Norpro NOR- SCOOP, SANTOPRENE HANDLE, 42MM (2 Tablespoon)

I was looking for a size 100 scoop for scooping chocolate ganache to make truffles. I tried four scoops: The Vollrath 47161 S/S Size 100 Squeeze Disher Scoop, the Jenaluca Mini Cookie Scoop, the Norpro 675 1.5 tsp scoop, and the Norpro 701 Grip-EZ 2 tsp scoop. The upshot: Of these four scoops I preferred the Norpro 701 Grip-EZ 2 tsp scoop (the one on this page). It had the strongest mechanism, was the right size, and was the best able to handle scooping thick ganache. (1) Vollrath 47161 S/S Size 100 Squeeze Disher Scoop (one star). This scoop turned out to be flimsy. It had a weak cog-and-ratchet mechanism which could not handle the stiffness of the ganache I was trying to scoop. When the scoop’s flange encountered the ganache the cog would jump several holes, and the flange would become misaligned. The flange’s resting point would be outside the bowl, and when I squeezed the handles together it would only travel partway across the back of the bowl. I was able to fix it by manually pushing the cog back into the correct hole, but this misalignment happened on my first, second, and third use of this scoop. The scoop was useless on ganache. I returned it. For more detail, see my specific review on this scoop. (2) Jenaluca Mini Cookie Scoop (three stars). This scoop had a similar cog-and-ratchet design as the Vollrath, but had a little metal overhang that largely kept the cog from skipping holes. It was stronger than the Vollrath, and was overall a better scoop. It was able to scoop the ganache and release it without becoming misaligned most of the time. However, it had some issues: (a) it DID become misaligned once — despite the metal overhang, the cog did skip holes, though I was able to manually fix it. (b) The return spring was sometimes not strong enough to push the flange back through the thick ganache, with the result that I had to pry the handles apart with my fingers to get the flange back to its start position. Lastly, (c) there was a relatively large gap (about 1/16+ inch) between the flange and the back of the bowl, which led to a thick coating of ganache on the back of the bowl, and either that gap, or the ganache coating it left behind, interfered with the release of subsequent scoops. I’d frequently get only a torn half of my ganache truffle out, while the remainder would be stuck to the flange or the back of the bowl. I’d have to dig it out with my fingers and stick it onto the other half. So I was able to scoop my ganache, but it was a hassle, and involved struggling with the scoop and repairing a lot of my truffles. I returned this one too. (3) The Norpro 675 1.5 tsp (four stars). This is a good quality scoop, with a strong spring and solid mechanism, but the 675 was too small for my needs. Scoop sizing can be kind of hard to figure out — Norpro does not put an official size on its scoop packaging. But this Norpro 675 scoop was noticeably smaller than the Vollrath and the Jenaluca size 100 scoops. Doing some research, I found that a size 100 scoop has about a 2 tsp capacity, while this Norpro 675 scoop had about a 1.5 tsp capacity. And on the 675 scoop itself, it has a "110" inscribed on the flange, so I think that's the official size. So, it was too small for me. I kept it, however, as it is a good solid scoop and the postage to return it was almost as much as the scoop was worth. (4) The Norpro 701 Grip-EZ 2 tsp scoop (five stars). This is a strong, sturdy, simple scoop. It is heavy in the hand and its mechanism feels smooth and powerful. Its cog mechanism is slightly different than the Jenaluca’s and the Vollrath’s: instead of a cog that runs along a metal strip with holes in it, it has a cog that runs along the edge of a metal strip with rectangular teeth on it. A metal tab prevents the cog from skipping teeth. The Norpro 701 is almost certainly a size 100 (though this size is not listed on the packaging). But its two teaspoon capacity is consistent with a size 100, and the flange was inscribed with "100," so I think that's the official size. When I tried this scoop on stiff ganache, the cog never skipped, so it never became misaligned. Next, the spring that pushes the flange back to its start position is more powerful than the Jenaluca’s. The vast majority of the time the spring was strong enough to propel the flange back through the ganache. Occasionally it would take a second to go back through, but only once or twice did I have to pry the handles apart. Lastly, the flange is positioned so that it sweeps very close to the back of the bowl, which means less interference with the release of subsequent portions. The scoops release with relative ease, either dropping out on their own or requiring only a gentle touch of a finger to finish the release. This scoop produced a whole tray of half-sphere portions of ganache, uniform in size and shape, which was just what I wanted. I have found my scoop! So, of these four scoops, I preferred the Norpro 701 Grip-EZ 2 tsp scoop for scooping chocolate ganache centers for truffles.

