Which whisk is best?

As an essential part of any kitchen utensil lineup, the whisk blends, mixes and aerates ingredients, allowing you to easily make batter, creams and sauces.

While a whisk may seem like a simple device — a handle attached to wired loops — materials and design influence its effectiveness and quality. When some recipes call for whisking at length, the right one can determine how quickly and comfortably the process goes.

With a proper whisk like this top pick from OXO, cooking and baking become much easier. Learn more about whisks, so you can find the right one for your kitchen.

What to know before you buy a whisk

Types

Balloon: These are the most popular and versatile. With wide loops, they’re best for whipping and blending batter, creams and soups — they’re the go-to whisk.
French: Similar to balloon options, French whisks are a bit narrower and thinner. They offer more precision and can be used in smaller bowls.
Ball: With straight wires featuring balls at their ends, ball whisks are useful for adding air to mixtures, particularly any that are dry and thin.
Flat: This design features one layer of wire loops with a bit of a curve at the end. Use them in shallow bowls or pans, particularly for gravy or sauce.
Spiral: With spiral whisks, a wire loop is at the end of a handle, with a second piece of wire attached to that loop in a series of spirals. These are useful for mixing sauces, gravies and dressings.
Dough: These whisks are meant to tackle tougher, thicker tasks.

Size

Most whisks are 10-12 inches in length. However, you may find some as small as 6 inches or as large as 14. The size of the bowl you’re using should influence the size of the whisk you use.

What to look for in a quality whisk

Material

Stainless steel whisks are among the most durable. Stainless steel provides strong and simple operation; it’s easy to clean and dishwasher-safe. Be careful with certain pots and pans, particularly nonstick options, as stainless steel utensils can scratch and damage them.

Silicone is a smart choice because it won’t scratch nonstick pans. It’s also flexible, durable and typically less expensive than stainless steel.

Plastic whisks are the least expensive option and also the least durable. They can’t withstand high temperatures but can help out if you’re in a pinch.

Handle

When whisking for a long period of time, you want a handle that’s light and comfortable in your hand. Molded silicone is preferred since it prevents fatigue but also allows for a strong grip. Some handles may be ergonomically designed for maximum support. Make sure the handle is sealed—this prevents food or liquid from getting inside and setting.

How much you can expect to spend on a whisk

Quality whisks, particularly those made of stainless steel and silicone, cost $10-$20. Large-size options or sets of whisks can cost over $30.

Whisk FAQ

What type of whisk is most useful?

A. If you can only choose one whisk, the balloon design should cover common tasks like whipping and mixing. If you need two, then a flat whisk is also useful, providing a complementary design that can tend to the jobs the balloon whisk struggles with.

How should I clean a whisk?

A. A dishwasher-safe whisk offers convenient cleaning. If it requires hand washing, however, soak the whisk in a bowl of warm water and soap. Move it around to shake free food and residue, then rinse under hot water. It’s best to wash the whisk as soon as possible after use to avoid food setting.

What’s the best whisk to buy?

Top whisk

OXO Good Grips Silicone Balloon Whisk

What you need to know: This high-quality silicone whisk from a trusted kitchen brand offers both power and comfort.

What you’ll love: This versatile balloon whisk can be used safely on nonstick pans. It provides more power than most silicone options, and it features a comfy grip. It’s dishwasher-safe.

What you should consider: This style is not as firm as stainless steel.

Top whisk for the money

OXO Good Grips Better Balloon Whisk

What you should know: This is a stainless steel whisk that’s useful for smaller spaces and comes at a solid price.

What you’ll love: It’s a durable whisk that’s easy to use and comfortable to hold. It’s powerful enough for large tasks but fits in smaller spaces. It’s dishwasher-safe.

What you should consider: Cleaning can be tedious if it isn’t rinsed immediately.

Worth checking out

KitchenAid Classic Utility Whisk

What you should know: This is an effective whisk from a trusted brand that boasts comfort and efficiency.

What you’ll love: The plastic ergonomic handle is lightweight. The stainless steel head provides power and longevity. It’s dishwasher-safe.

What you should consider: The plastic can be flimsy and delicate.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

Which whiskey barrel planter is best?

