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For mechanical scoops, the handle can also be where the release is. The release is typically a lever that is operated with the thumb or, in some models, squeezing the handle itself. These are typically designed to be done one-handed.
If you have room in your budget to splurge, we recommend the Good Cook Smart Scoop because of its split-head design, which made it simple and straightforward to release ice cream into a bowl. When we tested this in a home kitchen, it took no time at all to scoop tight, round balls of ice cream with the Zeroll. The ice cream easily slid into an awaiting bowl, especially during the first tests while our hand was still warm. That ease of scooping hard ice cream, a sleek and balanced design, and perfectly sized servings put this scoop at the top of the list. Best of all, this is one solid piece, so there's no danger of parts breaking or loosening over time.
What features to look for in an ice cream scoop
We scooped three mounds of ice cream per ice cream scoop in the pint container, and five mounds of ice cream per ice cream scoop in the half-gallon container. Each ice cream scoop was also evaluated for its comfortability among both right- and left-handed users. During testing, we found it was comfortable to hold, balanced, and doesn't cause any wrist strain when used. Plus, the non-slip handle ensures a firm, comfortable grip and keeps your hand from getting cold while using. With no moving parts, this scoop is sturdy and durable, and, as an added bonus, is dishwasher safe. This type of scoop isn’t the best for scooping small portions or for making ice cream cones since it can scoop a lot and it's hard to control the serving size and appearance. When we used this scooper with a pint of ice cream we found it a challenge to see over the paddle since it was larger than the container itself, so that's something to keep in mind. However, it worked very efficiently in the half-gallon tub of ice cream. After completing testing, the zinc alloy scoop came out of the dishwasher as shiny as it went in, but the handle looked duller with some residue. This slight discoloration didn’t affect the comfort of the handle, though.
If you have some wiggle room in your budget and are able to splurge a bit, consider the Good Cook Smart Scoop. At first glance, this looks like a normal ice cream scoop—but unlike any other scoop on our list, the head of this one splits apart to easily drop the ice cream into a bowl. Our experts have some pretty helpful tips on how to scoop ice cream like a professional. "Ice cream softens from the outside in, so you want to pull the scoop around the outside of the container you’re scooping from (and the larger the container, the easier it is to scoop),” the Bechtels say. “As you pull the scoop through the ice cream it should curl itself into the perfect ball of ice cream, ready to nestle perfectly into your cup or cone." Paddle - The paddle or spade scoop is flatter and wider. It's ideal for scooping softer-style gelato into cups or cones and sculpting it into a nice shape. The Spring Chef Ice Cream Scoop has an ergonomic, comfortable rubber handle that comes in twelve different colors (we tested the purple one). The handle also boasts a notch at the bottom for lifting off frozen lids, similar to a bottle opener. No more cold fingers! We tested 22 ice cream scoops in our Lab—including traditional scoops, dishers, spades, and even a scoop/disher combo—and evaluated them on performance, design, and durability. Each scoop was tested with two types of ice cream: Häagen-Dazs and Blue Bell. Five minutes before scooping, we took the ice cream out of the freezer and placed it on the countertop.
