Bowls can be used for almost anything and everyone has one in the kitchen. Whether you like to put liquids or solid food no matter the amount, it is convenient to have it at hand but not every bowl is made with the same material.
Some can endure high temperatures like baking while others are fragile but can be extremely beautiful to the eye of the beholder. Perhaps this list can help you decide which type of bowl you would like to use more often at home.
1. Glass bowls

It’s a transparent bowl that helps you see through the things you put in it and it is also commonly used by many people so it is quite accessible and cheap to get one. It can withstand some heat but is still considered fragile. However, it does make it unique because you can’t see the contents through bowls of other materials.
Material: Glass
Size available: 8cm/ 9cm/ 10cm/ 13cm
Price: RM 2.50~Rm13.88
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
2. Metal Bowls

Metal bowls are very common so you can get them almost anywhere at your convenience. You can use it for baking, storage, and even serving food in it. However, you might not want this in the microwave because you can get serious burns on your hands if you are not careful enough.
Material: Stainless Steel
Size available: 15.5cm~47cm
Price: RM 9.90
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
3. Bone China Bowls

This type is quite fragile but stronger than your regular fine china bowls. If you ever buy one, you still need to take extra care of it. People tend to buy it for their collection or special occasions because of their beautiful designs similar to its counterpart of fine china bowls.
Material: China clay, china stone, bone ash
Size available: 14 cm
Price: RM 38.00
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
4. Porcelain Bowls

This bowl is fired between 1,200 – 1,450 degrees Celsius using the kiln process which results in a shiny and translucent look. It has the essence of a delicate look and is thinner compared to ceramic bowls but you can place your trust on it, that it is a hard and durable bowl to use.
Material: Refined clay
Size available: 13cm/ 15cm/ 17cm/ 20cm
Price: RM 7.80
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
5. Silicone Bowls

Silicone bowls are nice to use because it’s easy to clean and it doesn’t take up much space because it is not made out of hard material. For some people, it is commonly used for baby feeding bowls as it is easier to take care of.
Material: silicone, beechwood
Size available: 10cm
Price: RM 15.90
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
6. Ceramic Bowls

Ceramic bowls are commonly used and can come in many different textures, designs, and colors so you can imagine how pretty it looks when you are serving food in them. If you prefer, it can also be used as a decorative bowl on the shelves or living room to achieve your aesthetic needs.
Material: Clay
Size available: 10cm/ 12cm/ 15cm/ 17cm/ 20cm
Price: RM 8.64
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
7. Ramekins

If you are a fan of anything sweet, then you have definitely seen a ramekin at least once in your life. It is typically used in making a souffle or creme brulee because it can withstand high temperatures compared to most bowls.
Material: glazed stoneware/ ceramics/ porcelain
Size available: 6cm/ 7cm/ 8cm/ 10cm
Price: RM 5.60
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
8. Earthenware bowls

These are made from clay that is fired between 1,000 and 1,150 degrees celsius through the kiln process and they are very hard. They contain tiny holes where the liquid and air can seep through, but a glazing process can be done before it gets through the kiln so the bowl can be waterproof. You might have seen it as clay pots where they are the glazed type.
Material: Clay
Size available: 13cm/ 15cm/ 18cm/ 20cm
Price: RM 35.10
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
9. Stoneware bowls

These bowls are very sturdy and also use a certain kind of clay to form it and then fired in 1,200 degrees celsius. It’s waterproof and does not require any glazing over it but it has pretty designs. In fact, these bowls are safe to use in microwaves and dishwashers.
Material: Clay
Size available: 12 cm/18cm
Price: RM 23.90
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
10. Copper bowls

Copper bowls have been around for a really long time but maybe you are more familiar with the ones used in rituals or shrines. However, they can actually be used for mixing due to their ability to stabilize egg whites. This is because it reacts with the copper ions and becomes firm more easily.
Material: Brass
Size available: Approx. 12 x 6.3cm / 4.7 x 2.5in
Price: RM 85.36
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
How to care for and maintain your food bowl:
- Simmer your bowl in hot water to remove any oily stains
- Do not clean too vigorously especially on the more fragile bowls
- Do not use sharp objects on the bowl or you will scrape it
- After washing the bowl, place it upside down to dry
Overall, you should get a bowl that suits your needs and wants at the moment. For example, if you love to bake then you should get more bowls that are heat resistant so it is convenient to use whenever you need them. If you love having guests over for dinner, then maybe choose a bowl with a pretty design but durable enough to handle the dishes. It helps to set the mood and pleases the eyes when eating at home.
Disclosure: This list was compiled by the team at My Weekend Plan after extensive research and shared opinions to suggest helpful recommendations for the public. The sequence of brands is in no particular order so if you have any other great suggestions too, please email us support@myweekendplan.com.my. For more information, kindly refer to our copyright, privacy & disclosure policy.