Michael Symon ‘Can’t Live Without’ This $1 Gadget

As avid cooks, we’re always looking for ways to upgrade our homes with kitchenware the pros swear by. While you might assume that expert chefs stock their kitchens with only the fanciest tools and gadgets, there are some chef-recommended staples that are surprisingly affordable.  In an interview with Tasting Table, Michael Symon shared the one kitchen tool he “literally can’t cook without,” and we found some starting at just $1 at Amazon.

Instead of buying one-use gadgets, Symon recommends sticking with the basics and only stocking tools that perform multiple tasks, like a chef’s knife, a rasp-style grater, a good spoon, and some bench scrapers: Regarding the bench scrapers, he said, “There’s nothing that you can’t make with those things.” It’s his secret weapon for transporting, scooping, cutting, and cleaning as he cooks. Read on to shop some shopper- and editor-loved bench scrapers, starting at just $1 apiece.

Best Amazon Bench Scrapers to Buy

• Cewifo Dough Cutter Bench Scraper, Set of 5, $5
• KitchenAid Gourmet Bowl Scraper, Set of 2, $8
• OXO Good Grips Bench Scraper & Chopper, $10, originally $12
• Cewifo Hard Bench Scraper Dough Scraper, Set of 4, $4
• Mrs. Anderson’s Baking Bench Dough Scraper, Natural Bamboo, $10, originally $11
• Fox Run 3-in-1 Bowl and Dough Scraper, $10
• Lodge Pan Scrapers, 2-Pack, $7
• Chef’n Pastrio Bench Scraper Set, $13

Cewifo Dough Cutter Bench Scraper, Set of 5

These flexible plastic scrapers are simple yet functional. They’re rounded on one side for scraping the bottoms of mixing bowls and straight on the other side for cutting and scraping flat surfaces. The pack comes with five bench scrapers for $5 total, making each just $1 apiece. Stock up your own kitchen or take a page out of Symon’s book and give some away to friends. “It’s like my parting gift,” he said.

KitchenAid Gourmet Bowl Scraper, Set of 2

Symon prefers plastic bench scrapers to metal ones, and this 2-pack from KitchenAid is a shopper favorite. The silicone scrapers come in two shapes and sizes — one tall and narrow and the other short and wide — for a wide variety of tasks. The pieces are flexible enough to bend to the shape of any bowl, pot, or countertop, and they’re heat-resistant up to 450°F. 

OXO Good Grips Bench Scraper & Chopper

Whether you’re portioning out dough or taking freshly chopped vegetables from cutting board to pan, this stainless steel bench scraper is the way to go. It can “lift the thinnest dough,” according to one shopper, as well as scoop up freshly baked cookies, smash garlic, separate dough, and more. Our testers named it the best value bench scraper for your money, so grab yours for just $10 to see why we (and over 15,200 Amazon shoppers) recommend it.

Cewifo Hard Bench Scraper Dough Scraper, Set of 4

These stiff yet subtly flexible plastic scrapers are ideal for spreading icing on cakes, cleaning off countertops, and cutting soft foods like bread dough and butter. This set of four comes with a yellow, blue, white, and green scraper, and they’re less than $1 right now.

Mrs. Anderson’s Baking Bench Dough Scraper, Natural Bamboo

Looking for a scraper that won’t scratch up your ceramic cookware or nonstick pots and pans? Try this bamboo one that’s a smart alternative to plastic models. It has a roomy handle for easy maneuvering and is durable enough to lift heavy dough.

Fox Run 3-in-1 Bowl and Dough Scraper

If you can only buy one bench scraper, make it this double-sided workhorse from Fox Run. It’s flat on one side and curved on the other side, so it’s ideal for scooping and scraping food out of bowls, off your cutting board, and so much more. Plus, the scraper is slightly concave, which makes it easier to lift and transport prepped produce.

Lodge Pan Scrapers, 2-Pack

For those extra-tough surfaces, like grill grates and cast iron skillets, a flimsy scraper won’t cut it. A metal bench scraper can scratch up your beloved cookware, so nearly 20,000 Amazon shoppers swear by this ultra-durable polycarbonate duo from Lodge. The uniquely shaped pan scrapers are strong enough to lift the toughest debris off your workspace, bowls, cookware, and beyond.

Chef’n Pastrio Bench Scraper Set

This bench scraper trio is another editor-approved pick. The set comes with one stainless steel scraper, one straight-edge plastic scraper, and an extra bendy rounded scraper. The pieces measure 6.4 x 4.5 inches, and they’re all dishwasher-safe. Plus, they all nest together for easy storage, which is a game-changer for small kitchens.