All about gravy boats

A sauce-boat is not a very large vessel, most often it is an oblong-shaped container with a miniature handle and a neat spout, which is used to store and serve all kinds of sauces or gravy on the table. Together with a gravy boat, you can often find a tray in the kit - droplets of sauce remaining on the spout will flow into it. It is considered one of the elements of table setting, which is necessary for serving various sauces, gravy, sour cream, and oils with aromatic herbs to the main dishes.

For liquid sauces a container in the form of a vessel is offered, which resembles in appearance a bottle, jar, decanter. They most often serve vinegar, soy sauce for sushi, and other popular additions to dishes that have already been prepared or were made at home. There is always a lid for them, sometimes in the form of a dispenser for easy operation.

Dispensers for oil or vinegar can be purchased separately or in beautiful sets. The 2 in 1 options look interesting, when a large vessel is divided into two halves, which makes it possible storage of two liquids at once... In this case, the vessels will be completely isolated from each other. It looks beautiful if the container inside has a figured appearance and is made of colored glass.

Gravy boats for sushi completely different from European devices. They are too low and most often come in a rectangular shape. In such a container, soy sauce is served to each individual guest.Sushi or rolls are dipped in a gravy boat filled with seasonings, where they are lightly soaked with them, and immediately after that they are eaten. You can find stylish doubles on sale - liquid soy sauce will be served in the first half, and thick wasabi in the second.

In certain cases, the gravy boat will play the role of a special liquid separator, when the contents of the gravy boat, under the influence of gravity, will be divided into light and heavy fractions, and a special tube going to the spout of the vessel will deliver the contents not from the surface of the container, but from its bottom.

The volume of a classic gravy boat ranges from 50 ml to 250 ml.

Most of the products that can be found in stores will differ from each other in terms of volume:

• sauceboats 30 ml - they can transport the amount of sauce that is calculated for 1-3 persons;
• gravy boat 50 ml - perfect for the volume of ketchup and mayonnaise already for 3-4 persons;
• gravy boat from 75 ml to 80 ml will hold a large amount of spices, mustard, mayonnaise.
• gravy boat in 250 ml or 350 ml perfect for a bulk portion of the sauce, which is calculated for all those present, so that any guest himself can determine how much sauce for the dish he wants to measure from the total container.

The smallest gravy boats are selected for serving each guest in portions and are perfect for sauces that should be served in small quantities. It's etiquette to dip your food slices directly into your portioned gravy boat with mayonnaise, hot cheese, ketchup, or hot chocolate.

The most popular are ceramic gravy boats. Such products are perfect for cold, warm and even hot sauces, they are very easy to clean, they are not afraid of food acid. Ceramic products are of various types and may vary in cost. This includes dishes from graceful weightless porcelain, all affordable faience, as well as glazed ceramics.

Glass is a type of material that attracts housewives with its ease of care. Through the transparent surface of the glass, you can clearly see what the gravy boat is filled with. But in certain cases, it is this fact that can become a negative moment and a refusal to exploit it. In this case, it is better to choose thickened glass.

Not afraid of blows or falls, metal gravy boats are most often released made of stainless steel and silver. Stainless steel products are lightweight and practical, they are very convenient to use for everyday table setting and use in the country.

Steel and iron cookware suitable for sauces with different serving temperatures.

For various types of events, small (50 ml) plastic disposable gravy boats are most often purchased. In this case, buying them has certain advantages.

• Practicality. Disposable tableware will not take up much space and weigh a little.
• Availability. You can buy disposable gravy boats in any store and in any quantity.
• Disposal. After use, the gravy boat is recycled, and you do not need to wash dirty dishes.
• Wide functionality. Sauce boats can be used for various dishes.

The container for sauces can be made in the form of an animal or even a stylish geometric figure; in this case, this kind of accessory will become the central figure on the festive table. Depending on the volume, the gravy boat can be placed directly on the guest's plate or placed next to the salad bowls or not far from the main dishes.

In cooking, there is a classification of accessories designed for storing creamy supplements. Their appearance will depend on the main component of the sauce and the type of dish to which it will be offered.

Classic table gravy boat Is a rectangular cup with a small molded spout and a small handle. It is known that vessels of this kind appeared in everyday life in ancient times.

At first, these were truly luxurious silver items, which were used only by the aristocratic elite. And only by the end of the 19th century, these products were significantly simplified and began to be included in ordinary dining services. It is from here that such a huge range of designs, materials and models of gravy boats came from - from stunning luxury to dry minimalism.

Round gravy boats small volumes are intended for serving in portions or serving thick sauces. Since these models do not have a spout, such products have a small spoon in the kit.

Spoutless oval products that look more like small tureens are usually considered large gravy boats. It is convenient to store and serve sour cream, adjika, spaghetti sauce or dessert, lecho in them. Most modern gravy boats have a lid, but models without lids can also be found on sale.

In shape, you can designate gravy boats that have a leg. A small leg will raise a low gravy boat, preventing it from getting lost on the table among many other dishes. Legs can be decorated with paintings and other decorative elements. The crockery leg also has a more practical function - it helps to completely isolate the product from other dishes that are hot, wet or cold.

There are a huge number of brands on the modern market, in the sets of dishes which you can easily find a beautiful and suitable gravy boat for you.

• Manufacturer RAK Porcelain from UAE offers Banquet porcelain tableware that combines functionality, strength and elegance. Due to its extraordinary durability and impact resistance, the gravy boat from this set is especially popular with consumers.
• Churchill - it is the leading manufacturer of porcelain tableware in the UK. Churchill gravy boats are distinguished by their exquisite appearance and will be a great decoration for any festive feast thanks to the author's decor.
• Dutch company Hendi was founded in 1933 and is the European market leader in professional catering equipment. The choice of the buyer is offered gravy boats made of various materials and original appearance.
• Kunstwerk Is a Chinese cookware manufacturer that will offer you the most creative gravy boats from deep black to pure white.
• If you want to purchase a complete set of elegant dishes with a stylish gravy boat, then you should turn your attention to the company Anna Lafarg Emily and her Charm sets from bone china.

In order to choose the right gravy boat, you should first pay attention to the material from which it is made - so that it has high thermal conductivity, is as resistant to various influences as possible, ideally so that it has a special coating to protect it from possible oxidation.

The voluminous gravy boats are equipped with two handles and the most stable bottom to prevent unpleasant situations while cooking.

The bottom of a metal product can be copper or aluminum - these materials are characterized by increased thermal conductivity (they will retain heat for a long time), but the walls of the vessel can be made of a much more durable material - steel.

Good gravy boats will have a completely flat bottom and a sturdy handle that will always be cold so as not to burn yourself while using the product. Too thin products made from light material can easily deform, heat unevenly, which will affect the quality of the sauce.

Many gravy boats will have a lid, but there are models without this important element. However, when choosing them, you should take into account that constant interaction with oxygen will seriously affect the taste of the sauce. When buying, you should take a closer look at the quality of the lid and especially the quality of the handle. It should be as convenient as possible to use, it is better that it looks like a loop.

For elongated products, the handle will be singular. It can be located slightly above the edge of the dish or just below the top rim. Rounded gravy boats usually have two handles, or they may not have them at all. When choosing a traditional-style gravy boat, evaluate the shape of its spout. The wide spout is most suitable for very thick gravy, for sour cream and mayonnaise, berry or cheese sauces. Narrow is just perfect for liquid sauces and ketchups.

A set on a stand (tray) will allow you to keep the table surface clean during a feast.

In the next video review, you can get acquainted with the Monbento gravy boats.