dishers

A disher, also called a portion scoop, is a handheld kitchen tool used to portion uniform amounts of soft foods such as cookie dough, batters, mashed potatoes, or ice cream. In professional kitchens, dishers help maintain consistency in portion size, weight, and portion-related costs.

Design and operation: A disher typically features a stainless steel scoop attached to a handle with a spring-loaded plunger. Squeezing the handle traps a portion in the scoop, and releasing the lever ejects the portion. Some models rely on gravity and a release trigger instead of a spring. Dishers come in a range of sizes, usually indicated by a number; the numbers loosely correspond to portion size, with smaller numbers generally producing larger portions and larger numbers producing smaller portions.

Materials and sizes: Most dishers are made of stainless steel for durability and sanitary use, with handles that may be plastic or metal and sometimes feature non-slip grips. Some models offer adjustable portion settings or interchangeable bowls to vary the portion size.

Applications and advantages: Dishers are used in bakeries, restaurants, catering, and cafeterias to portion cookie dough, batter, mashed potatoes, fillings, and other soft foods. They provide uniform portions, improve speed and efficiency, reduce waste, and promote consistent cooking or baking times.

Care and maintenance: Rinse after use and dry to prevent corrosion. Many dishers are dishwasher-safe, but users should follow manufacturer directions. Keep the release mechanism clean and consider lubrication if recommended by the manufacturer. Store with the plunger in a neutral position to preserve spring life.