A whiskey barrel planter is spacious, sturdy and features rich natural tones that look beautiful in any garden. It brings a refined yet rustic look to any outdoor space and is particularly suited to plants that require more room to grow.

The Best Choice Products Set of Three Rustic Barrel Planters is a full planter set featuring stunning, matching wood barrels in different sizes.

What to know before you buy a whiskey barrel planter

Wood vs. resin

Most solid wood whiskey barrel planters are made from oak, acacia, walnut or maple. These barrels are water-resistant and hold up well. If you’re looking for a barrel that’s fully waterproof, then a resin barrel designed to mimic wood is your best option. Resin is lightweight and very durable, though you will forego natural wood tones.

What to plant

Whiskey barrels are great for planting a wide variety of plants based on your climate and sunlight exposure.

Annuals: You have to replant these each year, but they tend to last well through the season. They are also easy to swap out. Since whiskey barrels are large garden focal points, you don’t want to get stuck with wilting flowers halfway through the planting season.
Water plants: If you’re willing to set your barrel up with a water pump, you can grow a water garden. This will require sealing the inside, creating drainage, and lining the base to prevent rot. Water plants that grow well in a barrel planter include water lilies, papyrus, Japanese sweet flag, elephant ears, pickerel weed and parrot feather.
Vegetables: Barrels are well-suited for growing vegetables. They are great for little patio gardens. Some vegetables that grow well in a barrel are lettuce, onion, spinach, tomatoes, peppers, carrots and peas.
Dwarf trees: Small fruit trees don’t require a lot of space and are often self-pollinating. Dwarf apple, pear, key lime, fig and pomegranate trees are all excellent choices.

Whiskey barrel sets

Since different whiskey barrels have different wood tones and grain, it’s a good idea to buy a full set of planters to ensure a few of them match. Sets come with two to five barrels and cost less than if you purchased five single barrels separately. Sets can come in one size or assorted sizes.

What to look for in a quality whiskey barrel planter

Protective coating

While whiskey barrels are naturally durable, a protective coating will make them last longer. A polyurethane coating or sealer prevents water damage and rot. Keep in mind that a coated barrel won’t have that rough, unfinished look of natural wood and might have more of a shine to it.

Drainage

Proper drainage is key when it comes to planters. Drain holes release excess water and promote healthy soil, helping your plants thrive. Depending on the size of the barrel, you’ll likely want four to six evenly-spaced holes. Each hole should be 1/2 inch to 1 inch in diameter.

Handles

Handles aren’t just decorative on a whiskey barrel planter; they make moving the barrel much easier. Plenty of wood barrels feature metal handles that match the barrel’s hammered metal hoops. Resin and plastic planters are less likely to have handles.

How much you can expect to spend on a whiskey barrel planter

A single whiskey barrel usually costs $20-$100. This varies based on material, size and quantity. A set of two to five barrels costs around $50-$350.

Whiskey barrel planter FAQ

How big is a whiskey barrel planter?

A. A standard barrel planter is about 10-25 inches in width and height. Larger and smaller sizes are available if you have different planting needs, but you usually won’t see a barrel planter larger than 35 inches wide.

Does a whiskey barrel planter need to be lined?

A. You do not need to line a solid oak barrel on the inside, but it’s very helpful to prevent rot. A lining also helps the soil retain moisture, which some plants need. Consider what plants you’re putting in the planter before deciding on adding a liner.

What’s the best whiskey barrel planter to buy?

Top whiskey barrel planter

Best Choice Products Set of Three Rustic Barrel Planters

What you need to know: The set comes with three stained wooden planters featuring metal hardware. The large barrel is 18 inches by 14 inches, the medium barrel is 15 inches by 11.5 inches, and the small barrel is 11.5 inches by 10 inches.

What you’ll love: These are made from real wood that looks beautiful with a stain finish. Each well-made barrel is durable and has built-in drainage holes.

What you should consider: These barrels only come as a set, and you can’t get three of the same size.

Top whiskey barrel planter for the money

Fox Valley Traders Realistic Wood-Look Barrel Planters

What you need to know: This set comes with four round matching plastic planters. Each measures 8 inches by 13 inches.

