It's hard to keep surfaces clean when you're working with a loose batter, but a batter dispenser can help you reclaim control when you bake. It has a narrow nozzle for filling muffin tins or spacing out pancakes without dripping batter everywhere. It's also great for evenly spreading batter out.
Check out the MyLifeUnit Stainless Steel Pancake Batter Dispenser for a good-looking batter dispenser that's made to last.
A batter dispenser is like a measuring cup that releases its contents through a nozzle at the bottom instead of an opening at the top. You squeeze the handle to start dispensing, helping you to pour out batter mess-free. Many dispensers feature measurement lines on the side so you know exact amounts as you go.
The main section of a batter dispenser is constructed from plastic, stainless steel, glass or silicone.
A batter dispenser works with the loose, smooth consistency of most baked-good batters. It's best known for making pancakes but it's great for muffins, cake, crepes, doughnuts and other loose batters. You can use it measure out sauce or for frosting cakes and cupcakes. Keep in mind that the thicker the batter, the slower the pour.
You might not think about a batter dispenser having a flat base or stand, but the moment you want to put it down on the counter you'll see why it matters. A base means you can place the dispenser flat on the counter without worrying about it rolling off the counter. It keeps the batter from leaking and keeps your workstation organized.
The whole point of a batter dispenser is to pour batter more accurately, so a precision nozzle is key. A silicone plug or stopper to cut off the supply of batter at a moment's notice helps with that precision and keeps batter from dripping onto the counter.
If you're using a plastic or silicone dispenser, look for a heat-resistant nozzle. This is important when it comes to pouring batter onto a hot surface such as a pan or griddle. A heat-resistant spout can come into contact with high temperatures without melting, warping or sealing itself shut.
More and more batter dispensers have a silicone plug in the nozzle that automatically releases when you stop pouring. This keeps batter from spraying across a muffin tin or dripping on the counter when you put the dispenser down. A plug is not the same as a cap, which is used to close the nozzle completely between uses. The plug is triggered by the lever in the handle. You squeeze to open the plug and let go to close it.
A batter dispenser costs around $15-$30, while a plastic or silicone batter "pen" dispenser costs $10-$20.
A. Don't put dough in the dispenser. Pancake or brownie batter is usually the thickest batter a dispenser can handle, and even then not all dispensers are equipped for them. If you put pastry dough in a dispenser to squeeze out, it would just get stuck.
A. A whisk ball is a small metal ball that floats inside a shaker bottle or batter dispenser. It's designed to help blend the ingredients.
MyLifeUnit Stainless Steel Pancake Batter Dispenser
What you need to know: Available in two sizes, this 8.5-inch-tall stainless steel batter dispenser comes with a metal stand. It holds up to 5 cups of batter.
What you’ll love: It's durable and the handle is removable for easy storage. It has a silicone plug so it doesn't drip, and it gives you great control as you pour. It's dishwasher-safe.
What you should consider: It's not great for thicker batters.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Whiskware Pancake Batter Dispenser
What you need to know: This 12.49-inch-tall free-standing plastic batter "pen" dispenser is shaped like a bottle with a whisk ball inside. It holds up to 4.5 cups of batter.
What you’ll love: The spout is heat-resistant. There's a measurement line on the side. It's reliable, easy to use and easy to rinse out. It's top-rack dishwasher-safe.
What you should consider: There's a no automatic plug to keep it from dripping in between uses, but there is a cap to close the nozzle when you're done.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
What you need to know: This 7.5-inch-tall free-standing plastic batter dispenser is shaped like a measuring cup. It holds up to 4 cups of batter.
What you’ll love: It has a squeeze handle for starting and stopping the pour. Measurements are listed on the side. It can handle thick batter.
What you should consider: It isn't very durable and it's not dishwasher-safe.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Emily Verona writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
