606361 Tue Mar 24 08:27:54 -0700 2009 6 41 Cookware 0 4533105 I just had a stark realisation: I won't be able to use my favorite scooper in my le creuset pan (the enamel). It's a metal fish slice. Is there a sturdy non-metal alternative? I have wooden spatulas, but they don't have enough flex to get in under a steak. And I'm wary of plastic ones being either too thick, or too thin and flimsy. There may exist a silicone coated metal slice, but I haven't seen it. Tue Mar 24 08:27:54 -0700 2009 180623 Soop 1 4533342 You can use metal in your LC - just be more careful and don't bang the utensil or scrape real hard. I'm going to advise you not to cook fish in your enameled LC though, it will stick quite nicely to your pan. Cast iron, non-stick, hell even stainless is probably better than LC for fish. Tue Mar 24 09:36:22 -0700 2009 4533105 42270 HaagenDazs 2 4533383 Thanks for the heads up. I might have a go with it, but I'm bound to become careless after a while. If I get no definite recommendations, I'll just keep my eyes open for one. However I get the impression that this could be one of those things where I go through a load before I find the right one. Tue Mar 24 09:47:43 -0700 2009 4533342 180623 Soop 3 4533414 Yeah - keep looking. The thing is that the thinness and sturdiness of your metal fish slice spatula isn't easily duplicated by anything else. You're right to be wary of the plastic ones but I don't think you're going to find much else. Edit: http://www.shopworldkitchen.com/index.asp?pageID=231&upc=70950040517 You can try that. Same general style as your current turner. It's advertised as "satisfaction guaranteed" so I only assume you can return it if you don't like it. Tue Mar 24 09:53:54 -0700 2009 4533383 42270 HaagenDazs 4 4533475 Thanks, that looks pretty sweet Tue Mar 24 10:07:29 -0700 2009 4533414 180623 Soop 3 4533687 When I am concerned about scratching a pan, these are my current choices, depending on the shape of the fish, though I still keep an eye out for an even better one. The first one has a thinner, more flexible, front edge; the second is about an inch wider and two inches shorter. Large Silicone Flexible Turner http://www.oxo.com/OA_HTML/xxoxo_ibeCCtpOXOPrdDtl.jsp?section=10047&item=51792&minisite=10024&respid=53057 Silicone Flexible Pancake Turner http://www.oxo.com/OA_HTML/xxoxo_ibeCCtpOXOPrdDtl.jsp?section=10047&item=51791&minisite=10024&respid=53057 Tue Mar 24 11:05:17 -0700 2009 4533383 153308 souvenir 1 4534180 I'm a big fan of the Matfer Bourgeat polyamid pelton spatulas for this sort of thing. They're flexible due to their slotted construction but hard enough for lifting heavy items and also hard enough so the edge can be made thin and will slide under most things. I have a couple that I bought at Bridge in NYC many years ago and they've held up very well. Also pretty cheap. Go here: http://www.matferbourgeatusa.com/catalog.asp and search on "pelton spatulas." Tue Mar 24 13:08:10 -0700 2009 4533105 10207 FlyFish