So Simple, Even Jessica Simpson Could Use It! Ateco Bowl Scraper
Written: Jan 24 '04
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Pros: Easy to use, inexpensive, tons of uses!
Cons: Can be a little hard to find in retail stores.
The Bottom Line: A true kitchen essential that no cook, chef or soccer mom should be without, the Ateco Bowl Scraper proves it’s just as good as the Wilton Spatch-It!
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| Freak369's Full Review: Ateco Bowl Scraper |
After hundreds of batches of cookie dough, pizza crusts, cupcakes and biscotti my beloved Wilton Spatch-It finally gave out on me. The truth be told, I ruined it by leaving it too close to the stove when I was melting chocolate in a double boiler. I never gave much thought to my faithful Spatch It; it was always “just there” when I needed it. Knowing that I wouldn’t be placing an order at the Wilton Online Store for another week or so I set out to try and find another one but came up empty at my usual haunts. Oddly enough, Smart & Final had a few of these tucked away on a bottom shelf in their industrial baking supply section. Covered with a thick layer of dust I knew these hadn’t been popular with the shoppers and at $1.19 a piece, I couldn’t pass up giving one of them a try. Now, I must confess, the Wilton version was one that I absolutely loved; the shape, flexibility and easy clean up had me spoiled so the Ateco version was up against some tough competition from the get go.
Ateco Bowl Scraper
Unlike the Wilton bowl scraper, this one is oval without a center indentation. To some people this might be a con when sizing up the two since it makes it a little harder to work with however after using this for a week or so I can say that while it does take a little time to get used it, once you do it is just as easy to use as the Wilton version. Basically the only difference between the two is the shape – other than that you’d be hard pressed to tell the difference between them if you didn’t see the Wilton name on one of them. But lets back it up for a minute, what exactly is a bowl scraper and why would you possibly need one in your kitchen? A bowl scraper is a handy tool to have when making cookie dough, folding ingredients or just to do a partial clean up before everything gets tossed in the sink. The Ateco Bowl Scraper is made of a thick but extremely flexible plastic that will bend and conform to the shape of pretty much any shape bowl you are working with. I usually mix my dough in a large stainless steel mixing bowl and this works like a charm to clean up the sides, fold hard dough together and get the mixed ingredients into a baking pan or large measuring cup [perfect for no-mess cupcakes].
In most ways this is a great substitute for the Wilton Spatch It; it lacks the indentation in the center so getting a good grip on this might be a little difficult if you are used to one particular style but other than that, it’s been a great replacement item. So far I’ve used this when making pizza dough and it works wonderfully to get the caked on dough off the sides of the mixing bowl. Since I make all my dough from scratch [and by hand] I often make several batches back to back and need to have a semi clean bowl to work with each time. If you have ever made dough you know that if the residue sits for more than a few minutes you are in for a tough clean up – not to mention the job it does on sponges. Using this bowl scraper helps to get rid of most of the left over dough leaving you with a clean-enough bowl to use several times before it needs to get soaked and washed. For cookie and biscotti dough this works just as well and helps when you are adding in things like nuts, chocolate chips and cranberries. Folding the dough over on to itself helps to ensure that the ingredients are properly blended as well as removing air pockets. Using a bowl scraper to clean the sides and fold the ingredients over is easier than using a spatula, gets the job done quicker and allows you to work the dough with just the right amount of force.
Outside of melting this, there’s no way you’ll ever be able to break it unless you freeze it repeatedly, cut it or a large dog gets a hold of it and things it’s a toy. The plastic is sturdy and strong but thin enough that it easily bends to mold to the shape of pans, pots and bowls. Since I’ve only had this for a short period of time I can’t comment on how well it lasts but I will say this, it cleans up nicely. I was trying out a new recipe that involved using a red dye and was pretty curious to see if it would stain the scraper, after a two minute soak in some warm soapy water, it came out looking just as good as new. I rarely use my dishwasher so I know that this will almost always be hand washed – something that I really recommend if you tend to use the heating element when running your dishwasher. Even on the top rack, some machines may be a bit too hot and you way end up with a warped bowl scraper.
Things To Know
• There are several different version of the Ateco Bowl Scraper on the market so if you are looking to purchase this online, make sure you read the description carefully. Some have a curved center, others are the standard oval design and some are rectangular.
• This can also double as a quick clean up tool after rolling out pizza or bread dough from countertops. It is safer to use than a metal scraper and will never harm the surface or leave scratches. If you opt for one of the rectangular ones, it makes cleaning up sprinkles or colored sugar a complete beeeze.
The Bottom Line
If you have never invested in a bowl scraper, the Ateco brand is a good sturdy one to start with. It will help cut down on mess, aid in moving ingredients from one bowl to another and ensure that you get the most from your mixes without having to waste time with a spatula. Even if you only bake during the holidays or when your child needs cupcakes for school, having a bowl scraper around will make baking and clean up a lot easier. It looks like I am going to be stuck with the Ateco Bowl Scraper for a while. When I started to enter things to my cart at the Wilton site, I wanted to pick up a few of Spatch Its and found that it is listed as a discontinued product and is no longer available. Will it make a come back? That I can’t say, but I am pretty darn happy with the Ateco scraper so far and unless I end up melting it like the Spatch-It, chances are it will be in use for a long time in my kitchen.
If you are interested in learning more about the Ateco line of products, you can visit their official website at www.atecousa.com.
As always, thanks for the read!
^V^ Freak ^V^
© 2004 Freak369
Other kitchen essentials …
Ateco Parchment Paper
Pro Grip Large Tower Grater
Aluminum Muffin & Cupcake Pan
Norpro Marble Mortar and Pestle
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): $1.19
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