It started innocently enough. I just wanted mixing bowls—basic, dependable, preferably not ones that looked like they were last used during the Nixon administration. And then I found them: the Viking 9-Piece Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set. Yes, Viking, because my banana bread batter clearly needed a touch of Norse brutality.
Let’s begin with the aesthetics. These bowls shine like Odin himself polished them. The stainless steel has a gleam that practically screams, “I could survive a Viking raid and still hold your pasta salad.” It’s the kind of kitchenware that makes guests go, “Oh wow, you cook?” even though you just dumped a bag of romaine into the 3-quart and called it rustic.
The set includes 1.5-qt, 3-qt, 5-qt, and a massive 8—qt bowl—also known as the “I had no idea I’d need this much room for coleslaw but here we are” bowl. Each bowl comes with a nonslip silicone base, which, thankfully, keeps the bowl from sliding off the counter when you’re aggressively whisking like you’re on a cooking show and Gordon Ramsay is yelling in your ear.
There are also tight-fitting lids that, miracle of miracles, actually fit—no wrestling required. Just snap them on and pretend you’ve got your life together. Add in the strainer insert—because nothing says “luxury” like draining pasta without using a questionably clean plastic colander from college—and you’ve got a full-fledged culinary arsenal.
Now, let’s talk durability. These bowls are allegedly crafted from “premium stainless steel,” which in practical terms means they didn’t dent the first time I dropped one on my tile floor. A small victory, but a satisfying one. They’ve held up to everything from a three-loaf banana bread baking spree to my regrettable one-time attempt at sourdough. (RIP. 2020 called.)
However, I do have one bone to pick. The tight-fitting and secure lids are a bit stubborn when cold. Trying to remove one after refrigeration felt like participating in a strength trial to prove myself worthy of Valhalla—or maybe just dinner. Still, a minor inconvenience compared to the joy of having leftover guacamole not morph into a brown swamp by morning.
Overall, the Viking Mixing Bowl Set is everything you’d expect from a brand named after seafaring warriors: sturdy, shiny, and just slightly over the top. Do you need a 9-piece set with a strainer and matching lids? Probably not. But will it make you feel like the conqueror of meal prep, the ruler of leftovers, the chieftain of cheese dip? Absolutely.
So go ahead—embrace your inner kitchen Viking. Just don’t try to pillage anything with the 1.5 qt. It’s primarily good for scrambled eggs.