You are uncertain about choosing between 5-qt and 8-qt mixing bowls and do not know which one is right for you. From making a simple pancake batter for breakfast to cooking a big holiday meal for lots of people, you need a bowl. I have used both sizes of bowls extensively. Let me explain which size is ideal for you in terms of your cooking needs.
5qt Mixing Bowls Review
You are a person who would like to cook smaller recipes and prep meals. If you have a family with a small group of members, you should go for the 5-qt mixing bowl. The bowl is lightweight, and you will feel comfortable moving it from one place to another. The compact size of the bowl can help you store it in a smaller rack in your kitchen. I love using this compact mixing bowl to whisk eggs and marinate meat. But if you are the person who has to cook for large groups of people, it is better not to choose a 5-qt mixing bowl. Because cooking for lots of people needs more space for vigorous mixing. You may feel restricted with this smaller-sized bowl while mixing meal. 5qt mixing bowl is better for everyday small cooking preparations.
| Things I Like | Things That Could Be Better |
|---|---|
| Compact and easy to store | Limited capacity for big batches |
| Great for small recipes | Not ideal for large families |
| Lightweight and easy to handle | May lack advanced features |
| Dishwasher-friendly | Less room for vigorous mixing |
8qt Mixing Bowls Review
You host parties with many people. Also, you have a big family with lots of members. You should go for 8qt mixing bowl. The bowl has a large capacity to hold big batches of dough. You can also prepare plenty of salads with it. Mostly, the 8qt mixing bowl has sturdy stainless steel construction guarantee. It can last longer and give you best performance when it comes to cooking. It has great stability for tasks like kneading dough. But 8qt bowls are heavier. You also need a larger size storage space to keep it. Keep in mind that if you prioritize ease of transport and control of your kitchen space, you should go for a 5qt bowl.
| Things I Like | Things That Could Be Better |
|---|---|
| Spacious for large batches | Takes up more storage space |
| Durable stainless steel build | Heavier than smaller bowls |
| Ideal for family-sized meals | May require careful dishwasher placement |
| Versatile for various tasks | Less compact than smaller bowls |
5qt vs 8qt Mixing Bowls
| Feature | 5qt Mixing Bowl | 8qt Mixing Bowl |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | Holds up to 20 cups; ideal for small to medium recipes like pancake batter. | Holds up to 32 cups; perfect for large recipes like stuffing or potato salad. |
| Recipe Compatibility | Works well for everyday recipes like spaghetti carbonara or kale salad. | Suitable for larger recipes like green papaya salad or big batches of dough. |
| Meal Preparation | Great for prepping smaller portions, such as marinating meat or whisking eggs. | Ideal for tossing large salads or preparing meals for gatherings. |
| Material | Available in stainless steel, glass, ceramic, and plastic; lightweight and durable. | Same materials but heavier; stainless steel is the most durable option. |
| Dimensions | Compact at ~12″ diameter and ~5″ height; easy to store in small kitchens. | Larger at ~13″ diameter and ~6″ height; requires more storage space. |
| Ease of Cleaning | Fits easily into standard dishwashers without taking up much space. | May require careful placement in the dishwasher due to its larger size. |
| Mixing Efficiency | Best for hand-mixing smaller batches without splattering. | Prevents spills during vigorous mixing of thick batters or doughs. |
| Weight | Lightweight and easy to maneuver, even when full. | Heavier when filled but provides stability during mixing tasks like kneading dough. |
| Storage Space | Compact design makes it ideal for smaller kitchens or cabinets. | Requires more storage room but offers versatility for large-scale cooking tasks. |
| Price | Affordable and practical for everyday use. | Slightly more expensive but worth it for frequent large-batch cooking or baking. |
Capacity:
Winner: 8qt Mixing Bowl; The 8 qt mixing bowl takes the lead over the 5 qt in terms of capacity. It can hold up to 32 cups, which is perfect for making large recipes like potato salad. As I mentioned, the bowl is best; if you host dinner parties with many people, you can prepare meals for a big family.
