On skimmer is a kitchen tool that is an indispensable feature of every chef. Because this practical Toolis enormously versatile – it can do much more than the name suggests. For what use the skimmer ideal and what you should consider when choosing, we have put together here for you.

What is a skimmer?

On skimmer is often referred to as a skimmer. It has the same shape as a flat ladle. The bottom of the spoon has many evenly spaced holes. Is the skimmer Not equipped with a spoon bottom, but with a sieve-like wire mesh, it is also called sieve or spoon spoon. The spoon sits angled to a long, straight handle. This is often provided with an eyelet or a hook at the other end, so that the kitchen tool can be hung in handy and space-saving.

Indispensable for clear broth

Its original use is the skimmer in the preparation of meat or poultry broth. The meat is first added with the addition of vegetables and herbs in cold water and then heated together with the ingredients. When the water reaches the boiling point, protein dissolves from the meat and rises to the surface of the broth as greyish-brown foam. If this foam is not skimmed off in time with the skimmer, it sinks and forms many small suspended particles, which cause an undesirable clouding of the broth. If you want to cook a clear beef broth, you can not do without a skimmer.

What else can the skimmer do?

The skimmer is useful everywhere, where floating food is drawn from the cooking liquid, because the pouring of the liquid is not desirable. Sensitive delicacies in particular would easily be damaged when the cooking water is poured into a sieve. With a ladlegently and carefully lift them out of the water without crushing or disintegrating them. After draining the food, liquid or grease flows quickly through the sieve holes. This prevents food from getting watered down on the plate.

If you prepare dumplings, ravioli or gnocchi, you can easily remove them from the cooking water with a skimmer from the bottom of the pot. It is especially useful for food that only rises to the surface when it has finished cooking. For example, during spaetzle preparation, the cook draws the finished spaetzle from the water surface before scraping a new portion of dough into the pot.

The skimmer is also perfect for gently lifting blanched vegetables. Also, the chef can quickly and easily lift fried foods out of hot fat with this kitchen utensil. And if too much fat deposits on a cold soup or sauce, it can easily be removed with a foam spoon.

What should be considered when choosing a foam spoon?

Who one ladleshould buy, should consider some details before. Depending on the application, a large diameter may be advantageous, for example when skimming large amounts of spaetzle. But the wider and flatter the spoon, the easier it is for big dumplings to roll off its surface. For the skimming of dumplings, ravioli and gnocchi, therefore, a strongly curved bottom with a smaller diameter makes more sense. The diameter of the spoon bottom should also be matched to the respective pot diameter.

Whether the ladle is made of stainless steel or plastic is a matter of application. Plastic versions especially protect against anti-adhesive coatings Cookwareand can therefore be good for the wokuse. The disadvantage is that plastic can only tolerate heat to a limited extent: If you want to use the skimmer to scoop up food from the frying fat, you should always pay attention to the manufacturer’s specification for heat resistance.