What Is a Bowl Scraper?

I take into account myself a minimalist within the kitchen. Possibly that comes from dwelling in tiny areas for many of my grownup life, or from my time in kitchens, the place optimization and financial system of motion are skilled and typically ethical imperatives. Over time, I’ve pared down my tools to the naked necessities. And if I needed to decide one device to have useful within the kitchen—and even in each day life—it must be this bowl scraper from J.B. Prince.

I first encountered this specific bowl scraper as a younger intern at Rouge Tomate, in New York Metropolis. One of many pastry cooks, Gael, was expertly fashioning a whole bunch of small diamond shapes out of razor-thin slices of mango. Every order consisted of about 20 to 30 items, and as you may think, there was some appreciable waste. I used to be assigned to assist him. Because the piles of good diamonds collected, so too did the pile of mango trim develop on our favourite slicing boards. With out skipping a beat, Gael reached into his breast pocket, pulled out a tiny bowl scraper, and swiped the entire trim away in a single fluid movement. In the meantime, I used to be drowning in mango trimmings. I didn’t have a scraper. I appeared longingly at his. Sensing my desperation, he handed me his personal. “Preserve it,” he mentioned. Gael most likely modified my life that day.

I do know what you’re pondering. It’s only a bowl scraper. It’s so small. It couldn’t be that helpful. Properly, let me set issues straight.

First, let’s speak concerning the worth. At a staggering $1.30, it’s probably the most cost-effective piece of kitchen gear you possibly can personal.* Actually, at one level I owned at the least 10 of those scrapers at a time, doling them out to cooks in want and mates who didn’t know they wanted one. And as we’ll see, this specific bowl scraper might need the best benefit-to-cost ratio of any device on the market.

*Sadly, that worth jumps fairly a bit when you’re seeking to order it on-line at the moment; if you wish to maintain prices decrease than the roughly $10 delivery and dealing with payment at present related to the J.B. Prince scraper, we strongly suggest this barely bigger mannequin from Indigo True.

Subsequent, let’s take a look at the scale and development. This scraper measures four-and-a-half by three inches, which is the proper dimension to comfortably slot in any chest or pant pocket. The fabric is tough, nonporous, however versatile plastic, with two sharp ends. One finish is barely sharper and rounded with an asymmetrical bevel (just like the slicing fringe of a Japanese-style knife), whereas the opposite finish is straight. Despite the fact that it’s fabricated from plastic, it’s surprisingly sturdy. I’ve by accident run each serrated and regular knives throughout the floor, leading to scratches however by no means cracks or breakage. These scrapers may even stand up to an errant chop from a heavy meat cleaver. And anecdotally, these scrapers are considerably warmth resistant—as much as 400 levels (although I doubt they’re marketed this fashion).

However what are you able to really do with this bowl scraper? In fact, there’s its supposed function, which it accomplishes masterfully. Scraping dough out of a bowl with this factor is a dream. The sharper rounded edge picks up dough effortlessly, and it feels just like the scraper is glued to the floor of the bowl as you progress it throughout. And since the scraper materials is nonporous, dough doesn’t stick or snag in any respect. I discover the scale of the scraper simply sufficiently big and the fabric simply steady sufficient to deal with medium-sized doughs, as much as 800 grams in complete weight—which is not any small feat for one thing that matches in your chest pocket.

Due to the flat, asymmetrical edge, slicing and dividing dough is a breeze. I take advantage of this scraper every time I make gnocchi, reduce logs for orecchiette, or should divide small parts of dough. Because it’s fabricated from plastic, I don’t have to fret about ruining a pleasant picket, granite, or marble desk floor, both. I additionally love shaping sticky doughs like high-hydration brioche with this device, utilizing the flat facet to spherical and tighten parts.

Outdoors of dough work, this bowl scraper shines even brighter. Corralling reduce substances out of your slicing board is an important kitchen ability, and utilizing a quick, light-weight bowl scraper like this one makes the method virtually second nature. Must shortly clear up the mess of carrot peels in your station and that explosion of entire wheat flour on the counter? Bowl scraper’s bought your again. Pushing purées or mashed potatoes by means of a fine-mesh tamis? Bowl scraper is the weapon of selection. This scraper even performs properly outdoors of the kitchen. Want a bookmark? Bench scraper is healthier than a bookmark (waterproof, stainless, gained’t rip, gained’t stop). Acquired a knot in your neck? Use the scraper for myofascial launch, not not like a standard Gua Sha scraper. Actually, regardless of its easy design, I’m certain you possibly can give you a number of makes use of for the scraper that don’t contain meals.

So scrape collectively some free change and get your self a bowl scraper. You gained’t remorse it. And given the outrageously low worth, what’s there to lose? Within the exalted phrases of the minimalist luminary Marie Kondo, I assure that this little man will spark pleasure.

FAQs

What’s the greatest bowl scraper?

In our evaluate, we discovered the Indigo True Versatile Bowl Scraper was one of the best; it scraped bowls clear and sported an easy-to-hold grip. We additionally appreciated the KitchenAid Gourmand Bowl Scraper, which is available in a set with a smaller scraper, which makes it simpler to scrub small nooks or crannies.

What’s a bowl scraper good for?

In addition to the apparent (scraping down bowls), bowl scrapers are additionally nice for slicing up dough (say, for gnocchi) or shaping burger buns. Additionally they double as as scraper, serving to you clear off your slicing board or deposit scraps of greens into your countertop compost bin.

April 2020