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A melon baller is a small kitchen utensil used to scoop out round, spherical pieces of melon and other fruits. It's one of those kitchen tools you may not think of a lot, but it's incredibly handy when making a fruit salad or a delicious dessert. Melon ballers are commonly used for creating decorative fruit arrangements or for portioning melons for salads, desserts, or garnishes. They can vary in size, but they always have a handle attached to a small round metal bowl with sharp edges. The favorite on our list of the best melon ballers is the OXO Good Grips Melon Baller because it is double-sided, has two different size metal bowls, and has a comfortable non-slip handle.
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The Best Melon Baller Buying Guide
This buying guide covers all the necessary information you require to make the perfect choice for melon ballers.
What Should You Prioritize While Buying Melon Ballers?
If you plan on buying the most amazing melon baller, you will have to focus on some key points.
Size
You'll want to get a baller that can create appropriate balls for your needs. The size of the balls is usually measured in millimeters (mm). The best way to determine which size will work for you is to consider what kind of melon you'll be using.For example, if you're making watermelon balls, you'll need a baller that creates balls at least 45mm in size. If you're using a cantaloupe or honeydew melon, you'll need a baller that makes balls between 50mm and 60mm.
Handle
There are two common types of handles: straight and offset. A straight-handled baller will make it easy to scoop out the flesh of the melon. An offset-handled baller will make it easier to scoop out balls at an angle (which is more common when using a round melon).
The material
Ballers are usually made from one of two materials: stainless steel or plastic. Stainless steel ballers are more durable and can be used with many different types of melons. Plastic ballers are much cheaper, but they can't be used with certain kinds of melons, like cantaloupes.
The length of the handle
As with most things, shorter is better when it comes to melon ballers. Long handles prevent your hands from getting dirty but make it harder to scoop out the flesh of a melon. If you're going to be using your baller with large melons, then you'll want to make sure that the handle is at least 12 inches long. If you're using a small melon, then a shorter handle will work just fine.
Length and width
The overall length of the baller is important because it determines how easy, or difficult, it will be to store. The width of the head is important because it determines how large the balls will be. If you want smaller balls, you'll need a baller with a narrower head.
Sharpness
Whether or not the baller comes with a cover is important because it keeps the blade sharp and prevents contamination. A cover is especially important if you're using the baller to cut meat.
What Are the Perks of Using Melon Ballers?
If you're interested in making a summer fruit salad, there's no better tool than a melon baller. These small utensils provide several benefits that make them an essential kitchen tool.
Easy usage
One of the great things about melon ballers is that they're very easy to use. All you need to do is press the baller into your melon and then scoop out all of the fruit in one motion.
Speed up the process
Using a melon baller, you can easily remove fruit in just a couple seconds. This makes it very convenient to prepare a fruit salad or even just to snack on some fruit. Compare that to using a knife where it can take several minutes to remove round slices of fruit. Even if you plan to use the melon for a different purpose, it's still faster to remove fruit with a baller.
Consistency
One of the benefits of using a melon baller is that you get perfectly round balls every time. If you use a knife, then the size of your slices can vary significantly depending on how well you cut. With a melon baller, you don't have to worry about that since the size is always consistent.
They’re versatile
One of the great things about a melon baller is that it can be used for multiple purposes. You can use a melon baller for everything from removing fruit to shaping mashed potatoes. This also makes them great if you want to give out small gifts, like favors for a wedding or baby shower. You can even use them to make small snowmen out of sugar.
What Are the Most Commonly Used Types of Melon Ballers?
A melon baller is one of the most versatile kitchen tools. It can be used for tasks as diverse as scooping out cantaloupe balls or removing seeds from a cucumber. Which type should you buy? Here are three types to consider and their advantages.
The traditional melon baller
This is the most common type of melon baller. It has a cylindrical shape and a sharp point for piercing the fruit. It’s made from stainless steel and typically has a wooden handle for comfort while using it. The traditional melon baller is best for:
Making uniform melon balls
Piercing the fruit skin
The serrated melon baller
This type of melon baller has a sharp edge with small serrations. It is typically made from plastic. The serrated melon baller is best for:
Scooping the fruit out (the serrations help create grooves for scooping, similar to a grapefruit spoon or spork)
Making waffle cuts on the fruit (useful for decorating desserts)
The scraper melon baller
This melon baller is shaped like a small shovel. It has a blunt edge and no sharp point. It is made from plastic or stainless steel. The scraper melon baller is best for:
Removing the seeds from cucumbers
Removing the pulp from tomatoes or other fruits with seeds
Making waffle cuts on the fruit (useful for decorating desserts)
How To Maintain a Melon Baller?
Here are a few tips that can help you maintain melon ballers with ease for a long time.
First, always make sure to clean your melon baller after each use. This will help remove any food residue that may have been left behind and prevent it from getting absorbed into the material. Clean your melon baller with warm water and a dish cloth or sponge to remove any left behind food residue.
To protect your melon baller from rusting, add a few drops of oil to the metal surface. This will help protect it from rusting and keep it in good condition for a long time.
Finally, store your melon baller in a dry place when not in use. This will help prevent rust formation and keep it in good condition.
The size of the melon baller should be chosen based on the size of the melon to be cut. If a small ball is desired, then a small melon baller should be chosen and same with a bigger ball and bigger melon baller.
What is the difference between a grapefruit spoon and a melon baller?
A grapefruit spoon is typically serrated and has a pointed end. It can be used to remove the outer skin of citrus fruits, like grapefruits. A melon baller is typically spoon-shaped with a round end for removing the insides of fruits and vegetables, like melons.
How to use a melon baller?
A melon baller can be used to cut a small hole in the middle of the fruit and then scoop it out. The tool is also helpful for removing the skin of the fruit.
