KPKitchen Pancake Batter Dispenser, 4-Cup, Purple

Angie's honest notes

I have had this for about three years, and it changed how I make pancakes.

The problem it solves. When you keep the batter in a bowl or a pitcher and spoon it onto the pan, you make a mess. Batter everywhere, drips around the pan, and a pile of spoons and dishes to wash. And it takes time. With this, I mix the batter, pour it in, and that is it. The only thing I dirty is what I used to mix.

How it works. You squeeze the handle and the batter comes out right where you are pointing, like a funnel that opens. When I let the handle go, it closes and stops. So I get the exact amount I want, every time, for full pancakes or for little ones.

What that fixes at the pan. No more batter running past the edge, no drips landing on the burner. When batter spills around the pan it burns, and then everything you cook after that tastes and smells smoky, or comes out looking ugly. This keeps it clean, so the pancakes come out the way they should.

It saves real time. Fewer dishes, fewer steps, and I finish the pancakes much faster. It is not for any batter, though. It is made for pour batters: pancakes, cupcakes and waffles. A thick dough would not come through, though KPKitchen says the valve is three quarters of an inch wide so chunky batter can pass. The brand also lists it as BPA-free and dishwasher safe.

Washing it. Easy. It also goes in the dishwasher, which for me is half the reason I still use it after three years.

The one thing. You need a few tries to get the feel for it. Learning how long to squeeze so the pancake comes out the size you want takes a little practice. After that it is almost perfect every time.

Who I would give this to. The mom who gets up early to make breakfast before school. Those mornings are rushed, and this makes them much less complicated and saves real time.

Skip it if you only make pancakes a couple of times a year. It earns its space when breakfast is a regular thing in your house.