Spoon Rests

Polish pottery spoon rest guide

Which size

The 5 × 3.5-inch rest holds one wooden spoon, spatula or whisk and sits on the stove ledge or between two burners. The 12-inch rest is long enough to lay a ladle flat with the bowl in the deep end, with room beside it for a spoon and tongs; it is the one to buy for a cook who runs several pots at once, or to keep next to a slow cooker all day. Both have a raised lip all the way round, so drips stay in the dish.

More than a spoon rest

The small rest is the right size for a tea bag, a sliced lemon, a pat of butter at the table, or rings and a watch by the sink. The 12-inch rest serves olives, a row of deviled eggs, corn on the cob, or a baguette with butter; it also makes a long soap dish or a tray for a candle and matches.

Care

Dishwasher, microwave, oven and freezer safe. The glaze is non-porous, so a dried-on sauce soaks off in warm water and nothing stains. Both sizes are thick stoneware and heavy for their size, so a spoon handle resting on the rim does not tip them.

Choosing a pattern

Traditional stamps (Peacock 56, Nature 41, Daisy Dreams 120, Polka Dot 42) are the entry price; the "a" patterns (Floral Peacock 166a, Blue Diamond Dream 217a, Star Flower 221a, Blue Blossom 1154a, Blue Serenity Swirls 1073a, Timeless Daisy Delight 1144a, Cherry Blossom Bliss 1363a) and the DU designs (Floral Swirl Celebration DU126, Mosaic Flower DU60, Sweet Violet DU121) come next; signed Unikat rests (Poppies 150ar, Garden Meadow 296ar, Floral Garden 312ar, Regal Bouquet 148ar, Floral Butterfly 149ar) are hand-painted. A spoon rest is the easiest way to try a pattern before committing to a set of plates.

Frequently asked questions

What sizes do the spoon rests come in?

Two: a 5 × 3.5-inch rest that holds one spoon, and a 12-inch rest with a deeper well that holds a ladle, tongs and a spoon together.

Is the spoon rest dishwasher safe?

Yes. Both sizes are dishwasher, microwave, oven and freezer safe, and the glaze does not stain from tomato, curry or beet juice.

Will it stay put on the stove?

Yes. Boleslawiec stoneware is thick and heavy for its size, and the rest has a flat base and a raised rim, so a spoon handle leaning on it does not tip it over.

Can I use it for something other than spoons?

Yes. The small rest works as a tea bag holder, butter dish or ring dish; the 12-inch rest serves olives, deviled eggs or corn on the cob, and doubles as a soap dish or candle tray.