A chef’s tools often define their experience in the kitchen – whether you’re whipping up a fresh batch of sourdough or experimenting with some new cookie dough for artisanal cookies. Handling large quantities of dough, however, may leave a substantial bit of it on your countertop.
Additionally, you may have to eyeball the amounts of dough that you’ll have to section to allow for baking. While achieving the perfect crust for your pizza, for instance, you may have to divide your dough in equal proportions – while also sectioning your pizza once it has been baked.
However, for all of these considerations, you can simply use a single, utilitarian kitchen tool – a bench scraper. Here, you can get to know everything that a bench scraper can help you within the kitchen – and once you’ve made your mind upon investing in one, you can choose the best bench scraper for you from the comprehensive list below!
What is a Bench Scraper?
A bench scraper is a handy kitchen tool that most amateur or professional bakers and chefs prefer to have around their kitchen for a variety of purposes. The shape of a bench scraper is rectangular, a handle affixed to it on top where it is usually held from.
The other end of the bench scraper is a sharper material – not as much as a common kitchen knife, but definitely sharp enough to cut through dough of any consistency. This sharper material is usually made out of stainless steel, while the handle is made of a variety of materials – such as wood, silicone, plastic, and even rubber.
What can a Bench Scraper be used for Additionally?
As mentioned before, a dough scraper can be used for various purposes except for what it’s primarily designed for. While the primary function of a bench scraper (also known as a dough scraper, pastry scraper, or even a bench knife) might be scraping dough off from your workspace while you’re handling it in order to seamlessly clean your workspace, it may be used for other purposes as well.
Cutting dough and dividing it into equal sections is made possible by bench scrapers that embossed measurements on it – while also allowing you to chop some vegetables easily, transfer foods efficiently, and even section pie crusts.
10 Best Bench Scrapers / Dough Cutters to Buy in 2021
1. Chef’n Pastrio 3-in-1 Bench Scraper Set
This set of bench scrapers offered by Chef’n Pastrio is a great option for those who want to experiment with bowl scrapers in a variety of materials. From silicon to stainless steel, you can get the best of both worlds in terms of your bowl scraper.
The material for all 3 in 1 bench scrapers is quite rigid and does not deform according to the shape of the bowl – making them incredibly sturdy and durable. Despite not moulding to the bowl, they can scrape all sides of the bowl efficiently.
They also display proportion markings on each bowl scraper, making it easier for you to tell exactly how much dough you’re handling. Almost all users of the Chef’n Pastrio bench scrapers set dub it a must-have for all individuals who spend most of their time handling bread for baking purposes.
The most attractive feature of this product is definitely the way all three bench scrapers stack onto each other, making them spatially efficient in the kitchen as well as visually appealing.
PROS —
- Three sizes of dough scrapers in one
- Easily stack on top of each other
- Can be cleaned in the dishwasher
CONS —
- Users find it difficult in removing each individual dough scraper once stacked
2. Chef Pomodoro Multi-Purpose Bench Scraper & Pizza Dough Cutter
For those who prefer metal bench scrapers, this product might actually be the best bet. This multipurpose bench scraper offered by Chef Pomodoro is a godsend for those looking for acute measurements in terms of their ingredients while cooking and baking. This bench scraper allows you to measure even exact millimeters on it.
The grip of this bench scraper is contoured – so say goodbye to sore hands while you’re handling your dough or sectioning off portions of your food or even chopping some vegetables since you can do all of these functions and more with the help of this bench scraper from Chef Pomodoro.Â
Added with a simplistic design and a sleek, stainless steel finish, this makes for a great bench scraper for those who are new to use bench scrapers.
PROS —
- Handle is contoured to allow for easy-grip
- Extremely sturdy and durable
CONS —
- Edge of the blade might be on the rougher side and requires smoothening
3. OXO Stainless Steel Good Grips Multi-Purpose Scraper & Chopper
A particularly easy-to-clean bench scraper from OXO, this is yet another product that serves various purposes in the kitchen – especially if you find yourself cooking and baking a lot. Whether you’re sectioning crusts or portions for food or transferring it, or cutting your dough up by dividing it in exact proportions, this bench scraper from OXO can help you through all of these processes.
While the measurement markings on this bench scraper might not be as exact as the other products on this list of best dough scraper, it is still equipped with quarter-inch markings that cover most dough proportions for cooking.
Additionally, the handle of this dough cutter scraper is a delight to use as well – contoured exactly to your hand; you won’t have to worry about losing your grip and accidentally causing a mishap with your bench scraper. However, some users have reported observing rust on their stainless steel after extensive use, so it would be best to keep an eye out to avoid this happening.
