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What Is a Batter Dispenser?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A batter dispenser is a kitchen gadget which is designed to dispense even portions of liquids such as batters and sauces. While not a vital addition to most home kitchens, it can be extremely handy, and it cuts down on mess. In commercial kitchens, this gadget is extraordinarily useful. Many kitchen supply stores sell batter dispensers, and the tools can also be ordered through catalogs. A squeeze bottle also makes an excellent dispenser stand in.

The basic design of the tool includes a reservoir for the batter, a dispensing nozzle, and a trigger mechanism. When the trigger is pulled, batter is forced through the dispensing nozzle, which measures out the correct portion size before closing. Many dispensers offer multiple portion sizes, allowing people to use a dispenser for different types of cooking projects. Usually, the dispenser also has a built in stand, so that it can be set down on a counter when not in use.

Using a batter dispenser can be much less messy than using a ladle.
Using a batter dispenser can be much less messy than using a ladle.

On the industrial level, a batter dispenser may have numerous nozzles capable of dispensing multiple portions simultaneously. This type of dispenser is usually only used in assembly line production of foods. Most commercial and home kitchens find a single nozzle dispenser sufficient.

For things like cupcakes and pancakes, a batter dispenser is a great tool. It ensures that the end product will be uniform, which also promotes even cooking. It also eliminates messiness, since the cook is not ladling batter from a bowl onto a griddle or into cupcake pans. For people who have difficulty with recipe yields, using a dispenser also helps to get the most out of a recipe.

For things like pancakes, a batter dispenser is a great tool.
For things like pancakes, a batter dispenser is a great tool.

For sauces, a batter dispenser is also very useful, especially in a busy kitchen. The dispenser can hold the sauce until it is needed, and quickly dispenses a portion without the mess of a ladle. Different portion settings allow the cook to control the amount of sauce dispensed, maintaining uniformity and efficiency.

Stainless steel and plastic are both used to make batter dispensers. The equipment may or may not be dishwasher safe, but it will need to be thoroughly rinsed to remove batter which may have accumulated around the nozzle. If the dispenser can be run through the dishwasher, make sure that all of the moving parts have been rinsed. Otherwise, wash it in warm soapy water, paying attention to cracks and crannies which might harbor batter.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

jennythelib

@rugbygirl - Sorry, but I can't help. I have a dishwasher-safe stainless steel batter dispenser and I just love it. It wasn't all that expensive even.

I love your husband's idea of the "unitasker"! I'm totally going to steal that word. I try to avoid "unitaskers," too, but when I really like something, it's worth having the right equipment. I have this bulky stovetop popcorn maker because I love popcorn so much, and the batter dispenser because I like muffins so much.

But remember, muffins don't *have* to be bad for you! For instance, one of my favorite thing to make is whole wheat cornbread muffins. Wholesome and yummy!

For another thing, the dispenser makes it easier to make *smaller* treats, which helps manage portion sizes. Before I had it, I would only ever make jumbo muffins and cupcakes because it was fewer cups to fill and they were larger. With the dispenser, because it makes it easier to fill the cups, I actually mostly use a mini-muffin pan. I give a bunch away and eat a few small ones myself. Very satisfying! (And as you can imagine, I'm very popular at work!)

rugbygirl

Oh, no - I had never heard of a cake batter dispenser and now I have to have one! I love cupcakes and muffins, but they're so much work that I don't make them that often.

Now I want to get a batter dispenser and make them, like, every week! Which is a whole 'nother problem, of course. What's that going to do for my waistline?

Please, someone out there, tell me that they're not nearly as cool as they sound or I'm in trouble! (Not just with my waistline, but with my husband for bringing home yet another kitchen "unitasker," as he calls them.)

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    • Using a batter dispenser can be much less messy than using a ladle.
      By: ILYA AKINSHIN
      Using a batter dispenser can be much less messy than using a ladle.
    • For things like pancakes, a batter dispenser is a great tool.
      By: Magdalena Kucova
      For things like pancakes, a batter dispenser is a great tool.