A basic scraper should set you back no more than $1. If you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, I’d recommend a sturdy metal scraper with a wooden or plastic handle; I’ve seen them as low as $7.

The scraper can be used in temperatures ranging from -30°C to 80°C, said its manufacturer UK-based E-Components & Chains. The impact-resistant scraper is available in blue, yellow, green, and red.

One of my favorite tools in the kitchen is a bench scraper, also known as a bench knife. A simple thing, really, it’s nothing more than a flat piece of metal or plastic, sometimes with a handy ...