LIANYU Flatware Set Review

We purchased the LIANYU Flatware Set so our reviewer could put it to the test in her kitchen. Keep reading for our full product review.

I was really curious how the inexpensive LIANYU Flatware Set would stack up against other flatware. I made a point of using it for meals and snacks. I inspected them. I spread butter. I ate soup. I ate salad and supper. I washed all of them and started over again. Is this the flatware you want? Maybe. Is it the flatware you need? Possibly. After using them daily, I have opinions.

Design: Compact, shiny, unobtrusive

My first impression of this flatware is how small the box was when it arrived. Was this one four-piece setting? No, it was four 5-piece settings, and it fit in a tiny box. Once I removed the rubber bands and the plastic and spread out the flatware, it looked more substantial. But when I grabbed it to send it through the dishwasher before using it, all of the pieces attempted to nest in my hand to take up just a little less space. What sorcery was this?

With a mirror finish and gentle curves, this flatware looks attractive but it doesn’t call attention to itself. There are no designs or embellishments, but that means this set will pair nicely with just about any dish, whether it’s the good stuff on a holiday or plastic plates at a backyard barbecue.

This set includes four salad forks, four dinner forks, four dinner knives, four teaspoons, and four tablespoons. The only thing missing that might be handy is a storage pouch, so they can be neatly tucked away with the holiday dishes that only come out a few times a year.

Material: Stainless Steel

Made from stainless steel, these are food-safe, rust-resistant, dishwasher-safe, and shiny. They’re more durable than plasticware and won’t break when trying to spear a steak. However, the stainless steel used is 18/0, which is a low-nickel stainless. While this flatware is rust-resistant, it’s not completely rustproof.

Usability: Easy to grab

As I lifted the pieces, I could feel that they weren’t well balanced. The knives in particular were heavier towards the handles, while the small spoons were almost balanced. I wondered if that imbalance would be annoying as I used them. I grabbed a glass and shoved the flatware in by its handles and left them on the counter where I would remember to use them.

The truth is that once I started eating with the flatware, I didn’t even think about them being off-balance. From soup to salads to dinners to scrumptious desserts, I used these daily. They went through the dishwasher multiple times, and they went back into their glass, so I could have them handy for the next use.

One great thing about how compact this set is—and how they fit into a simple glass—is that this set can be placed on the counter for cooking use. The spoons and forks can be used for tasting during cooking and then tossed into the dishwasher. The knives can be used for cutting butter to toss into a pan or to slice off a little sample or taste. Or a knife can be used to smear a bit of peanut butter on a cracker, leaving the better flatware clean in the drawer so they can go on the table for dinner.

The knives have a serrated edge, so they work well for cutting things like ham, turkey, or vegetables. If steak is on the menu, you’ll probably be pulling out the steak knives, but that’s to be expected.

The fork tines are pointy enough to stab into that cherry tomato on the salad, and they slide easily into meats and vegetables, so they’re easy to use. The small spoons are great for stirring coffee or eating ice cream, while the larger ones are nice for soup. Overall, the whole set is so easy to use that I forgot to pay attention to the utensils as I was using them, and paid more attention to the food. And that’s the point, isn’t it?

Upkeep: Easy peasy

These are dishwasher safe, and when I washed them along with the rest of the dishes, they came out looking clean and shiny with no spots or smudges. However, they sometimes showed fingerprints from handling them. For family use, it’s probably not a big deal if there’s a smudge on the handle of a knife, but if these are going on the holiday table it’s probably wise to have a cloth handy to wipe off any smudges. These should not be left soaking for a long time to prevent rust.

Price: Inexpensive

When it comes to flatware, this is definitely on the low end of the scale. They retail for around $20. There are sets that cost four times as much, and they serve the same purpose. This flatware is inexpensive enough to buy a couple of sets to tuck away for holidays, potlucks, and picnics. But while it doesn’t cost much, it still looks nice.

Competition: LIANYU Flatware Set vs. Fiesta Merengue 20 Piece Flatware Set

The Fiesta Merengue 20 Piece Flatware Set is certainly fun, colorful, and not terribly expensive. It’s great for collectors of Fiesta products or for anyone who loves quirky colors on the table. I’d recommend it for people who want to add more color to their dinner table.

On the other hand, the LIANYU set is unassuming. No one’s going to comment on it, and that’s its charm. It will let the place settings, food, and décor be the heroes. It works for family dinners, events, picnics, and cooking. It also comes with a price tag that won’t break the bank. Anyone who needs spare flatware should consider this set, and it’s great for anyone setting up a new kitchen, whether it’s a new home or a new RV.