Regardless of what you cook or what your kitchen skills are, at some point you’re going to need a decent set of mixing bowls. A quality set of bowls is a must for making bread and other baked goods, salads and dressings, and pasta, or basically doing any prep work in the kitchen. Throw in a handy set of lids, and the bowls can also be used to store food on a shelf or in the refrigerator.

There are different types of mixing bowl sets, but stainless steel is at the top of every chef’s list for its durability, light weight, and classic appearance. A quality set of stainless steel mixing bowls will have you mixing and tossing in style for years.

Before you start shopping for a set of stainless steel mixing bowls, you need to know the features that go into a quality set. We can guide you through these issues and let you know how much you can expect to spend. If you want to cut out the prep and just start cooking, we’ve also offered up our picks for some of the best stainless steel mixing bowl sets out there.

• Durable: We’re obviously talking stainless steel here, but even with that you’ll find different grades of steel. The best stainless steel mixing bowl sets are made from metal that’s thick enough to hold up over time but not so thick that it makes the bowls heavy and hard to use. Choose stainless steel that offers a nice shine and appearance and is stain and rust resistant.

• Nonslip: You’ll find nonslip silicone or rubber bottoms on many bowls, although not on all. This material keeps the bowls stationary on the counter when you’re mixing and whisking. It also helps to protect your countertop. Some are available in a choice of colors, which can add a nice decorative touch. Be sure that the silicone or rubber is firmly attached to the bottom of the bowls so that it will neither slip off nor allow water in between the material and the bowl.

• Lip: Another standard feature is a wide or extended lip on the top edge of each bowl, which gives you something to hold onto when stirring and mixing. The lip should be comfortable to hold and not sharp.

• Shape: Stainless steel mixing bowls vary in shape somewhat from set to set. Some are wider than others, and some are deeper. Some bowl sets offer a classic appearance, while others tend toward a more modern look. What you choose will depend largely on your own tastes. Any set you choose should nest together to make storage easy.

Number: The more bowls in the set, the more versatile it is. Stainless steel mixing bowl sets range in size from three to six, with the average being five bowls to a set.

Sizes: The whole purpose of choosing a set of bowls is to have various bowls of different sizes for use in the kitchen. The largest bowl in a set can reach eight quarts, although the largest bowl in most sets is five or six quarts. The other bowls step down in size to around one quart.

Lids: While not all stainless steel mixing bowl sets come with lids, this is a pretty standard feature for most of them. If a set includes lids, there should be a lid for each bowl that fits snugly and preferably provides an airtight or watertight seal. The lids should be made from a BPA-free material. Clear or semi-clear lids will allow you to easily tell what is in a bowl without having to remove the lid. Some sets also offer you a choice of colors so that you can more easily fit the bowls in with your kitchen décor.

Measurement marks: Having measurement marks on the inside of the bowls provides an easy way to measure out flour, sugar, and other ingredients without having to use measuring cups. Not all mixing bowl sets include these, but cooks find that they can be a great help in the kitchen.

Handles: While not standard, some stainless steel mixing bowls include handles so you can more easily hold the bowls when using or carrying them.

Extras/accessories: Other than lids, you won’t find stainless steel mixing bowl sets that come with a lot of accessories. Occasionally, you’ll find a set that includes a recipe book, a grating or slicing insert for the lid, and/or measuring cups.

Maintenance: Are the bowls dishwasher safe, or does the manufacturer recommend washing them by hand? Also check how any included accessories must be cleaned (for example, it’s generally recommended that any lids should be hand-washed).

You can find stainless steel mixing bowl sets for less than $20 and as much as $50 in rare instances. Most are in the $20 to $30 range. At the higher prices, you can expect to find a higher-quality stainless steel, more bowls in the set, and extras such as lids.

• Make a double boiler in a pinch. While not ideal from a safety standpoint, you can use a stainless steel mixing bowl on top of a pot of boiling water to create a double boiler for melting chocolate or creating sauces.

• “Burp” the lid. Force a plastic lid into a tight fit by pressing down on the middle of the lid to “burp” air out of the bowl.

• Dry the bowls completely. Always dry stainless steel bowls completely after washing them, and store them in a dry location.

• Be careful with acidic foods. Be careful when using acidic foods in stainless steel mixing bowls because some stainless steel can react with acids, giving foods an unwanted flavor and possibly staining the bowl.

• Look for deeper bowls for baking. If you plan to use your stainless steel bowls for baking, look for a set with bowls that are deep rather than wide. This will keep flour and other ingredients in the bowl when you’re using an electric mixer.

• Take care with the lids. While it’s usually recommended that you hand-wash the lids, if you must use the dishwasher, place the lids on the top shelf with the heat on low.

• Don’t scour stainless steel. If food gets stuck on the inside of one of your stainless steel bowls, don’t scour it off. Fill the bowl with water and let the food soak off.

In addition to the stainless steel mixing bowl sets we highlight above, we want to point out a few more sets that we really like. The affordable Sagler Mixing Bowl Set features six bowls that range from three-quarters to eight quarts. While a bit more expensive, the three-bowl AVACRAFT Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set offers a variety of features such as handles, pour spouts, and measurement marks. Finally, the attachments available with the three-bowl Wildone Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set provide you with everything you need to grate, slice, and store cheese, vegetables, and more.

Q. Can I use these mixing bowls in the oven?
A. While some manufacturers claim that their bowls can be used at low temperatures in the oven (for example, at 250°F), the majority advise against it. This is particularly true if the bowls have a silicone or rubber nonslip coating on the bottom.

Q. Can I use these bowls with an electric beater?
A. You can, but some bowls scratch more easily than others, so you could end up doing some damage to your bowls. This generally won’t hurt the bowls overall, but it will affect their appearance.

Q. Will the bowls nest with the lids on for storage?
A. They should, although this may vary slightly, set to set. Bowls that include lids should be designed so the lids can be placed on the bowls when they’re nested. This will keep you from having to hunt for the lids when you want to use them.