What Is a Bowl Scraper?

I think about myself a minimalist within the kitchen. Possibly that comes from residing in tiny areas for many of my grownup life, or from my time in kitchens, the place optimization and economic system of motion are skilled and typically ethical imperatives. Through the years, I’ve pared down my gear to the naked necessities. And if I needed to decide one software to have useful within the kitchen—and even in every day life—it must be this bowl scraper from J.B. Prince.

I first encountered this explicit 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 reducing boards. With out skipping a beat, Gael reached into his breast pocket, pulled out a tiny bowl scraper, and swiped all the 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 regarded longingly at his. Sensing my desperation, he handed me his personal. “Hold it,” he stated. Gael in all probability 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 value. At a staggering $1.30, it’s possible the most cost-effective piece of kitchen gear you can personal.* In reality, at one level I owned no less than 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 are going to see, this explicit bowl scraper might need the very best benefit-to-cost ratio of any software on the market.

*Sadly, that value jumps fairly a bit for those who’re seeking to order it on-line at the moment; if you wish to hold prices decrease than the roughly $10 delivery and dealing with price presently 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 measurement 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 reducing fringe of a Japanese-style knife), whereas the opposite finish is straight. Despite the fact that it’s product of 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 face 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 manner).

However what are you able to truly do with this bowl scraper? In fact, there’s its meant goal, 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 secure sufficient to deal with medium-sized doughs, as much as 800 grams in whole weight—which isn’t any small feat for one thing that matches in your chest pocket.

Due to the flat, asymmetrical edge, reducing and dividing dough is a breeze. I exploit this scraper at any time when I make gnocchi, lower logs for orecchiette, or must divide small parts of dough. Because it’s product of plastic, I don’t have to fret about ruining a pleasant wood, granite, or marble desk floor, both. I additionally love shaping sticky doughs like high-hydration brioche with this software, utilizing the flat aspect to spherical and tighten parts.

Outdoors of dough work, this bowl scraper shines even brighter. Corralling lower elements out of your reducing board is a necessary kitchen ability, and utilizing a quick, light-weight bowl scraper like this one makes the method nearly second nature. Must rapidly clear up the mess of carrot peels in your station and that explosion of complete wheat flour on the counter? Bowl scraper’s obtained your again. Pushing purées or mashed potatoes via a fine-mesh tamis? Bowl scraper is the weapon of selection. This scraper even performs effectively exterior of the kitchen. Want a bookmark? Bench scraper is best than a bookmark (waterproof, stainless, gained’t rip, gained’t give up). Obtained a knot in your neck? Use the scraper for myofascial launch, not not like a standard Gua Sha scraper. In reality, regardless of its easy design, I’m certain you can provide you with 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 value, 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 finest bowl scraper?

In our overview, 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 favored the KitchenAid Gourmand Bowl Scraper, which is available in a set with a smaller scraper, which makes it simpler to wash small nooks or crannies.

What’s a bowl scraper good for?

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

April 2020