Price Points: Non scratch whisks

Non scratch whisks

We have a set of cast iron enamel saucepans that see a lot of use; from poaching eggs to simmering stews. We tend to use wooden spoons when cooking with them as metal ones damage the surface. With certain recipes – like some sauces and roux – it’s preferable to use to use a whisk. We only have a stainless steel one so I need to check out some non scratch whisks.

As well as the low, low price (only two quid!), I like the green credentials of the Viners whisk. Unlike our other two short-listed whisks, it’s composition is more than a third waste product.

  1. Viners organic whisk, beige: £2.00, Harts of Stur

Crafted from 35% wheat fibre, a by-product from the farming industry which has historically been burnt. These utensils are manufactured to the highest standards to ensure durability, strength, and comfortable use and are dishwasher safe.

Nylon whisk: £7.00, ProCook

Ideal for making sauces or scrambled eggs in non-stick pans
Made from nylon set on a brushed stainless steel handle
Fully dishwasher safe

2-in-1 Twist™ whisk: £12.00, Joseph Joseph

With a simple twist of the handle, this clever design can be switched between a balloon whisk and a flat whisk making it ideal for a range of different tasks.

• Two essential whisks in one
• Flat whisk for blending and balloon whisk for whipping
• Folds flat for compact storage
• Silicone-coated steel wires heat-resistant up to 200˚C/392˚F
• Suitable for non-stick cookware

shop non scratch whisks

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Prices & links correct at time of publication.

2-in-1 Twist™ whisk
2-in-1 Twist™ whisk
£12.00
Nylon whisk
Nylon whisk
£7.00
Viners organic whisk, beige
Viners organic whisk, beige
£2.00
2-in-1 Twist™ whisk
2-in-1 Twist™ whisk
£12.00
Nylon whisk
Nylon whisk
£7.00
Viners organic whisk, beige
Viners organic whisk, beige
£2.00
2-in-1 Twist™ whisk
2-in-1 Twist™ whisk
£12.00
Nylon whisk
Nylon whisk
£7.00
Viners organic whisk, beige
Viners organic whisk, beige
£2.00
2-in-1 Twist™ whisk
2-in-1 Twist™ whisk
£12.00
Nylon whisk
Nylon whisk
£7.00
Viners organic whisk, beige
Viners organic whisk, beige
£2.00
2-in-1 Twist™ whisk
2-in-1 Twist™ whisk
£12.00
Nylon whisk
Nylon whisk
£7.00
Viners organic whisk, beige
Viners organic whisk, beige
£2.00

Price Points: Left-handed ice cream scoops

Left-handed ice cream scoops

It’s not easy being a left-hander and keen cook. There’s a long list of kitchen tools, gadgets and utensils that aren’t designed for us; scissors, knives, peelers, corkscrews, can openers, whisks, cooking spoons and spatulas. Not to mention lipped saucepans, mixing bowls and ladles – the list goes on and on!

When I searched the internet with a fine tooth comb looking for left-handed ice cream scoops, I only found one… one company – Stöckel – that makes them! Considering 10% of the world’s population are southpaws, other manufacturers are missing out on a lot of potential custom!

The other two will work well enough for both left and right handers. However, a scoop with a lever and ‘scooper’ (the narrow, semi-circular piece of metal inside the scoop that swivels) does a better job.

  1. Safvo ice cream scoop stainless steel with ergonomic non-slip rubber grip: £7.97, Amazon
  2. Stöckel professional ice cream scoop for left-handers – Model KL: £59.00, Loewen META
  3. Vintage original Mariposa cast aluminium cone shaped ice cream scoop: £40.00, eBay

shop left-handed ice cream scoops

Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission - at no cost to you - if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Vintage original Mariposa cast aluminium cone shaped ice cream scoop
Vintage original Mariposa cast aluminium cone shaped ice cream scoop
£40.00
Stöckel professional ice cream scoop for left-handers – Model KL
Stöckel professional ice cream scoop for left-handers – Model KL
£59.00
Safvo ice cream scoop stainless steel with ergonomic non-slip rubber grip
Safvo ice cream scoop stainless steel with ergonomic non-slip rubber grip
£7.97
Vintage original Mariposa cast aluminium cone shaped ice cream scoop
Vintage original Mariposa cast aluminium cone shaped ice cream scoop
£40.00
Stöckel professional ice cream scoop for left-handers – Model KL
Stöckel professional ice cream scoop for left-handers – Model KL
£59.00
Safvo ice cream scoop stainless steel with ergonomic non-slip rubber grip
Safvo ice cream scoop stainless steel with ergonomic non-slip rubber grip
£7.97
Vintage original Mariposa cast aluminium cone shaped ice cream scoop
Vintage original Mariposa cast aluminium cone shaped ice cream scoop
£40.00
Stöckel professional ice cream scoop for left-handers – Model KL
Stöckel professional ice cream scoop for left-handers – Model KL
£59.00
Safvo ice cream scoop stainless steel with ergonomic non-slip rubber grip
Safvo ice cream scoop stainless steel with ergonomic non-slip rubber grip
£7.97
Vintage original Mariposa cast aluminium cone shaped ice cream scoop
Vintage original Mariposa cast aluminium cone shaped ice cream scoop
£40.00
Stöckel professional ice cream scoop for left-handers – Model KL
Stöckel professional ice cream scoop for left-handers – Model KL
£59.00
Safvo ice cream scoop stainless steel with ergonomic non-slip rubber grip
Safvo ice cream scoop stainless steel with ergonomic non-slip rubber grip
£7.97
Vintage original Mariposa cast aluminium cone shaped ice cream scoop
Vintage original Mariposa cast aluminium cone shaped ice cream scoop
£40.00
Stöckel professional ice cream scoop for left-handers – Model KL
Stöckel professional ice cream scoop for left-handers – Model KL
£59.00
Safvo ice cream scoop stainless steel with ergonomic non-slip rubber grip
Safvo ice cream scoop stainless steel with ergonomic non-slip rubber grip
£7.97

