Coil whisk. © Denzil Green / 2005
Coil whisks are ideal for mixing in a confined space such as a small bowl.
Rather than making the traditional circular whisking motions, you just press up and down on the whisk, or twirl the handle between the palms of your hands (thus another name for it: “twirl whisk”.)
They are also fabulous for making gravy in roasting pans, as they can scrape the bottom of the pan well to release the flavour bits stuck to the bottom.
While these are very good for blending, they are not great at whipping.
Many people are suspicious of this whisk shape at first, but after they’ve tried it, swear that you will pry it only out of their cold, dead hands. These whisks can save tired or sore arms or wrists a lot of pain if you just use the up and down motion on them.
Language Notes
AKA Churn Beaters, Twirl Whisk, Coil Whips
Sometimes confusingly called in English a “French Whisk.” The French call this whisk a “fouet à spirale.”
Coil whisk. Darekm135 / wikimedia / 2011 / CC BY-SA 3.0