PROS —
- Quarter-inch measurements on the calibrated blade
- Can be used in the dishwasher
- Easy to grip the handle
CONS —
- The end of the blade might not be ideal for chopping
4. Anmarko Stainless Steel Metal Bench Scraper
This bench scraper from Anmarko has impressed most of its buyers, and it’s clear as to why. Providing great value for its price, Anmarko’s bench scraper is yet another stainless steel blade that seamlessly and neatly cuts through all consistencies of dough – useful if you’re considering getting a bench scraper mostly to make pizza.
Cookie dough and salad are foods that can be greatly facilitated just by using the Anmarko bench scraper. A unique feature (and perhaps why it’s so popular among those who need bench scrapers)
is a comprehensive measuring chart on the back of the blade that provides a detailed account of all measuring equivalents – so you never have to pause to convert your measurements ever again. Additionally, it also serves well as an accessory for your griddle grill, making it a great investment among grill owners.
PROS —
- Can be used as a griddle scraper
- Can be cleaned in the dishwasher
CONS —
- The stainless steel end is prone to bending
5. Alltop Stainless Steel Bench Scraper and Dough Cutter
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If you’re someone who works with flat top cooking a lot, then getting a best dough scraper is a bit of a no-brainer. This stainless steel bench scraper from Alltop promises you amazing quality – as well as a greater quantity for the same price, making it exponentially cheaper than all other kitchen scrapers on this list.
The handle brings extreme convenience to the cooking and baking experience as well, being made out of a rubber grip that allows you to firmly handle your bread scraper without worrying about possible risks.
Now, you can transfer your food between surfaces with ease and section off portions of your food according to your needs. Additionally, this product is also equipped with a comprehensive measuring guide – a great tool for those who prefer to use exact ingredients in their cooking. For users requiring the best scraper for cakes, this product is one of the steadiest and most durable bench scrapers out there.Â
PROS —
- Rubber grip handle for convenient handling
- Measuring guide and conversion table on one end of the blade
CONS —
- Somewhat heavier than expected
6. Leonyo Commercial Stainless Steel Bench Dough Scraper
As said by users of the product, this is an excellent metal dough scraper for those who frequently find themselves handling dough – whether for pizzas, pies, or even some cinnamon rolls.
There’s little to complain about with a set of three products included in this set by Leonyo. Providing the user with two dough scrapers and a basting brush, this set by Leonyo fulfills most of your baking needs with one purchase. The blades of the dough scrapers themselves are made of stainless steel while rendering them completely dishwasher safe at the same time – making them convenient to use and clean.
The handle of the dough scraper is made of shatter-proof plastic, adding durability to the bench scraper. The L-shaped design of the handle, with the blade at a size of 6 x 3 inches, makes it a handy investment that facilitates the kitchen experience immensely. The basting brush is made with silicone, which withstands high temperatures that allow you to brush all your foods with ease.
PROS —
- Comes with a basting brush
- Measurement accurate up to centimetres
CONS —
- None so far
7. Spring Stainless Steel Chef Bench Scraper
This combination of a dough cutter scraper as well as a bowl scraper from Spring Chef offers you the best of both worlds. Users of this product guarantee that you’ll not be needing a spatula to get the dough out of the curve of your bowl when you have this bowl scraper with you.
Similarly, the bench scraper has up to six inches markings on it, allowing you to easily measure your dough. Additionally, the blade of the bench scraper is purely stainless steel and is sharp enough to cut through even refrigerated dough with ease.
In addition, the bowl scraper has a handy set of measurements and conversions on it that allows you to reference proportions for your baking or cooking needs without having to look them up. With their range of colors to choose from, this is an excellent purchase for first-time buyers of bench scrapers.
PROS —
- Comes with a bowl scraper, with a conversion table on it
- Bench scraper blade has measurement markings
CONS —
- Bench scraper blade might not be as sharp as desired
8. Lamson Stainless Steel Dough Scraper with Riveted Walnut Handle
This bread scraper by Lamson might be one of the pricier products on this list of best bench scraper, but it promises the finest quality for your investment. While the blade is made out of high-carbon stainless steel, the most notable quality of this dough scraper is definitely the handle.
With an oiled walnut handle, this dough cutter scraper is transformed from an ordinary kitchen tool to a luxurious must-have in any kitchen. To complete the look, the handle is fixed with brass rivets that affix the handle to the blade.
Hence, it is easy to see why this dough scraper might be somewhat more heavily priced than the other bench scrapers mentioned here. Some users have noted the walnut handle seems to be too abrasive – however, this concern can easily be addressed by using olive oil to treat it regularly.
PROS —
- Walnut handle provides it greater durability
- Bench scraper blade is constructed with high-carbon stainless steel
CONS —
- Might be on the pricier end
9. GINKGO Stainless Steel Dough Scraper
Another 6-inch dough scraper on the list, this bread scraper is especially favorable for those looking for bright aesthetics and a comfortable handle. While the blade of this bread scraper is stainless steel as well, it features measurement calibrations on either side that make it extremely easy for the user to section dough in exact proportions.
