Buying guide for Best rolling pins
Whether you’re a veteran or new to the world of baking, a rolling pin is an essential tool if you plan to make pastries, pies, samosas, and other yummy baked goods. Even if you only bake on rare occasions, a rolling pin is a useful and versatile kitchen gadget to own. It sure beats using a wine bottle to roll out your pizza dough!
The ideal rolling pin should roll smoothly, be sturdy enough to hold up to regular use, and be easy to store. How to find the right one for you? At BestReviews, we can help.
Types of rolling pins
Embossed
These ornate rolling pins have designs laser-cut right into the wooden cylinder.
These pins produce baked goods with gorgeously detailed patterns and are also a lovely item for the baking-obsessed to have on display.
An embossed rolling pin makes a wonderful gift for the baker in your life.
Traditional
A traditional rolling pin usually features an independently moving cylindrical center and two handles. (Some traditional pins lack handles, but they shouldn’t be confused with the French-style rolling pins described below.) Wood is the most common rolling pin material, but there are models made from other materials, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. For example, rolling pins made of marble or metal can be chilled for rolling out buttery dough. Marble is heavier than wood, which adds pressure when rolling but can make the rolling pin challenging to handle otherwise.
Pros:
Cons:
Expert TIp
Use an embossed rolling pin on sugar cookie dough and cut out large round cookies to bake elevated holiday gifts.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert
French style
French-style rolling pins feature a tapered cylinder (the ends are narrower than the middle) without handles.
Pros:
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More control
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No handles to get in the way
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Light
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Easy to maneuver
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Excellent for precision tasks
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Suitable for delicate doughs
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Better for smaller hands
Cons:
Our research and experience indicate that heavy rolling pins are great for getting a consistent dough thickness without too much effort.
Some of the most convenient rolling pins we review have measurements right on the body to help you get the precise size and shape you need.
We consider rolling pins made from a variety of materials including stainless steel, which resists corrosion and is especially easy to clean.
In our research of rolling pins, we’ve found that some of the best choices are simple wooden models with fixed handles.
Bonus points go to rolling pins made from heavy stone or metal because you can chill them before use to significantly reduce sticking.
When investigating a rolling pin for possible recommendation, we find out whether it is dishwasher safe or must be cleaned by hand.
We have found some great high-end rolling pins without handles, which are often preferred by experienced bakers because they offer a bit more control.
Commercial-grade rolling pins can cost more than $60, but we’ve also discovered some cost-effective options priced below $20.
Our search for the best rolling pins has turned up models with novel features like removable space rings that ensure a consistent thickness.
When investigating the best rolling pins, we’ve found that a 14- or 15-inch model works well for most common home kitchen tasks.
Rolling pin features to consider
Material
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Wood: Durable and reliable, wood is the most common rolling pin material. Premium hardwoods, such as cherry or walnut, fetch a higher price but will last for years.
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Marble: Marble rolling pins can be chilled prior to use to make rolling some doughs easier. But these pins are heavy and can be tough to maneuver for more delicate tasks. Marble is also expensive and chips easily.
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Steel and Glass: Like marble, steel and glass rolling pins can be chilled. Flour won’t adhere to these types of rolling pins, and they’re easy to clean. Glass rolling pins are more delicate, however, and prone to shattering.
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Silicone: This material is inexpensive and easy to clean, but dough tends to stick to it.
Expert Tip
Set your rolling pin on a folded kitchen towel while using it to keep it from rolling off your work surface.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert
Size
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Diameter: For most household bakers, a rolling pin with a diameter of two or two and one-half inches should suffice. Larger rolling pins are meant for professional use.
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Length: Rolling pin lengths range from ten inches to 18 inches.The barrel length depends on the dimensions of the dough you want to work with. For most tasks, 15 to 16 inches should work fine. A longer rolling pin will work better for pizza dough.
Weight
A heavier rolling pin means you won’t need to press as hard as you roll out the dough, but lighter pins are easier to maneuver. A weight somewhere in the middle is ideal for most users. If you’re a prolific baker, you might want to keep a variety of rolling pins of different weights on hand.
Staff Tip
Chilling the rolling pin makes it easier to work buttery dough in warm temperatures.
STAFF
BestReviews
Rolling pins aren’t just for baking
A rolling pin is a versatile household tool that has a variety of uses in a pinch. You don’t need to be a baker to find a way to use this kitchen gadget.
Massager
If you don’t have a foam roller on hand to ease tight muscles, a rolling pin works wonders as a massager. A rolling pin with handles gives you extra control over the pressure, so you can really get those knots out.
Crusher
If you don’t have a mortar and pestle, you can use your rolling pin to crush spices, crackers, and other ingredients.
Meat tenderizer
If you don’t have a mallet, a rolling pin works well as a substitute for tenderizing tough cuts of meat or flattening chicken breasts.
Pizza and pasta maker
Not everyone can expertly toss pizza dough, but you can use a rolling pin to make the dough as thin or thick as you like. You may not have a pasta maker either, but a rolling pin makes a good substitute.
Décor
Some rolling pins are too pretty to store in a drawer. Display an embossed rolling pin in your kitchen, or hang a simple cylindrical pin in your craft room to store rolls of washi tape or ribbon.
Expert Tip
Store your rolling pin in a drawer to keep it dust-free.
BestReviews Cooking and Baking Expert
Rolling pin prices
What a rolling pin is made of largely determines its price, but you don’t need to break the bank to find one that’s good quality. There are plenty of options available from $13 to more than $60.
You can find inexpensive silicone, steel, and wooden rolling pins with handles. Rolling pins made of marble or higher-quality hardwoods like walnut are more expensive.
Embossed rolling pins are less versatile and can be more expensive because of the attention to detail and craftsmanship involved in their creation.
Expect to pay the most for large and professional-grade rolling pins.
FAQ
Q. How can I keep dough from sticking to my rolling pin?
A. Keep extra flour on hand when rolling out dough. Regularly dusting the pin and work surface with flour helps keep stickiness at bay. If you dust with flour and your dough continues to stick, the dough may be too wet.
Q. Can I put my rolling pin in the dishwasher?
A. Wooden rolling pins should never be run through the dishwasher. As with any wooden utensil, moisture spells bad news, and it can ruin your baking tool. Some non-wooden pins can go in the dishwasher, but first check the manufacturer’s guidelines to be sure it’s safe.
Q. Is there a foolproof technique for rolling out dough?
A. Mastering the art of rolling out dough takes practice, and the technique involved depends on what you’re making. Chilled dough is easier to handle, so plan ahead and refrigerate your dough for at least an hour before working it. Always make sure to flour your work area and rolling pin to prevent sticking. Flatten out the dough with your palm before rolling it, and rotate the dough as you go to ensure you roll it out evenly. Some doughs require a little more pressure to roll out, so if you find it hard to do, consider getting a heavier rolling pin for these tasks.
Q. I don’t bake often. Can’t I just use a wine bottle to roll out dough?
A. In a pinch, a wine bottle works, but its size may not be conducive to easy handling. Wine bottles are usually larger in diameter than most rolling pins, making them harder to work with. A full wine bottle can help make the job easier, thanks to its heavier weight, but it’s also a hazard. If you drop a rolling pin, you might damage it or hurt your toe. Broken glass is a whole other story.