Excellent scooper for doughs and batter. Mine lasted for years and washed well in dishwasher. Do not use for products that are stiff and thick like ice cream -- it will break. I broke mine that way but am buying another because the first was so great.

Perfect for making big “kitchen sink” cookies. Hoping to use it for meatballs as well. Not flimsy and works well. Easy clean.

Very happy with cookie scoop purchase; I’ve used it a doz times already; the quality is very good; the feel in hand is comfortable and easy for my old hands to grip. It is a clean release and doesn’t leave dough under the “scoop blade” and it makes a nice size cookie. Excellent value for the price point! I looked at a number of them & did review reading; very pleased with this selection. I’ll report back if that changes. Happy Baking!

I gave this NORPRO GRIP-EZ 2 teaspoon SCOOP one star, not because I didn't like it, but rather because it broke on first official use. This scoop was delivered JUNE 2014 with two other larger sized NORPRO scoops. Both larger scoops work well for thin and thick batters, however I bought this very small (1 1/8th") scoop to scoop candy dough (making uniform candy balls from soft coconut cream dough and soft chocolate ganache). I intended to use this small scoop for making soft center candies at Christmastime, however time did not allow for such. Instead, I deferred use until Easter 2015 to make Easter candy treats. The doughs I use are not particularly thick, and respond without issue to the other larger NORPRO scoops, however during my first real "test use" of this small NORPRO 710 scoop, I quickly discovered that the metal "bar" part inside of the scoop was not pushing the contents out of the scoop. It was requiring 5-10 squeezes for each ball (not optimal for tendonitis/arthritis of hand). Upon close inspection, the metal "bar" inside of this small scoop did not appear to be fixed (welded") and therefore "slipped" when the handle was squeezed, therefore failing to expel the contents from the scoop. As it stands, this scoop is useless to me. For $14, I would expect better quality assurance practices to assure good function. (Note: The metal bar part inside both of my larger NORPRO scoops appear to be in a "fixed/welded" position and function fine.) I will attempt to contact NORPRO to see if they will stand behind their product and provide a replacement. Considering it's current condition, I cannot recommend this small NORPRO 701 GRIP-EZ 2 teaspoon STAINLESS SCOOP. PRODUCT UPDATE: NORPRO graciously sent a replacement scoop to rectify my initial issue with a failing half circle "movable scoop bar". The replacement has worked fine and is reflected in my upgraded (4 star) review.

Scoop works well. I am happy with the grip and how the scoop works.

Quality item, good weight. But the thing that we all want to know but is not included in the description? The Norpro 2 Tablespoon (42mm) scoop is a #40 scoop.

It is a little expensive and I had to wait a month for the 2 tablespoon size to be available, but I have it now and have been using it for two months during holiday baking. Soft cookie dough, stiff cookie dough, meatballs - it works easily, smoothly and the results are uniform. It's a sturdy little scoop and releases the little mounds with no problem. I like it. I should have bought one years ago. It does take a small effort to squeeze - no problem for me but I can see it being a problem for arthritic hands. The only extra step for some cookies is the need to slightly flatten the cookie dough balls on the cookie sheet prior to baking. I use a salad fork - no big deal after the original time saving using this scoop. It is easy to clean and handy to use.