What Makes a Perfect Ice Cream Scoop?
Comfort
The primary reason for using an ice cream scoop instead of a regular spoon is comfort. Hence, while buying an ice cream scoop, one would certainly look up to the comfort level of the scoop. One should penetrate through the ice cream smoothly with an ice cream scoop. Some of the scoops cannot make the perfect shape of ice cream if it is too hard, and others might be too blunt to get in the crannies at the bottom of the container. Therefore, a perfectly comfortable ice cream scoop is the one that glides through the ice cream and can get in the nooks of the carton.
Weight
Like most other products, ice cream scoops fall into two categories: heavy and light. Mostly a heavy ice cream scoop can penetrate through ice cream more easily. When we say 'heavy scoop', it does not mean that the scoop is hard to lift, but a lightweight scoop feels more nimble and comfortable. The best ice cream scoops can range from 6 to 8 ounces.
Features
Most people are unaware of an ice cream scoop's additional functionalities and features. The simple kitchen tool is believed to have a round shape that can scoop out ice cream. However, if this were the only functionality of ice cream, it would not have such a huge market. Some scoops have fluid inside their handle, which transfers the heat from your hand to the container and makes it warm enough for the scoop to glide through the ice cream. However, such scoops are not dishwasher-friendly, so you also have the option of a regular scoop. A regular ice cream scoop needs to be placed in hot water before penetrating through the ice cream.
Design
The design of an ice cream scoop plays a major role in its effectiveness. The scoop heads are usually round, but newer models have slightly pointed edges to give extra cutting power. However, while choosing the pointed ice cream scoops, make sure that they are not too pointy to be dangerous. Furthermore, some of the latest models also have various handle options to match your needs. Some of the handles are curved, allowing you to push the scoop into the ice cream easily. Similarly, some scoops come with a scoop rest to avoid dripping. The classic version of scoops that did not have any moving parts was useful because they came in handy for various frozen desserts like ice cream, sorbet, and sherbet. These scoops had the best-welded handles, which provided seamless strength. Another version of the ice cream scoops is the trigger scoops. These scoops have a spring release mechanism, making it easy to release the ice cream. Trigger scoops are perfect for multiple occasions; you can use them while baking cupcakes and cookies, as well as for serving mashed potatoes.
Material
Kitchen tools and appliances are thought to be a one-time investment, so make sure you get the ice cream scoop made from the highest quality materials. The scoop heads are almost always made from metal, which helps in scooping. Various options are available in metal, such as aluminum, stainless steel, nickel-plated, and zinc-coated. Stainless steel is the best option of all these listed because it is non-stick and durable. The major issue with metal-plated ice cream scoops is that they are prone to corrosion more than other materials. The handles of scoops are usually plastic, nylon, metal, or a combination of these. No doubt metal handles are the strongest of all the stated options, and they can pry ice cream from the container. However, metal handles fail to provide the best grip, especially when handling a large ice cream. Thus, a rubberized grip is added to the metal handles for best control and comfort. As mentioned earlier, some ice cream scoops have handles with antifreeze fluid to help melt the ice creams and make them easier to cut.
How to Scoop Ice Cream Perfectly
The type of scoop plays an important role in deciding how much ice cream you can scoop in one go. A round scoop is the best for making the perfect scoops. You can also use an angled scoop or an S-shaped scoop to create different presentations of ice cream. If you have a spade-style scoop then you need to push it on top of the ice cream to get a neat scoop. Sometimes, you can get help from hot water for scooping through hard ice cream.
