There are many kitchen accessories available these days that the options may overwhelm you. After all, what kitchen tools are necessities and which ones are luxury items you really don’t need? Well, that depends on your daily kitchen prep and the needs of your household. However, one kitchen tool that is definitely on the necessity side of things is an ice scoop.
An ice scoop is an essential kitchen prep product for many reasons. First, this item helps you get ice into your glass and prevents this cold beverage cooler from winding up on the floor. Also, when you use a scoop, you’re preventing people from sticking their hands in the ice bin which can make the ice dirty and unsanitary. In addition, when you use a scoop in your home or business, you’re getting ice into the glass quickly and effortlessly. For all these reasons, using a scoop is a wise choice.
Ice scoops can be used in many different ice receptacles. You can use a delicate scoop in a small ice bucket or opt for a sturdy large ice scoop for a commercial ice maker. Whether you have an ice machine at home or at work, you’ll find that you’ll be scooping ice a lot and this type of scoop will come in handy. You might do one scoop at a time or fill many glasses all at once. Regardless of the amount, rest assured this scoop will see plenty of use.
As with other kitchen tools, you’ll find the scoop selection is wide and varied. How do you decide which ice holder is right for your needs? And which ice scoops are the best ones on the consumer market? These are all valid questions. The best way to decide which ice scooper to choose is to review your options.
To make your decision a bit easier, we’ve highlighted some of the top ice scoops available. You’ll find that each option is quite different from the others. Some ice scoops are good for residential use while others are more suitable for commercial businesses, such as restaurants and bars. Also, ice scoops come in different materials and styles, so one ice holder may pique your interest before another one does. The good news is that there are plenty of options!
Best Ice Scoops
Ready to start shopping for your new scoop? Here’s a list of some of the best ice scoops available on the market today:
Cast Aluminum Utility Scoop – 5 oz.
The Cast Aluminum Utility Scoop – 5 oz. is an excellent multipurpose scoop. You can use this scoop to pour ice into a glass, but you can also use this scoop for other reasons, such as to dish out candy, sugar, and flour. The 5-ounce cast aluminum scoop has a round bottom and finger groove handle for easy scooping and pouring. This hand wash only scooper cleans easily and will be ready for your next use in no time at all.
UNIEVE Stainless Steel Ice Scoop
With the help of the UNIEVE Stainless Steel Ice Scoop you can pour ice into multiple glasses with ease. The scoop weighs 2.4 ounces and can be used in home kitchens, restaurants, bars, and anywhere else your ice machine is located. The food grade stainless steel scoop is sturdy and durable which will provide you with plenty of ice scoops on a daily basis. In addition to being useful, this type of scoop also looks nice with its shiny stainless steel material.
OXO Good Grips Flexible Scoop
If you prefer a plastic scoop, check out the OXO Good Grips Flexible Scoop. This BPA-free plastic scoop can be used in your kitchen ice bin for easy scooping. This type of ice scooper is lightweight and easy to clean. And with its flexible components, you don’t have to worry as much about it breaking as some other scoops. The scoop bends with each ice retrieval but not too much that your ice falls out. As an added bonus, this one-cup capacity ice holder is also dishwasher safe!
New Star Foodservice Plastic Utility Ice Scoop
For a plastic scoop that’s not as flexible as the OXO, consider the New Star Foodservice Plastic Utility Scoop. This utility scoop is made of a sturdy polycarbonate plastic and weighs 6 ounces. The lightweight attributes of this scoop make it a tempting one to purchase.
New Star Foodservice One-Piece Cast Aluminum Scoop
New Star Foodservice also offers an aluminum ice scooper. The New Star Foodservice One-Piece Cast Aluminum Scoop offers a stylish appearance and useful scooping capabilities. The 38-ounce silver color scoop is made of cast aluminum for a sturdy construction. Curved finger indentations on the hand grip make this scoop easy to hold and use. Since the scoop is made of aluminum, you’ll want to hand wash this product to keep it looking nice and in the best possible shape.
Vikan Remco Color-Coded Plastic Scoop
If you want to add a colorful scoop to your ice bin, the Vikan Remco Color-Coded Plastic Scoop may be the perfect option. Choose your favorite color and add this BPA-free food-safe ice scooper to your kitchen tool section. The polypropylene scoop is ultra lightweight, weighing only 0.01 ounces. You can buy a few different color scoops and use them for different purposes in your kitchen. These color-coded scoops are excellent for restaurant and bar use as well.
Rubbermaid Commercial Products Ice or Food Scoop
For a commercial kitchen or a home kitchen that uses a lot of ice, you may want to buy the Rubbermaid Commercial Products Ice or Food Scoop. This scoop can hold six ounces of ice and other ingredients in its holder area. Weighing just 0.2 pounds, this scoop is lightweight so it’s easy to carry and hold. You’ll also enjoy the fact this ice holder is dishwasher safe.
New Star Foodservice Cast Aluminum Flat Bottom Utility Scoop
The New Star Foodservice Cast Aluminum Flat Bottom Utility Scoop will take your ice scooping endeavors to a whole new level. You can add this lovely extra small scoop to a delicate ice bin for scooping success. However, it can also be used in a residential kitchen or fine dining establishment. The aluminum material is lovely to look at and the flat bottom feature makes it easy to get ice and other food items out of bin corners with ease. In order to preserve the quality of this beautiful ice scooper, you should hand wash it only.
Picking the Right Ice Scoop
Now that you’ve seen quite a few options of ice scoops, how do you choose the product that’s right for you? By considering a few factors, that’s how! Here are some considerations to keep in mind when picking a scoop:
- Durability: Since you’ll be putting your scoop to good and frequent use, make sure the scoop is durable.
- Size: If you have a particular size ice machine or a specific need for the scoop, make sure the product is the right size.
- Material: Ice scoops are available in a variety of materials, so you can pick the material style you like best.
- Shape: You may prefer a flat bottom scoop as opposed to a round style, so keep this fact in mind when shopping for your new kitchen tool.
- Intended Use: Some scoops are best for ice removal while others can be used for anything at all.
- Price: If you’re on a budget, the price may be a factor to consider when shopping for a new scoop. But, rest assured, you may find stores that offer the latest deals on ice scoopers so you might even be able to save some money on this purchase.
By considering these factors you can pick the right scoop, or utility scoop, for all your scooping needs. Don’t worry, the decision will be a lot easier than you may think it will be. In addition, you may even want to buy a few different scoops so you can use the scooper for more than one reason because these are such handy kitchen tools. Whatever scoop you choose, you’re sure to find the best one of the bunch!