On the other hand, the 5 qt bowl can hold up to 20 cups. The bowl is ideal for smaller recipes like pancake batter. It can help you if you have a small family. But if you have a big family, you may struggle. You should consider how much food you have to prepare before making your decision. I will suggest you go for the 8 qt if you think much about the capacity of the mixing bowl.
Recipe Compatibility
Winner: Tie; If I have to talk about recipe suitability, both mixing bowls are good in their respective uses. You can use the 5qt bowl for everyday recipes like spaghetti carbonara, kale salad, and so on. It is perfect for smaller portions of recipes. On the other hand, you can use the 8qt mixing bowl to make green papaya salad, big batches of dough, and many more. It can tackle larger amounts of recipes.
Meal Preparation
Winner: 8qt Mixing Bowl; If you are a person who needs to prepare a lot, you should choose an 8 qt mixing bowl. For meal preparation, the more space you have, the more comfortable you can mix. You can mix things like big batches of Caesar salad without worrying about spills. But if you do not have to think about spilling when mixing food, you should go for a 5 qt. You can prepare small portions like marinating meals, whisking eggs, and so on.
Material
Winner: Tie; Both 5qt and 8qt are built with stainless steel, glass, ceramic, and plastic materials. As we all know, stainless steel is good for durability. Although steel is a little heavy, it is worth buying. It makes the mixing bowl strong. We feel safe when we do cooking work using a steel bowl. Glass, ceramic, and plastic materials are decent, but I prefer stainless steel. Stainless steel lasts longer than other materials.
Dimensions
Winner: 5qt Mixing Bowl; Most of the 5qt mixing bowl has a diameter of 12 inches, and the height of the bowl is 5 inches. With the flexibility of this compact size, you can easily store it in tight spaces. You will feel hassle-free when storing it in a smaller storage room. On the other hand, most of the 8qt mixing bowl has a diameter of 13 inches and a height of 6 inches. You may require more space to store it in the storage room. You may find it challenging to store it in tight spaces.
Ease of Cleaning
Winner: 5qt Mixing Bowl; The smaller 5 qt mixing bowl is easier to clean in a dishwasher than the 8 qt. You can easily fit the 5 qt mixing bowl in the dishwasher, which will not take up much space. On the other hand, the 8 qt is also dishwasher-friendly. But because of the extra size of the mixing bowl, you have to be careful when it comes to cleaning. You also have to look all around the bowl to see if there are any dirt spots left. If you have a small family and you want hassle-free cleaning, you should go for the 5 qt.
Weight
Winner: Tie; 5qt is generally a lightweight design so that you can move it around. The mixing bowls are especially helpful for children and older people. But if you do not care about weight and your focus is on intensive tasks, you should go for an 8qt bowl. As an adult, you may not feel uncomfortable using it. Because you might have enough strength in your body.
Price
Winner: Tie; The price of the bowls is defined based on their features and capacity. You may find a 5 qt bowl less expensive than an 8 qt. A 5 qt is a budget-friendly mixing bowl. On the other hand, you may have to spend more money on 8 qt bowls because they have more capacity than 5 qt. But sometimes, 5 qt mixing bowls are more expensive than 8 qt while a 5 qt has more features than an 8 qt. You should choose a mixing bowl wisely and always prioritize your needs before buying.
FAQ
What is the main difference between 5qt and 8qt mixing bowls?
5qt bowls and 8qt bowls’ difference lies in capacity. 5qt bowls are better for small recipes while 8qt bowls are better for large batches.
Are 8qt mixing bowls harder to store than 5qt ones?
Yes, 8qt bowls require more storage space due to their larger size.
Which mixing bowl is better for everyday use?
The 5qt mixing bowl is more practical for everyday use. Especially for smaller recipes and kitchens with limited space.
Can I use a 5qt bowl for baking bread dough?
A 5qt bowl might be too small for mixing thick dough. An 8qt bowl is a better choice for this job.
Are both sizes dishwasher-friendly?
Yes, both sizes are dishwasher-safe. But the larger 8qt bowls need careful placement because of their big size.