Material reBowl Mixing Bowl Review

There aren’t too many things in my kitchen I’d say I love. Sure, a great compost bin is helpful, but I draw the line at amorous feelings. But ask me about my reBowl and you’d better pull up a chair: I’ve got some things to say. This excellent mixing bowl is cleverly designed, durable, and comes in a handful of trendy colors (the cooking equipment trifecta, if you ask me). It’s a top-tier bowl for mixing batters and is also an excellent serving bowl. I own two, but I wish I had a dozen more.

What Is the reBowl For?

Of course, the primary function of the reBowl is as a mixing bowl. I use it to mix meatballs, dress salad, and whisk scrambled eggs. But I reach for it just as frequently when I need a serving bowl. It’s certainly pretty enough to deserve a spot at the dinner table.

I also regularly eat lunch out of it, and I’m not the only one. Serious Eats’ associate commerce editorial director Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm says, “I always find myself reaching for it for ginormous lunch salads.” Need a fruit bowl on the fly? The reBowl fits a bunch of bananas, a mango or two, a few apples, and a smattering of lemons beautifully.

What Makes the reBowl Great?

The reBowl is perfectly designed for, well, mixing items. It has a sturdy footed bottom which keeps it from slipping around my counter as I whisk together waffle batter or toss salad greens with a vinaigrette. I used to place a damp kitchen towel underneath flat-bottomed bowls to keep them from sliding, and I appreciate that the reBowl remains steady all on its own. The gently flared lip makes pouring easy, with minimal drips and spills. And at 2.75 quarts, it’s big enough to handle most recipes.

But that’s just one category of awesomeness. This mixing bowl is also virtually indestructible. I got my first reBowl to replace a limited-edition, discontinued ceramic bowl I bought for way too much money then promptly dropped on a ceramic floor. (Sigh.) The reBowl is microwave-safe and dishwasher-safe, and you couldn’t crack it if you tried. Unlike ceramic and metal mixing bowls, it doesn’t show scratches after whisking egg whites or whipped cream. It’s lightweight—about 13 ounces—which you know matters if you’ve ever lifted a heavy glass bowl full to the brim with cookie dough. And it nests, so you can stack a set without taking up an entire cabinet.

I asked Riddley why she likes the reBowl, since she also owns and loves one. Here’s her take: “I love this bowl. I’ve owned one for years and it looks good as new. It’s also slightly fancier than plain ol’ stainless steel.” Agreed!

What Are the Cons of the reBowl?

Unlike metal or glass bowls, the reBowl can’t be used over heat. If you don’t regularly temper chocolate that may not be a deal-breaker, but it’s good to know. It doesn’t come with a lid, which makes me sad every time I have to put away leftovers.

Is the reBowl a Good Buy?

I think it’s the best plastic mixing bowl you can buy. In fact, I’ll go so far as to say you should have more than one. I also own two reBoards, Material’s plastic cutting board made from the same blend of materials, and I use them very frequently since they’re so lightweight and easy to clean. It’s a safe bet that anything Material puts the “re-” treatment to, I will buy, use, and enjoy.

FAQs

Are plastic mixing bowls dishwasher-safe? 

Most are, but you should check with the manufacturer before running your bowl through a cycle. The reBowl is dishwasher-safe, and I can report that it dries very quickly after hand-washing, too!

Is the reBowl a mixing bowl or serving bowl?

It’s definitely both. The footed bottom keeps it steady during mixing, and it adds a bit of flair on a dinner table.

Why We’re the Experts

• Rochelle Bilow is a commerce editor for Serious Eats.
• Previously, she worked at Bon Appétit and Cooking Light, as well as a line cook and professional baker.
• Rochelle has been reviewing kitchen equipment for three years. She has owned the reBowl for over a year and uses it almost daily.