What you’ll love: These are lightweight but durable. Each barrel is weather-resistant and features built-in drain holes. It’s a great price for a four-piece set.

What you should consider: The faux wood is a nice touch, but it lacks the visual appeal of real wood.

Worth checking out

Southern Patio Whiskey Barrel Planter

What you need to know: This high-density resin planter comes in two colors. It measures 9.1 inches tall by 15.4 inches wide and has a 15.4-inch diameter.

What you’ll love: It’s attractive, durable and lightweight. The resin even mimics woodgrain detailing. It’s also weather-resistant and UV-resistant.

What you should consider: There is a central plug but no additional drainage at the bottom.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

Minnesota United has signed three new players over the previous month, and head coach Eric Ramsay said Tuesday there’s potential for more to join them.

One target surfaced Friday.

The Loons are in “advanced negotiations” to sign 25-year-old Argentine attacking midfielder Joaquin Pereyra from Atletico Tucuman, a source confirmed to the Pioneer Press on Friday. South American reporter Cesar Luis Merlo said details still need to be completed on a proposed deal through the 2027 MLS season.

“As we said, we wanted to be very active this window with — we’ve made a decent start with the three that we have seen so far,” Ramsay said. “Hopefully we can build upon that, but it’s not always as straight forward as things might seem.”

Pereyra primarily plays as a left-sided midfielder and is known more for his creative playmaking than his goal-scoring. He also appears to be a willing defender who could help MNUFC press opponents higher up the field.

Pereyra has four assists and no goals in 742 minutes for Tucuman in 2024, according to fbref.com. He is in his fourth season with the Tucuman in Argentina’s Primera Division; he had four goal contributions in 2,224 minutes in the 2023 season and three goal contributions in 2,267 minutes in 2022.

At age 17, Pareyra’s professional career started at Rosario Central in Argentina, where he played sparingly in five seasons. He played for Famalicao in Portugal in 2020-21.

Two questions

The summer transfer window closes Wednesday, and burning questions remain for Chief Soccer Officer Khaled El-Ahmad.

What is his plan to upgrade the defensive midfield? And how does he plan to improve the squad within MLS?

El-Ahmad has added at center forward, wingback, center back and a winger — not including Pareyra — but MNUFC has yet to address the No. 6 role.

The Loons brought in Carlos Harvey and Alejandro Bran before the season, but the primary starters (when healthy and eligible) remain Wil Trapp and Hassani Dotson. Both Trapp, 31, and Dotson, 27, are in the last years of their contracts. The club holds options on both players for 2025.

If Pareyra’s transfer gets done, that would be another player to push the level of the first team and show how busy El-Ahmad has been this summer. While he’s not expected to revise the entire roster in 2024, a plan for defensive midfield is increasingly among the club’s biggest unknowns.

El-Ahmad traded away Wayzata native Caden Clark to CF Montreal this week, but he’s yet to acquire a player from within the league. There’s talent, potential, affordability and know-how within MLS and El-Ahmad needs to show where he sees value.

Newcomers availability

MNUFC and its three new players — striker Kelvin Yeboah, center back Jefferson Diaz and right wing back Matus Kmet — have been working on work visas with their respective countries.

“I know these things can take unexpected terms, but as I think things stand, hopefully Jefferson and Kelvin and Matus will be good to go for (training on) Monday,” Ramsay said. “And we will give them two clean weeks in the buildup to Seattle, and we will add what we can on top of that. That would be a nice position to be in for sure.”

The Loons are planning to have a to-be-determined friendly match on either Aug. 16 or 17 and then a full week build-up to the restart of MLS play versus Seattle Sounders at Allianz Field on Aug. 24.

Briefly

Sang Bin Jeong has been away from the club for a personal reason since July 23, but is expected to return early next week, Ramsay said. … The Loons had eight first-team players start the MNUFC2 match with The Town on Thursday: Trapp, Dotson, DJ Taylor, Zarek Valentin, Hugo Bacharach, Samuel Shashoua, Jordan Adebayo-Smith and Clint Irwin. MNUFC2 winger Loic Mesanvi smacked a long-range strike in the 1-1 draw. The Loons earned on additional point in penalty kicks.