Ice cream spades are usually seen in gelato stores, but you should really give one a chance over the traditional scoop. The Good Grips Stainless Steel Ice Cream Spade has a paddle that is slightly curved and slides through hard ice cream, or ice cream with mix-ins, easily. The spade is great for scooping large portions, as well as transferring homemade ice cream from the ice cream maker to a freezer-safe container or pint. The size of the ice cream scoop can vary slightly, depending on the exact ice cream scoop you’re using. The hollow design of some ice cream scoops helps with heat transfer. "Anyone who has tried to scoop ice cream from a tub that just came out of the freezer knows it’s not easy, so most scoops are designed to transfer the heat from your hand to the ice cream you are scooping," the Bechtels say. "Most hollow scoops are filled with a conductive liquid that warms the scoop, making it just a bit easier to get through a tub of ice cream.” This conductive liquid will often be advertised as an anti-freeze. The handle is hollow and filled with antifreeze, which makes cutting through hard ice cream a breeze. (Though this also means you shouldn’t put it in the dishwasher.) In terms of performance, we hardly found any negatives except that it’s impossible to shape your ice cream scoops into balls due to the nature of spades. But if you don’t care about perfectly round scoops, this was one of the best-performing ice cream scoops we tested. A good ice cream scoop should have sharp edges to easily cut into hard ice cream and feature a well-rounded head to form neat, round balls. The most common types available include:
The size of a scoop of ice cream largely depends on who’s scooping—but in general, it can be anywhere from 2 to 4 ounces. Even though many of the models we tested don’t list the exact scoop size, those that do are within this range. It features a heat-conductive liquid inside the handle that helps provide an easy release. The aluminum design helps protect the scoop from oxidation and corrosion, so it's made with durability in mind. Both right- and left-handed users can scoop ice cream with this tool since it’s symmetrical.The Zeroll 1020 Original has long been a favorite among those in the know because it contains a heat-conductive liquid inside the scoop that aids in cutting through your ice cream or sorbet. However, after testing it extensively, we also found that it is an excellent choice for lefties due to its symmetrical design. We tested this scoop with our left and right hands, and both produced the same type of scoop. We also liked that this ice cream scoop’s handle was substantially wide and offered a firm grip. Our tests showed that its design made it able to better accommodate a range of hand sizes, too.
It works best to hand wash ice cream scoops, most are not dishwasher-safe,” O’Hara says. “We simply scrub them with dish soap, sanitize them, and allow them to air dry.” Dipper - A dipper is sturdy and reliable with no fancy features. It has a strong handle and rounded head for forming perfect ice cream balls and lifting them out of the tub. The Avanti Ultra-Grip Ice Cream Scoop is stainless steel and comes with a soft non-slip handle for comfort. Unlike traditional scoops, the HIC Kitchen spade is wide and flat with a rounded edge that makes it ideal for scooping out hard ice cream. We tested this space on both half-gallon and pint ice cream containers and had the best results with the half-gallon container due to its size. We found that the edge was way better for digging ice cream from around the rim compared to a regular scoop. This ice cream scoop received a five-star rating for its performance—when we used this for pints and quarts, it created perfectly rounded scoops. We tested the scoop in both creamy and chunky varieties of ice cream, and it glided smoothly despite the texture.
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In our testing, we found that the Sumo Ice Cream Scoop can give you a scoop of ice cream that looks like it came straight from your favorite ice cream shop. This scoop made it to the top of our list because of its durable stainless steel construction and grippy handle, which felt more comfortable in our hands than many of the other scoops on our list. Additionally, because the weight is distributed evenly throughout the handle length, you can scoop practically effortlessly without straining your hand. Plus, we felt that its pointed edge made it easy to dig the ice cream out. Cookbook author Donna Currie is a writer and product tester for The Spruce Eats. An avowed "kitchen geek," she's compiled detailed roundups on various kitchen gadgets to make your life easier in the kitchen. Highlights include the best garlic presses, top cookie tools, and the best cookbook stands. To come up with these recommendations, we tested 22 ice cream scoops in our Lab. Each scooper was tested on a pint and half-gallon container, and we evaluated them based on factors such as performance, design, and durability. In our testing, we found that the handle is quite important. If it’s too short, you’ll get ice cream all over your hands when scooping at the bottom of the container. Rocher - A rocher is an egg-shaped scoop. Dip the scoop straight down, then scoop it right and left. It may be better suited for scooping foods with a softer texture, like cupcake or muffin batter. Additionally, because of its release lever design, it can only be used by right-handed users. Out of the three ice cream scoops we tested with levers, this one performed the best, but it didn’t perform well enough for us to recommend it as one of the best ice cream scoops. Midnight Stainless Steel Ice Cream Scoop
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