How to Choose the Best Travel Utensil Set?
Table of Contents
Top Best Travel Utensil Sets Based on Reviews and Price
Why You Need a Good Travel Utensil Set?
Without any doubt, selecting the best travel utensil set is a weighty decision. The reason is that studies show that an average American spends on only three utensil sets in her lifetime. However, as they plan to use the set for long, they wish to make sure that they choose the right set that will come in handy with them whenever they plan for an enjoyable trip with friends and family.
Top 8 Factors to Consider When Buying a Travel Utensil Set
Just in case, you have decided to shop for the best travel utensil set, you will have to consider different factors in your shopping to end up with the best shopping ever in your lifetime.
1. Material Used
Of course, you will rightly accept that material is the first and foremost consideration in shopping for the travel utensil. The reason is that only some materials can withstand the external temperature and a lot of wear and tear as you travel a lot with it.
Also, all materials are not durable and as you are highly considerate about durability, you should consider the material of the utensil set as an essential consideration before you shop:
Stainless Steel Utensil Set
Stainless Steel shortly referred to as SS is an alloy. It means that it encompasses multiple metals and is available in different compositions and grades. In travel utensil sets, the most common grades of SS material used are 18/10, 18/8 and 18/0. These numbers indicate the percentage of nickel and chromium used in each type of SS utensil. Both these materials can add strength to the steel. However, nickel will help with improving the corrosion endurance and sheen of the alloy.
It is better to choose 18/10 or 18/8 with higher nickel content as the other variant does not contain any nickel, it will corrode easily and in this type, you will see that scratches are visible more. If you find that the manufacturer has not specified this composition, it is a red flag. When you compare SS sets, you will also come across the term ‘INOX”, which is nothing but SS.
Sterling Silver Utensil Set
Solid sterling silver is yet another alloy. It encompasses at least 92.5 percent silver and 7.5 percent of copper by weight. Without copper sterling silver utensils cannot be made as it is a soft material and can deform when making utensils. The problem with this material is that even though it looks good initially, you will have to polish it regularly to retain the sheen. Also, it might not suit your traveling needs as sterling-silver utensils should be properly stored to prevent scratching.
Further, you cannot put sterling silver utensils in a dishwasher. The reason is that it can cause severe damage to the finish of the utensils. In addition to maintenance needs, sterling silver sets will also cost you more as compared to other materials. However, if you wish to own a set with intrinsic value, you can choose a sterling silver-based travel utensil set.
Other Materials
Other than the popular materials mentioned above, you might also come across travel utensil sets made out of other uncommon materials like resin, plastic, and wood. But, when you consider the set in these materials, you should remember one thing, they are not as durable as SS.
Also, you will come across sets with handles in other materials like wood, plastic, and resin. You cannot wash them in a dishwasher. When you take the case of a set with a plastic handle, it will crack, fade and warp in the dishwasher. However, you can choose a set with resin handles as they are durable as compared to other materials.
2. Consider the Finish
Only the finish used in a travel utensil set will decide whether the utensils in the set will look attractive or not. Most SS-based sets come with one of the two popular finishes. They are mirror finish and satin finish:
- The set with mirror finished utensils will have an extremely polished finish.
- The set with a satin finish will have a brushed and muted finish
Rather than a mirror finish, the polished finish can be the best choice. The reason is that they are also aesthetically appealing, but they are less disposed to unappealing fingerprints, which is common in sets with a mirror finish. You can also consider the set with satin finish as it will be easier to hold.
When talking about the finish, you should check whether the finish is uniform all over the utensils. You will find unfinished patches amid the teeth and rough patches in cheaper sets. It means that the producer of this type of set has spared on polishing the entire piece and it has been done only in specific places.
3. Weight and Balance
It is recommended that you should know how it feels in your hand before you shop for any travel utensils. The reason is that weight is a personal choice. Some feel happy about handling lightweight utensils, while some are highly particular that the set should have heavyweight utensils. When it weighs more, it will not be comfortable to handle.
On the other hand, if the utensil in the set is very light and thin, it will often have a cheap look and it can easily bend. The idea here is to choose a set with utensils that are neither heavy nor light, they should be in the middle and comfortable to handle.
4. Length and Shape
Of course, when you plan to buy a travel utensil set, you will be particular that the set should have utensils in different sizes and shapes to meet your needs in different instances. Overall, the length of each utensil in the set should be such that it is easy to handle with the right length. It should not be too long or too short to handle.
5. How About the Package?
As you plan to buy a travel utensil set, you should also consider the type of packaging used to keep every item in the set to be organized properly. Some sets come in travel pouch that you can easily and comfortably carry. Some of them are rightly packed in lightweight boxes that can easily be placed inside your luggage bag.
So, proper packaging is important as it is going to be used when you are on the move. Consider the packaging without fail when you compare different sets before shopping for one. If the package used in water-resistance, you need not have to worry even if it rains when you are moving around with the set in your hands.
6. Contents of the Pack
The travel utensil set investment will be valuable only when the contents of the set include every type of utensil you look for. It can be anything like a fork, a spoon, a knife, a probe, and such essential supplies. It is not essential that the set should have only one of these supplies; there can also be multiple things in different sizes.
The selection on this ground should be made purely on the basis of your requirements. What types of utensils do you feel will be essential in your travel utensil set. Check whether the set that you plan to buy has the required supplies to ensure optimal use.
Blades should be an essential part of the set in addition to knives as they will help with your eating outdoors. When comparing the contents, you should also evaluate the number of pieces included in the set.
7. Contents in Place
As you plan to buy a travel utensil set, one thing you will have to check when you shop for a set is whether the package has the provision for keeping each content of the set in place. Particularly, you are going to travel with the set and so this is an essential feature to consider when you shop.
Also, the zipper lock or other types of locks used in the package should be of good quality to make sure that everything will be in place without moving in positions.
8. Single-use or Multiple-use
Some travel utensil sets are designed mainly for helping people with a set for single-time use. This type of single-use sets will help if you plan for a single-day trip. Once used, you can throw off such a set and can buy a new set for the next trip. You should decide whether a single-use set or a set that will stay with you longer will work for you and should accordingly make the right choice.
Wrapping Up
Traveling brings a whole lot of fun and excitement. It rejuvenates us for new and refreshing days in our lives relieving us of all our stressful thoughts. If you are one such person interested in a lot of travel and need a travel utensil set, you can consider the factors mentioned above in your shopping to end up with the best travel utensils that you can carry during your every trip to ensure the utmost comfort.
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