Best Batter Dispensers

Buying guide for Best batter dispensers

Baking is a fun way to create lasting family memories, but projects involving batter can fray your nerves in many different ways. Transferring cupcake batter from the bowl to the cup often leaves a trail of drips across the counter. Uneven pancakes burn in the pan. And the cleanup can quickly become overwhelming. A batter dispenser can eliminate many common baking frustrations, so you can get back to enjoying your project.

Batter dispensers hold the batter and have a spout for even distribution. They let you skip the messy step of transferring batter from the bowl to the pan and allow you to make uniform pancakes for uniform cooking.

However, not all baking projects are the same. Which dispenser will keep your batter – and your morning – running smoothly?

If chocolate chips, blueberries, or other extras won’t fit through your batter valve, you can always drop them in later.

Key considerations

Thin vs. thick spout

In some homes, thin flapjacks are the family favorite. In others, fluffy blueberry pancakes are always on the menu. Either way, your dispenser’s spout plays a role in your success. Most dispensers have a wide opening at the top for loading and a spout at the bottom for dispensing batter.

Thin: If you mostly use commercial mixes, a dispenser with a thinner spout is a better choice. Commercial mixes tend to be thinner and lack large bits like candy or fruit that could block the flow. Thin batter might be harder to control coming out of a wider opening.

Thick: Thicker homemade batter can clog slender spouts, even before fruit or chocolate chips enter the picture. Some dispensers have an adjustable spout so you can leave your options open. 

Material: While you’re checking out the spout, consider its material. Spouts usually come in silicone, plastic, or metal. Plastic is the least expensive, but it can also melt if you get it too close to a hot griddle. And metal spouts can scratch nonstick surfaces if they touch them. Silicone is a better choice because it has a high melting point and won’t damage nonstick cooking surfaces.

Pitcher vs. pen

Pitcher: Most batter dispensers resemble a traditional pitcher. Pitcher dispensers are the better choice for most batter projects. Most pitchers include a squeeze trigger that’s more conducive to longer tasks like making traditional pancakes or filling cupcake pans. They’re also durable and should have a longer useful life. 

Pen: Some batter dispensers are tube shaped and dispense like a pen. This style gives you more precise control for making custom pancakes and other goodies, making it much easier to draw hearts, lines, and other freehand designs. These are usually made from softer materials since you must squeeze the tube to help dispense the batter. If pancake breakfasts are a whole-family affair, this type of dispenser works better for little hands.

Size

For a quick weekend breakfast, the dispenser size isn’t an issue. But if you’re feeding an army of teens or making cupcakes for a party, you need a dispenser that can hold at least an entire cake mix, which usually produces four to six cups of batter. Most pitcher-style dispensers have a four-cup maximum, and tube-shaped devices hold less.

Materials

Most batter dispensers are made from plastic, glass, or stainless steel. Plastic containers are the least expensive, but you might have to wash them by hand – a deal breaker for some. If you need a container that’s dishwasher safe, look for items that are made of glass or stainless steel. Even some glass containers have removable parts that require washing by hand. Stainless steel dispensers are often fully dishwasher safe, but they might be more expensive than dispensers made with other materials.

Batter dispenser features

All-in-one mixing

Some models let you mix the batter right in the dispenser, either by removing the lid to insert a whisk or by using an apparatus inside the dispenser. Mixing your ingredients in the dispenser saves washing extra bowls, as well as cleaning up the drips on the counter from transferring the batter. But while this type of dispenser is convenient, it’s best for small batches of thin batter because it can’t replace the volume of mixing bowls or the power of regular mixers.

Markings

Many dispensers are manufactured with measurement markings right on the side. This is helpful if your dispenser supports onboard mixing or if you simply need to know how much batter you have left. It also saves you time washing extra measuring cups.

Handle

Dispensing enough batter for breakfast pancakes is one thing. Squeezing out four cups of cake batter is quite another. If cupcakes are a frequent crowd pleaser at your house, look for a batter dispenser with comfortable grips that won’t strain your hands when cooking for large groups.

Stand

Tubular and cylindrical dispensers often can’t stand on their own, at least not without making a mess. Many alternative dispenser shapes include stands to keep them from tipping and spilling. This feature helps you cut down on countertop spills.

Drip tray

Some dispensers have a lid that doubles as drip tray that fits beneath the nozzle. This helps prevent messes on the counter, but it leaves your pitcher vulnerable to spills.

Valve

A removable dispenser valve can simplify cleanup.

Batter dispenser prices

Inexpensive

You can find inexpensive batter dispensers that will get the job done for less than $10. At this price, dispensers are usually made of plastic and work best with thin batter. Don’t expect these to be able to handle extras like blueberries or candy. Hand-washing is a good idea with items of this quality.

Mid-range

These batter dispensers cost between $10 and $15. Dispensers in this range are constructed from glass or plastic. Some can manage thick homemade batter just fine; others may not. Many of these dispensers include upgrades like whisk balls, measuring lines, or other value-added features that set them apart from less-expensive models. Check the instructions carefully for washing instructions.

Expensive

The highest-quality batter dispensers cost $15 or more, and semi-professional models can cost much more than that. At this price, the dispensers are made of glass, aluminum, or stainless steel and are typically dishwasher safe, but check to make sure before you invest in a higher-priced dispenser. These should be able to handle thick batter and might even have adjustable settings for thin and thick recipes.

Tips

• Use your dispenser for more than batter. Cutting carbs? You can use your batter dispenser to make easy egg cups! Just fill cupcake liners with diced veggies and meat and use the dispenser to tidily add the eggs.
• Watch for the bubbles. It’s time to flip your pancake when you start seeing bubbles appear and pop in the uncooked top of the batter. The pancakes need to cook only a minute or two on the opposite side.
• Don’t overfill the cupcake pan. The perfectly sized cupcake is made of only three tablespoons of batter. 

For thinner pancakes from a mix, use water for your liquid. Thicker pancakes require milk.

FAQ

Q. Can I store my pancake batter in the refrigerator overnight in a dispenser?

A. We don’t recommend it. Slow dispensing seems to be a common criticism across most brands and models. Since cooling the liquids usually slows their pouring, refrigerating batter overnight could actually lengthen your cooking time, especially if the batter gets stuck in the spout. If time is a major concern, mix your dry ingredients ahead of time and leave them in a sealed container on the counter. Then add your liquids in the morning, so at least the dry ingredients and your container will be at room temperature.

Q. My crepe recipe requires me to chill the batter. Is this a problem?

A. Crepes are a special case. Crepe batter is much thinner than pancake batter – even the thickest crepes resemble a hefty tortilla – so the chilled batter shouldn’t bring your breakfast prep to a standstill. Many crepe recipes encourage you to stir your chilled batter a time or two before cooking, so you should notice if something has solidified too much. Keep in mind that chilled crepe batter will still dispense more slowly than unchilled. Don’t try to rush the cooking by turning up the heat. The thin batter puts them at risk for burning at higher settings.

Q. How full should I fill my cupcake liners?

A. Cupcakes are tricky. Too little batter and you get a tiny treat. Too much and the cup overflows, creating a sticky mess and a look that’s less than attractive. Most recipes work best with cups filled two-thirds to three-quarters of the way full. If you’re in doubt, aim low. You can always pile on more frosting to make a short cupcake look taller, but there’s no easy fix for ones that have overflowed.