Dishers/scoopers or cookie scoops, are all designed for portion control. From scooping mash potatoes or cookies, they yield a set amount.
The interesting thing is the higher the number the smaller the disher/scooper. Below is a chart that gives the number, the amount in tablespoons, teaspoons or cups and the fluid ounces.
| Numbers and Sizes of Disher/Scoopers | ||
| Number of disher/scooper | Approx. Tablespoon - Teaspoons - cups | Fluid Ounce |
| 100 | 2 teaspoons | 0.25 |
| 70 | 2 ¾ teaspoons | 0.375 |
| 60 | 1 tablespoon | 0 .5 |
| 50 | 4 teaspoons | 0.625 |
| 40 | 1 ½ tablespoons | 0.75 |
| 30 | 2 ¼ tablespoons | 0.1.125 |
| 24 | 3 tablespoons | 1.5 |
| 20 | 3 ½ tablespoons | 1.875 |
| 16 | ¼ cup | 2 |
| 14 | ⅓ cup | 2.375 |
| 12 | ⅓ + cups | 2.875 |
| 10 | ⅜ cup | 3.25 |
| 8 | ½ cup | 3.75 |
| 6 | ⅝ cup | 4.75 |
| 5 | ¾ cup | 6.0 |
| 4 | 1 cup | 8.0 |
Why I use Vollrath disher/scoopers
Ever since I owned the bakery I have used the brand Vollrath disher/scoopers. They have two different lines. There is the stainless steel ones that are pictured and a l line that features colored handles that have a thumb press as opposed to the squeeze handle.
The original intent with the colored handles was to connect a color to a size. So, instead of calling for a #20 you would call for the color of the handle.
Natalie says
I’m left-handed so I do not use the thumb press style of scoopers. However, I love my stainless steel scoopers!
Helen S Fletcher says
Hi Natalie - whatever works for you is my motto. I'm not sure of the differences as I have always used the stainless steel ones in my business as well as at home. Ahhh, I just remembered what the difference is. I can see that the thumb press would be difficult for you, I had an employee at the bakery once that was left handed and it was really difficult to teach him because he effectively did everything backwards from us right handers. interesting comment and one that I can update in my chart. Thanks for bringing it up.
CHERYL says
I made your perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe. I used a #40 scooper and I didn't get 42 cookies. Do you vary in size by name brand? I didn't get a final count but on my last count it was around 34. They were getting soft and I wanted to get in the freezer asap. Should I bake right out of the freezer or should they be refrigerated and then baked?
I love your blog. You are a fountain of information.
Helen S Fletcher says
Hi Cheryl - I have only used Vollrath dishers so I'm not sure if they vary or not. I scrape my dishers off really clean when I drop the cookies. Not sure why they were really soft. Even out of the mixer they are firm enough to scoop without softening. They can be baked right from the freezer, just add a few minutes.