Read our tips on how to choose the right rolling pin and more!
Rolling pins come in a big variety of materials. Plastic, silicone and wood are the most common used materials, but you can even buy one in stainless steel, marble, or glass. There are also a lot of different shapes. You have big ones and small ones, with or without handles, rotating and non-rotating, thick and thin, with motifs and without. Even custom-made rolling pins for children exist. The possibilities are endless!
The traditional wooden rolling pin was invented in 1864 by the American John W. Reed and up to the present day we still use a similar one to bake with. With this we can already state that the functionality of the wooden rolling pin has been proven! But there are more reasons why the wooden pastry roller is our favourite:
Natural and ecological
Wood is a natural renewable source and is also really ecologically friendly when the wood originates from sustainably managed forests. In those forests the forest manager selects the trees that can be cut down without having any consequences for the other plants and animals that live there. The forest manager also makes sure that not too much wood is harvested at once and that new trees are planted regularly. Like that, the resource is never exhausted and wood for the next generations is provided!
Wood: not too light, not too heavy
A wooden rolling pin weighs a little, but it is also not unbelievably heavy, as opposed to for example a marble rolling pin. Heavy rolling pins can have drawbacks; since they need to be handled with more pressure when rolling out your pastry. Silicone and plastic rolling pins on the other hand, are mostly a little lighter than a wooden variant. For some people it will not be heavy enough, but for people with joint issues these pins are more comfortable. As for wooden rolling pins, these manage to reach the right balance between not too heavy and not too light. Rolling almost goes without saying!
Easy to rinse wooden pastry roller
A rolling pin made from wood is easier to rinse than, for example, a rolling pin made from silicone. This is because a silicone rolling pin has a silicone sleeve wrapped around a plastic, wooden or stainless steel cylinder. This makes it easy for water and soap to get stuck between the cylinder and the wrap. This is not hygienic and can cause unpleasant odours after a while. A wooden pastry roller does not have different layers, making it impossible for the water to hide. Scrub your wooden rolling pin underneath warm streaming water with a brush or sponge and use a little bit of soap if necessary. It’s easy like pie!
A wooden rolling pin with rotating handles is a real classic when it comes to baking tools, hence you can find one in almost every kitchen. The rotating handles make sure that the rolling pin rolls smoothly. This can be a big help for people with joint problems, like arthritis. Of course, it’s important that your pin rolls properly. At Uulki we check every product before packing it and eliminate the faulty ones. In case your rolling pin starts rolling less smoothly after a while, try turning both handles a little out of the axle, so that they move further from the axis. If this doesn’t solve the problem, check that the handles are not skewed on the side. At Uulki we check each pastry roller in order to avoid this.
The traditional wooden rolling pin with rotating handles comes in different sizes. Thick and thin, long and short, … every baking lover will find its favourite. These rolling pins are accessible for as well hobby chefs as professional chefs.
A French rolling pin or rolling dowel mostly has a wider rolling surface than a traditional rolling pin. Because the pin consists of one piece, it manages to roll out the dough evenly. But because of the same reason, it’s also way more easy to clean than the traditional rolling pin with handles.
This rolling dowel is, thanks to its length, perfect for rolling out pizza dough. More so, this French rolling pin is perfect for rolling out all kinds of dough! But also fondant and Marzipan can be rolled out perfectly smooth. Do you dare to exchange your traditional rolling pin for this one?
All those different kinds of pastry rollers can have specific purposes. Are you only using a pin for baking pizza? Then the large French wooden rolling pin will be perfect for you. Are you a hobby baker that likes to treat your family and friends with cookies from time to time? Then the traditional wooden rolling pin will suffice. Do you want to spend some time with your children or grandchildren in the kitchen? Then opt for a small rolling pin with rotating handles specifically made for children. Is baking your passion and do you use a rolling pin almost weekly? Or are you a professional baker? In that case it is maybe better to have several different rolling pins at hand. Like that you have a rolling pin for every situation!
Do you love to share moments in the kitchen with your kids? Now they can help you bake too! The Uulki children’s rolling pin has been specially developed for small hands. It’s very lightweight pastry roller with red rotating handles. Yet it is heavy enough to roll out real dough with. But the rolling pin for children kan also be used as a toy in a play kitchen. Is you son or daughter a real kitchen prince(ss)? Then this rolling dowel might be really fun to give as a gift!
You can rinse your wooden rolling pin quickly and easily by scrubbing it with a sponge or brush underneath warm streaming water. In case the pin came into contact with grease, we recommend you to use a little bit of mild soap. Let the pin air dry after cleaning. And you’re done!
No, we strongly discourage you to put your rolling pin in the dishwasher after baking. Due to the big amount of water it would come into contact with, the wood could get dehydrated. Dehydration results in cracking and warping. Therefore, it’s better to rinse your wooden rolling pin by hand.
Wood is already a very durable and sturdy material, but with some extra love it will stay in top condition for a longer time! Treat it regularly with Uulki Wood Oil for Cutting Boards, Countertops and Kitchenware. This oil nourishes the wood deep into the pores and prevents dehydration. Do you want to protect your rolling pin even more? Apply a thin water resistant layer on the surface of your pin with Uulki Vegan Wood Wax.
The exact weight of wooden rolling pins is never the same. Everything depends on the tree, branch or trunk used, and the composition and density of the wood at the time of harvesting (eg. humidity), etc.
Every rolling pin or other product we sell undergoes a thorough check before we pack it. That also counts for the Uulki wooden rolling pins. We pay a lot of attention to the operation of the rotation system of the pin: do the handles rotate smoothly and are they aligned with the axis? We also check if the rolling pins have cracks, ruptures or holes. If this is the case, the hygiene of the pin can no longer be guaranteed, because dough easily sticks in them. Finally, we also check up on the colour and woodgrains of the rolling pins. All rolling pins with deficiencies are withdrawn from sale.
The most common cause of this is that the handles are turned too far in the axle, but it could also be due to the handles being skewed on the axis. These can happen during fabrication. At Uulki we test the operation of the rolling pin individually and withdraw the faulty ones from sale. So it is very unlikely that you will receive a defective rolling pin from us. However, it can also happen that, due to certain actions, the handles of the rolling pin are turned a bit too much in the axis. You can fix this by turning both handles in the opposite direction of each other. That way the handles are further from the axle and you can turn the handles more easily.