With the blade being made out of stainless steel, there’s no way you will see rust on your blade anytime soon. This, coupled with strength in terms of minimal bending, gives it an edge over similarly-priced dough scrapers available.
Lastly, the most notable feature of this dough scraper is the handle – significantly larger than the handles of other dough scrapers on this list; it’s extremely easy to grip and ensures minimal slipping.
PROS —
- Comes with inches and centimetres measurements
- Can be cleaned in the dishwasher
CONS —
- None so far
10. SHEBaking 2 Pc Silicone Pastry Bench Dough Bowl Scraper
Lastly, we have the most unique-looking product on the list of best dough scraper by SHEBaking – a 2 piece set of bench scrapers. While you have the provision to get yourself individual dough scrapers, getting them in a set means twice the scraping and almost half the price.
Available in attractive colors of red and purple, these bench scrapers are unique in that they’re entirely made of food-grade silicone. This renders your food safe while also ensuring you’re able to scrape dough from all surfaces – whether flat or curved – with the help of their differently-angled ends.
The sizes of this dough cutter scraper are also optimum for a comfortable grip, so you don’t have to worry about them sliding away frequently.
PROS —
- Made from silicone to allow for easy flexibility
- Can scrape dough off flat surfaces as well as bowls from either end
CONS —
- Might not hold up in terms of chopping due to flexible body
Factors to Consider While Buying The Best Pizza Dough Cutter Scrapers
1. Blade Material
An important factor to keep in mind (and perhaps the most important, if you’re planning to use your dough scraper often) is using the material for the blade of your kitchen scrapers that is most suited for your purposes.
The two most popular materials used for blades of bench scrapers are plastic and metal, with almost every other metal dough scraper having a metal blade. In terms of metal bench scraper blades, however, it is important to go for one that is made out of stainless steel. Otherwise, you can expect your bench scraper to start rusting quickly.
2. Convenient Handle
The handle of the metal dough scraper also needs to be one that you would use for long periods without it potentially making your hands sore.
Ensure that the handle of your bench scraper is convenient – since some materials for the handle are naturally predisposed to be more comfortable to use than others. For instance, a handle made of rubber or coating with plastic may be more comfortable to use than a wooden or metal one, owing to the malleability of the former.
3. Calibrated Blade
With the recent bench scrapers available for purchase, the most commonly noticeable trend is the presence of a calibrated blade in place of a plain, stainless steel one. In other words, a calibrated blade offers you measurements that allow you to easily proportion your dough and then divide it accordingly.
Other bench scrapers include a conversion chart as well, but these are rarer to find. The measurements in the calibrated blade might differ, from quarter-inch measurements to millimeter-based measurements.
4. Food-Grade Compliance
Another important consideration to make when you’re getting the best scraper for cakes is whether or not all the materials used in it display food-grade compliance.
This invariably means that according to the FDA, all the materials that come into contact with your ingredients should be rendered completely safe. This rules out the possibility of metals leaching into the food at high temperatures. Additionally, if plastic is used in your kitchen scrapers, it should be completely BPA-free as well.
5. Cleaning
Lastly, the one component of owning a bench scraper that worries most users – the cleaning process. Since a bench scraper is primarily used to clean up all sorts of messes in the kitchen, especially pertaining to particularly stubborn patches of dough on your workspace, it can be difficult to clean up this handy kitchen tool itself.
However, while a few bench scrapers require manual cleaning, most kitchen scrapers are completely safe to be cleaned in the dishwasher. Hence, it is best to look out for bench scrapers that can be popped into the dishwasher.
Why Should You Invest in Pizza Dough Cutter/Scraper?
Now that you know how you can pick out the best bench scraper, also known as a metal dough scraper, for yourself, it is time to know why you should invest in one at all. As seen before, other than its primary designated purpose, a bench scraper can be used in a myriad of ways.
Whether scraping foods off your counter, dividing and sectioning dough, transferring foods from one container to the other, as well as chopping some vegetables – there’s a lot that can be done with a metal dough scraper. Additionally, the cost-benefits of owning one might exceed your expectations, considering how inexpensive it is to get one!
Conclusion
If you’re still on the fence about getting your very own bench scraper to grace your kitchen since you’re unsure of what utility it might have in your kitchen, then you’re in luck – especially since owning a bench scraper does not have to come at a steep cost.
Users of bench scrapers have reported that while they previously had no idea as to how to incorporate a bench scraper in their kitchen, it later became an indispensable part of their cooking and baking processes. To pick the best dough scraper for you, look through the list above to get one that’s most suited for your needs!