Please note size diff from the 2 sets in video
I got the first 5 piece ULTIMATE utensil set in 2023 in the blue and loved it. (Details of the dimensions in photo). I use the spoonula for everything from sauting to stirring. I love the large spoon for tasting soup and stews and the ladle is perfect. I use the spoonula so often that I was getting annoyed when I didn’t want to cook without it so I needed a second. I’m not a huge baker so I don’t use the spatula as much as I could but it’s great for removing tomato paste from those tiny cans.I ordered the ESSENTIAL set in Oct 2024 on sale for 2024 for $18 because it was such a steal. (Dimensions in my photos). The ultimate ladel holds 3/4 cups, the essential doesn’t have markings noting the amount, but it’s roughly 1/4 cup. It’s also shorter. I love them both but prefer the ultimate version as it works great for canning as well as serving. The smaller version is perfect for a soup or stew that is being served as an appetizer as the serving will be smaller, ensuring that you don’t over serve and run out of food or overfill the bowls getting people too full for dinner. I only comment on this as I failed to note the size difference with the second purchase.I cook with a deep 13 quart Le Creuset Dutch oven & when canning I’ve got pots as large as 23 quarts. The smaller ladel did fine this week as far as reaching the bottom of my 9 quart Dutch oven but I need to test it with the 13 quart. The spoonula did fine earlier today in the 13 quart, stirred beautifully and had no issues from the heat. Enameled cast iron is a great test for heat resistant silicone as Enameled cast iron holds its heat very well, the inside of the Dutch oven holds its heat for hours. I turned my burner off at 3:30 this afternoon and returned home at 9:45pm. My full 13 quart pot was still slightly warm with the the lid on to retain the heat. This means when the heat is on, that pot, even on low to medium heat, gets extremely hot. My utensils need to be quality to withstand Constant stirring, as well as deglazing the pot. (Stock or alcohol poured into the hot contents to remove the burnt on browned meat, scraping the bottom as you stir. In the past my silicone utensils didn’t hold up well to this use, either warping in shape, becoming chipped/knicked, or melting. The GIR ultimate has endured over a year of daily use with high temperatures and scraping. That’s impressive. So much so I wanted a second set. Despite the minor differences in the ultimate & the essential, I still think the essential is a great option if cost is holding you back from purchasing the “ultimate”.Each individual utensils has varying levels of flexibility. The large spoon has the least give but the spoonula is perfect in my opinion. No issues with melting, tearing or deforming from heat. I cook with very large stock pots where the bottom really retains the heat and have no issues. They are by far the most comfortable grip and handle of anything in my kitchen. I do an annual church soup cook off and refuse to bring my ladle because I’d be too sad if it didn’t return to my kitchen. They don’t stain which is wonderful. Hands down the most used item in my utensils collection.Lastly, if you look at my pictures you’ll see a size example of the red stew spoon. It’s tall enough to reach beyond the top of my Le Creuset 23 quart stock pot with plenty of room for stirring the stock comfortably. I also included a picture the GIR trivet/spoon-rest. On the trivet you’ll see a frontier woman Wooden spoon next to the red GIR spoon. After turning the burner off I touched the wooden spoon handle which was HOT to the touch, simply from being on the stove 5 inches from the now cooling burner. The GIR spoon was still cold to the touch. Then I stirred my HOT HOT stock (low simmer 10 hours) and HELLO BEAUTY, she’s cold. I am never concerned one of my GIR products will melt like my last set did. It gives me a giggle every time I use them. Same with the baster. I brush butter and oil in many of my recipes and man does this thing hold up well. One thing I haven’t mentioned, the feel and grip along with the weight & size is perfect in every way.If I had a con, despite the red not being a true red, it’s that I want more!