CONOR POPEtets four ice cream scoops

Ikea Ice Cream Scoop €3.69

Like much of the stock in Ikea’s homeware’s section, this scoop is very cheap — although by comparison to last week’s watering can, it is left in the ha’penny place. It is nicely designed and very robust. While some scoops become contorted and eventually snap when repeatedly introduced to very hard-frozen ice cream, this solid metal number stays rock solid. It has a nice brushed chrome finish and a speckled base which leaves a dinky little pattern on the individual scoops of ice cream.

Verdict: Cheap and sturdy

****

WMF Ice Cream Scoop €19.95

This German-made device is probably not the most expensive scoop in the world, but it still seems a little overpriced to us. It does have a spring-action device which allows you to separate the ice cream from the scoop – although really it’s not necessary – most ice cream comes out of its own accord, in our experience. It is sturdily made so won’t bend under pressure and is also nattily designed so will probably last a long time. We still reckon it’s too dear, mind you.

Verdict: Pricey

**

Stellar Ice Cream Scoop €6.95

Like a lot of Stellar products, this is absolutely fine if a bit dull and it lacks any kind of stand-out feature. It is comparatively cheap and works pretty well, although we couldn’t help thinking it wasn’t much of a step up from a spoon, which would, of course, be a whole lot cheaper. Of more concern to us was the handle, which was on the ever-so-slightly bendy side and had us fearing for the longevity of this.

Verdict: A little feeble

***

Kitschn-Fun Musical Ice Cream Scoop €11.95

This scoops ice-cream pretty well and If you’re in the market for a green-handled, plastic scoop that plays Happy Birthday to You and Greensleeves and grunts like a pig loudly while you scoop ice-cream into bowls then this is for you. Most right-minded people, we suspect, will however regard it as hideous. Of course, maybe we’re taking it a bit too seriously and sure isn’t this scoop just a bit of craic? No, no it’s not, it’s hideous.

Verdict: Make it stop

**