A spatula is a widely used yet often underappreciated cooking champion for cooks and bakers alike. And so it should easily feel like an extension of one’s arm, nimbly stirring, scraping and folding any food put in its path. And like the many purpose of an arm, the spatula also offers various kinds that fit specific tasks like turning things on a pan or griddle, folding batters, lifting pastries, and releasing fond from the bottom of a pan.

So, without further ado, let's discuss the different types of spatulas your kitchen needs:

1. Fish Spatula

Contrary to its name, this well-regarded tool has more than what meets the fin. Its not just used for flipping your fish fillet from the pan without tearing out its flesh. This sturdy, slotted plane of stainless steel with an asymmetrical beveled edge. It also has long slots that allow any liquid to drain away. Its multipurpose from flipping pancakes, grilling burger and removing items from a roasting pan. It has a much longer head and relatively thinner as compared to its other varieties, which makes it easy to slide under thin foods and for flipping delicate items perfectly.

2. Offset

A definite kitchen staple for bakers or even those aspiring ones. Offset spatulas are long narrow tools that have a thin, flat and blunt metal blade or paddle at one end. Too dull to be of any use in a duel, the flexible blade, and rounded head make it a formidable weapon for fighting culinary battles like spreading frosting unto a cake or pushing batter into an even layer in a cake pan or getting those nice swoops for cake designs.

3. Silicone

Sure, they are cute and fun but these tools aren’t just pretty to look at, thanks to their smooth edges and vibrant colors—they are also kitchen must-haves. Silicone can withstand high heat. You can stir hot sauces in the pan and not worry about it melting. They’re dishwasher friendly, gentle on the bottom of the pots and are much less like to absorb the smell or colors of the food.

4. Turner

This spatula consists of a long handle and a wide thin surface that is usually shaped like a trapezoid. It may be solid or slotted, and the blade is roughly the size of a human hand. The tip is often tapered to make it easy to slide under foods. It’s great for easing under delicate subjects, for transferring from here to there, and even for smashing things down, too.They are usually heat-proof but be careful not to leave it sitting in the pan for to long because you don’t want to serve melted spatula.

5. Wooden Spatula

This flat wooden utensil is a kitchen workhorse. It differs from the other kinds of spatulas because it has a flat head that is not angled at all. This is because its purpose is not to flip but instead to toss food in the pan. You'll usually see these spatulas in conjunction with one another in tossing any stir-fried food in a wok. It is ideal to buy one which has the same wooden material all throughout, to lessen food build-up over time.

After hearing the kinds of spatulas in all its glorious forms, I think we can all agree that every cook will more likely need several spatulas in their toolkit. Whether you're a professional or a reluctant home cook, which of these tools are already within reach in your kitchen?