Types of Dough Scrapers
Dough scrapers are a must-have tool for any baker or pastry chef. These versatile tools are used for a variety of tasks, such as cutting and portioning dough, scraping dough off work surfaces, and even cleaning up after baking. There are several different types of dough scrapers available, each with its own unique features and uses.
Bench Scrapers
Bench scrapers, also known as dough cutters or pastry scrapers, are the most common type of dough scraper. They are typically made of stainless steel or plastic and have a wide, flat blade with a handle on one end. Bench scrapers are great for cutting and portioning dough, as well as scraping dough off work surfaces. They can also be used to transfer chopped vegetables or other ingredients from a cutting board to a pan. Bench scrapers are easy to clean and can last a long time if cared for properly.
Bowl Scrapers
Bowl scrapers, as the name suggests, are designed specifically for scraping dough out of mixing bowls. They are typically made of flexible plastic and have a curved shape that fits perfectly against the contours of a bowl. Bowl scrapers are great for getting every last bit of dough out of a bowl, which helps reduce waste. They are also useful for mixing ingredients in a bowl, as the curved shape allows for easy blending and folding. Bowl scrapers are easy to clean and are dishwasher safe in most cases.
Pizza Cutters
While not technically a dough scraper, pizza cutters can also be used for portioning dough and cutting it into specific shapes. Pizza cutters are typically made of stainless steel and have a sharp, circular blade that rolls across the dough to create clean cuts. They are great for cutting pizza dough into slices, as well as for creating even portions of dough for bread rolls or other baked goods. Pizza cutters are also useful for cutting laminated dough, such as puff pastry or croissant dough. Like bench scrapers, pizza cutters are easy to clean and are built to last.
Flexible Scrapers
Flexible scrapers, also known as bowl scrapers or dough knives, are made of a flexible material, such as silicone or rubber. They have a flat, flexible blade that is perfect for scraping dough off work surfaces or folding dough during the bread-making process. Flexible scrapers are great for shaping and smoothing dough, as well as for cleaning up sticky messes. They are also useful for transferring dough from one location to another, as the flexible blade allows for easy release. Flexible scrapers are easy to clean and are safe to use on a variety of surfaces.
Multi-Purpose Scrapers
Multi-purpose scrapers are versatile tools that combine the features of different types of dough scrapers. They typically have a wide, flat blade with a curved edge on one side and a straight edge on the other. This allows for easy dough scraping and cutting, as well as portioning and smoothing. Multi-purpose scrapers are great for a wide range of baking tasks and are a popular choice among both home bakers and professionals. They are generally made of stainless steel or plastic and are easy to clean and maintain.