Price Points: Kitchen utensil sets

Kitchen utensil sets

My niece and her boyfriend have just put a deposit down on their first rented flat. I remember my first rental all those years ago. Unlike mine, their place is completely unfurnished – they have absolutely nothing!

The main essentials the pair of them are going to need – pronto – are a bed, sofa and fridge-freezer. Those are big budget items, but there are also some not so expensive ones that I bet they’ve not even thought about. Glassware, crockery, cutlery and utensils can be bought in sets for not a lot of money, but that doesn’t mean you should go out and buy the first or the cheapest ones you come across. Think about the kinds of things you like to cook, eat and drink and that will point you in the right direction.

For instance, don’t purchase a set of 6 soup bowls if you don’t like or never eat soup. If you like cereal for breakfast, then cereal bowls are the right choice. Similarly, a set of fish knives & forks probably won’t see much action. However, you can never have too many teaspoons in your home if you drink tea and/or coffee… ditto mugs!

The same applies to kitchen utensil sets; there’s no sense buying a set where you won’t use half of the tools. Again, think about what you eat. Pizza? A pizza wheel is useful. Mashed potatoes? A masher or – in my opinion – the best tool for that job, a ricer.

Get a utensil bundle that includes a tin opener, a peeler, a couple of different spatulas, at least three spoons (one slotted) and a wine/bottle opener. From experience, I know that a melon baller and those 2-pronged meat fork things never see the light of day.

  1. Grey silicone kitchen utensils – set of 11: £15.79, Roov
  2. 28-piece stainless steel kitchen utensil set: £59.25, eBay
  3. Kitchenaid universal tool and gadget set: £74.99, Wayfair

shop kitchen utensil sets

Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission - at no cost to you - if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Kitchenaid universal tool and gadget set
Kitchenaid universal tool and gadget set
£74.99
28-piece stainless steel kitchen utensil set
28-piece stainless steel kitchen utensil set
£59.25
Grey silicone kitchen utensils – set of 11
Grey silicone kitchen utensils – set of 11
£15.79
Kitchenaid universal tool and gadget set
Kitchenaid universal tool and gadget set
£74.99
28-piece stainless steel kitchen utensil set
28-piece stainless steel kitchen utensil set
£59.25
Grey silicone kitchen utensils – set of 11
Grey silicone kitchen utensils – set of 11
£15.79
Kitchenaid universal tool and gadget set
Kitchenaid universal tool and gadget set
£74.99
28-piece stainless steel kitchen utensil set
28-piece stainless steel kitchen utensil set
£59.25
Grey silicone kitchen utensils – set of 11
Grey silicone kitchen utensils – set of 11
£15.79
Kitchenaid universal tool and gadget set
Kitchenaid universal tool and gadget set
£74.99
28-piece stainless steel kitchen utensil set
28-piece stainless steel kitchen utensil set
£59.25
Grey silicone kitchen utensils – set of 11
Grey silicone kitchen utensils – set of 11
£15.79
Kitchenaid universal tool and gadget set
Kitchenaid universal tool and gadget set
£74.99
28-piece stainless steel kitchen utensil set
28-piece stainless steel kitchen utensil set
£59.25
Grey silicone kitchen utensils – set of 11
Grey silicone kitchen utensils – set of 11
£15.79

Price Points: Cake decorating combs

Cake decorating combs | H is for Home

While browsing cake recipes on Pinterest this week, I realised what the one thing would be to make my home-made cakes look much more professional. Cake decorating combs may be pretty cheap, basic tools, but they can make a huge difference to the look of the end product.

For a little over a pound, you can give your iced/frosted/butter cream cake a smooth, attractive finish. Each of the combs featured has at least three different types of ‘teeth’ – giving you a choice in the width/depth of the lines/swirls you make on the top and sides of your sweet creations.

  1. Polypropylene decorating comb: £1.18, Nisbets
  2. Ateco aluminium cake decorating comb: £3.78, Amazon
  3. Wilton 3pc icing comb set: £14.99, eBay