Cheap Matfer 12" Slotted Pelton Spatula

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List Price: $18.99
Sale Price: $10.76
Today's Bonus: 43% Off

'Cook's Illustrated':

"While they may be called fish spatulas, these flexible, thin spatulas are equally adept at flipping chicken cutlets and steaks. We tested five popular brands--three metal and two nonstick--by flipping numerous batches of flaky haddock fillets (in large and small skillets) and found (once again) that price is not indicative of value.

Priced around $7, the Matfer slotted Pelton fish spatula outperformed the Global, which cost eight times as much. The Matfer received raves for its comfortable handle, long blade, and exceptional performance. Because of its smooth, slippery plastic and Fiberglas composition (exoglass), the spatula nimbly flipped fish without scarring the delicate flesh (as the metal spatulas did), and it is completely safe for nonstick skillets.

We recommend fish spatulas with one caveat: They are designed for right-handed cooks. Some companies make left-handed versions as well, but Matfer does not."

JG caveat: Since this is not an Amazon site product, the ridiculously high $5 shipping charge may direct the purchaser to a gourmet shop, or cooking supplies store such as 'Bed, Bath and Beyond'.

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I have had this product for many years now (between 5 and 10 years) and I love it. After I had used it for a few months, I got rid of all of my traditional shaped (rectangle head) spatula turners since I love the Matfer so much. It is comfortable in the hand and must have been ergonomically designed for turning. I am right-handed and due to the angle on this spatula, I assume that it would not be comfortable for lefties.

I use this spatula to turn foods in a pan (flip eggs, roasted veggies, etc) and especially for removing cookies from the pan. It is great for nonstick cookware. It has the right amount of flexibility. The grey color has discolored over several years (now a kind of yucky yellowish/brownish grey) and the front edge has worn slightly. But it has held up very well with my frequent use. The only thing I don't like is that sticky foods will get stuck in the slots and is more work to clean. Overall, I would definitely purchase again and I recommend this product.

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This spatula was recommended by Cooks Illustrated. I agree with their recommendation. I never appreciated how bad my pervious non-stick spatulas were to use. The Matfer Pelton's shape and thin edge make it a useful addition to my kitchen tools.

Honest reviews on Matfer 12" Slotted Pelton Spatula

The "Product Features" for this spatula tout it as being "Heat resistant up to 430F degrees fahrenheit" and the "Amazon.com Review" says it's made to stand up to "extra-high heat" and that you needn't worry if you leave it leaning against a hot pan because "it won't melt." In fact, upon my first or second use of this product, it melted. I didn't even leave it leaning against a hot pan, or use it with "extra-high heat," as far as I can tell. I was simply using it to flip salmon fillets in a hot skillet, and the mere act of making contact with the skillet for a few split seconds to scoop the spatula under the fillets caused the front edge of the spatula to melt. So, can't really heartily recommend this for most skillet cooking occasions.

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I ordered this spatula based upon the positive reviews it received, coupled with my need for a Teflon safe utensil suitable for a smaller pan. What I got was a cheap plastic turner that is virtually indistinguishable from any number of other MUCH cheaper plastic turners carried by the discount stores. How America's Test Kitchen designated this a category winner is beyond me, though I'll give them the benefit of doubt and assume that when priced under $5 it was no worse than others in the comparison and won on low price alone. Let no one convince you that this is anything other than a cheap drugstore utensil and it certainly does not possess any magical french gourmet qualities. All those positive reviews surely were written by the same folks that are convinced the emperor really is wearing magical garments.

While I have to admit that this spatula is not particularly any worse than others in the $2 or $3 range, I've also got to mention the absurdity of charging $12 for a product that is no better made than a plastic picnic fork. The product arrived in a cardboard sleeve replete with french slogans and assurances of authenticity. It also was replete with mold flashing and needed a fair amount of owner finishing to render it safe to cook with. The blade front is not formed particularly well and tends to stick to items like fried eggs when one tries to separate 2 or 3 prior to turning to the second side. Additionally, the shaft is noticeably not up to the task of lifting heavier items such as chops, small filets, or fish, either for turning or for removing to plate. I'm not sure exactly what it's made of but whatever qualities the designers were looking for (other than possibly high heat resistance) clearly weren't met.

It's very possible that there just isn't any perfect tool when it comes to these sorts of utensils as I don't have a specific recommendation for a better performer. Silicon tools tend to be too thick to comfortably slip under fragile foods such as eggs and fish; nylon has a very low melt temperature, and the harder plastics can scratch non-stick surfaces. All I can assure you is that this is no panacea and is seriously overpriced for what it is. Take all those glowing 5 star reviews with a large grain of sea salt.