made from food-grade stainless steel and has interior graduations litre by litre: it measures 31 cm in diameter and 28.5 cm tall, with a 21 cm base. It's joined by the Garinox bucket and the Pujadas steel bucket, along with the Lacor mini bucket for service and presentation.

How to choose

For whisking and whipping, choose a stainless steel bowl with a stable or non-slip base; for doughs at home, a 3 to 6 litre mixing bowl with a non-slip ring; for large production runs, Garinox conical bowls or cauldrons to suit the capacity you need; and for measuring and carrying liquids, a graduated bucket. Complete your kit with the baking utensils, the sieves and colanders and the blenders and mixers.

Frequently asked questions about bowls, cauldrons and buckets

Which bowl is best for whisking and whipping egg whites or cream?

A stainless steel bowl, because it is harder than the whisk wires and doesn't shed particles through friction, which does happen in aluminium bowls. Models like the Ibili spherical bowl, with its flat base, or bowls with a non-slip silicone or rubber base stay steady while you whisk.

What size of kitchen bowl do I need?

For mise en place and sauces, the small 16 to 20 cm diameters are enough; for kneading and salads, between 24 and 30 cm; and for catering, Lacor's Garinox conical bowls reach 50 cm in diameter and 22.6 litres in capacity.

What is a hemispherical cauldron for?

The hemispherical cauldron is the large-capacity vessel typical of the professional kitchen for mixing, resting or carrying preparations. As it has no flat base, it rests on a cauldron stand, also available in this section; if you'd rather stand it directly, choose a flat-bottomed cauldron like those from Pujadas, up to 70 cm and 65 litres.

Do melamine bowls withstand heat?

They withstand moderate heat: the Rosti Mepal Margrethe mixing bowl resists up to 70 °C, enough for doughs and warm preparations, but melamine should not be used for cooking or put in the microwave.

Which bucket should I use to measure liquids in the kitchen?

A graduated food-grade stainless steel bucket like the De Buyer conical 12-litre model, with interior graduations litre by litre and a stable foot, designed for all kinds of foods and liquids in the professional kitchen.