Skimmer: purpose, types and choice

Every housewife in the kitchen has a whole arsenal of various appliances. One of the important tools that help in preparing some dishes is the slotted spoon. The familiar spoon with holes is indispensable for cooking dumplings and dumplings. It helps in other situations.

Modern manufacturers offer a variety of models that differ in shape, materials, etc. This allows you to choose the right option for any occasion. Consider the features of this device in more detail.

Skimmer looks like large spoon with holes. It can be round holes, longitudinal slots or a mesh surface. This device, as a rule, has a long handle. The name of the kitchen gadget did not appear by chance. Many people think that the device is called a slotted spoon because it is often used when cooking food in boiling water that makes noise.

As you can see from the literal translation, most often the device is used in cooking to remove foam during cooking. However, the range of application of a special spoon is not limited to this.

Skimmer can be used in different situations:

• remove foam and scale when cooking fish, meat, etc .;
• easily and quickly remove boiled foods from water, while decanting water from them;
• to take semi-finished products (dumplings, dumplings, meatballs, cabbage rolls) from hot broth or sauce;
• use to create a delicious breakfast in the form of poached eggs;
• filter home-made sour-milk products (cheese, cottage cheese, butter);
• to extract fruits and berries from compotes, salted vegetables from cans;
• to get products from a large amount of oil (for example, french fries);
• lift the lids out of boiling water after sterilization;
• apply in the process of cooking this Uzbek pilaf.

Sometimes a slotted spoon is confused with a ladle, but these devices have not only external, but also functional differences. The ladle is a large deep spoon. Skimmer is flatter. The first tool has a solid work surface. The second one must have holes.

And finally, the soup ladle used for scooping up liquids (soup, compote, etc.). Skimmer, on the contrary, suggests draining excess fluid through holes in the material.

The main requirements for kitchen appliances are durability and environmental friendliness. Skimmers are in contact with food, so when heated, they should not emit any harmful substances. Based on this, manufacturers choose several materials for the manufacture of such items.

Such products are particularly strong and durable. They look good too. The material withstands long exposure to high temperatures, does not deform, and is resistant to mechanical stress. Besides, it does not react with the acid contained in some products, does not affect the taste of dishes.

Quite worthy stuff. The advantages and disadvantages of such products are similar to the characteristics of stainless steel items. Aluminum skimmers are inexpensive despite their reliability and ease of use.

Such kitchen gadgets are less durable than metal. But they please the housewives a variety of bright colors. Products are resistant to high temperatures, do not absorb odors. Upon contact with food and hot liquids, they do not lose the saturation of the shades.

Silicone products have recently appeared on the market, but have already managed to win the love of many buyers. The material is high-tech, absolutely safe for human health. Skimmers made of silicone are very beautiful and at the same time quite durable.

The color scheme of products is diverse. They are ideal for use in non-stick cookware. They do not spoil the protective layer. Accessories can be washed both manually and in the dishwasher.

Titanium skimmers are not used for cooking. These are special super durable products used in winter fishing. Using such a tool, the well is cleaned of ice. The design of the item is similar to a kitchen gadget. Often it is equipped with a handle made of polyurethane foam for ease of use. It also eliminates the risk of losing the tool if you accidentally drop it in water.

Chef's skimmers vary in size, shape, design and purpose. Such kitchen utensils can be made of one material or of two. All-metal are considered the most durable and durable. In this case, the molded handle is usually made thicker so that it is less heated and allows the product to be used safely.

There are options with special rubber or silicone inserts. Such parts prevent the device from slipping in the hand. There are models with a wooden handle. Plastic and silicone products can also be made of the same material or be composite.For example, it could be a combination of a silicone work surface and a stainless steel handle.

The shape of the objects also varies. Among such devices, there are models resembling a large spoon, a round ladle and even a spatula. As for the number and size of holes, these parameters can also vary. There are models with large holes. There are devices with a mesh or fine mesh surface.

There is no big difference between professional skimmers and home appliances. Anyway when choosing this kitchenware, its purpose should be taken into account. The shape of the product depends on this.

For example, it’s perfect for catching dumplings. slotted slotted skimmer. Some housewives also use such a spoon with perforation to stir soup or roast. The fact is that the holes create a certain resistance, so the risk of liquid splashing out of the pan is reduced.

Spoons with many small holes are suitable for removing foam. The mesh version in this case will also be convenient. Fine mesh models are suitable for deep fat. Such products easily capture potatoes, and fish, and donuts.

If you like pilaf cooked according to traditional recipes in a special dish, you will need a special skimmer for a cauldron. She can stir a culinary masterpiece in the process of creation, and lay out the finished dish on plates.

Choosing a slotted spoon pay attention not only to the working surface, but also to the handle. It should be comfortable. If possible, hold the device and make sure that it will not slip out. Give preference to models with a long handle. Such products make it easy to remove products from pots with high walls.

The average length of the handle of such a device is 15 centimeters. If the appliance is used in a food service establishment where food is cooked in huge containers, this figure can go up to 1 meter.

If this is a home appliance, consider how you will store it. It is convenient when there is a special hole on the handle of the tool, allowing you to hang it on the holder. A built-in loop is another option for attaching a skimmer to a rail.

When purchasing a slotted spoon, pay attention to the recommendations for caring for the product. In the dishwasher, not all appliances can be cleaned, although most modern models allow this treatment. It is also worth considering that products made from the same material are much easier to clean than devices consisting of a work surface and a handle attached to it. Dirt can clog into the joints between the two materials, which is quite difficult to remove.

If you wash the dishes by hand, ordinary non-abrasive detergents are suitable. To clean the mesh and fine mesh surfaces, you can use a soft nylon brush with thick bristles. If the holes are large, a simple sponge may be sufficient.

The good habit of washing kitchen appliances immediately after use can make your life easier. If something prevents you from rinsing the product immediately, the fat and other food debris can dry out, and this will make the cleaning process more difficult. In this situation, soapy water will save you. One has only to soak the product in it for 10-15 minutes, and then clean it with a brush.

As for storage, it depends on personal taste. If you are a supporter of minimalism and prefer to hide all kitchen utensils inside the headset, you can store skimmers in a drawer. Of course, before you remove the product, you must wipe it dry or wait for it to completely dry naturally.

Many modern housewives prefer to use railing rods. These are compact designs that attach to a wall or top kitchen cabinets. On the rails there are numerous hooks that allow you to hang various devices. Here you can place not only diverse skimmers, but also ladles, shovels and other useful appliances.

A scoop-shaped skimmer review awaits you further.