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Bench scrapers are rectangular implements that are usually made of metal with a plastic handle at the top. These are also known as dough scrapers, pastry scrapers, bench knives and bakers knives.

They are primarily used when making bread and pastry and are used to scoop the dough up off the work surface or the sides of the bowl.

They can be used to chop food and portion dough and they are also incredibly useful for picking up finely chopped herbs and other food items from the chopping board.

Best dough and bench scrapers

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Many bakers swear by their bench scraper and use it all the time. If you can’t bear pastry and dough sticking to your work surface, a bench scraper is a worthwhile purchase. 

We have rounded up the top 5 bench scrapers on the market for you and compiled a handy buyers guide so you know what to consider before purchasing. We have also included a handy FAQ section at the end.

In a hurry?

If you’re in a rush, our top pick is the Chef’n Pastrio 3-in-1 Bench Scraper Set. 

For only $9.99 you get a stainless steel bench scraper, a BPA-free plastic bench scraper and a BPA-free bowl scraper, making the set suitable for use on all surfaces. 

The set stacks together for easy storage and the sleek design makes it a perfect addition to any kitchen set!

Top Picks for Best Doug and Bench Scrapers

Chef’n Pastrio 3-in-1 Bench Scraper Set, Red

Chef'n Pastrio Set Bench Chopper, Includes Stainless Steel and Plastic Scrapers, Red

The Chef’n Pastrio 3-in-1 Bench Scraper Set is our favourite as it gives the most value for money of any bench scraper. The price of $9.99 is fairly average for bench scrapers on their own, so this truly is a great deal!

The set measures 8.27 x 7.28 x 1.18 inches and weighs 8.3oz. The stainless steel bench scraper is entirely steel, with a curved section at the top to create an easy-grip handle. 

The scraper has a blade at the edge for easy cutting, and it features inch measurements along the long edge. These are broken up into 8 sections for added accuracy. 

The set comes with a hard BPA-free plastic bench scraper for use on non-stick surfaces and silpats. There is also a curved bowl scraper, also made from BPA-free plastic to help get all of your dough out onto the work surface.

The set is dishwasher safe.

PROS:

  • Inexpensive
  • Set of 3
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Made of stainless steel

CONS:

  • Only inch measurements

ProDough Pastry Scraper/ Cutter/ Chopper

Pro Dough Pastry Scraper/Cutter/Chopper Stainless Steel Mirror Polished with Measuring Scale Multipurpose- Cake, Pizza Cutter - Pastry Bread Separator Scale Knife (1)

The ProDough Pastry Scraper/ Cutter/ Chopper is the cheapest of our picks at only $5.99 on Amazon. The scraper measures 6.69 x 7.09 x 1.18 inches. It is very lightweight at only 5.6oz.

The bench scraper is made from 430 stainless steel. This steel has good corrosion resistance and is very ductile, so does not lose hardness when it is reformed. It is also non-toxic and rustproof. 

The long edge of the bench scraper has both cm and inch measurements, split up into mm and â…› inch sections too for increased accuracy. It has a square edge rather than a blade, meaning that it may not cut easily through hard substances. 

The handle is made from the top curved section of the blade, rolled into a cylindrical shape.

The bench scraper is dishwasher safe.

PROS:

  • Very cheap
  • Cm and inch measurements
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Made from stainless steel

CONS:

  • Square edge rather than a blade

Spring Chef Pastry Scraper/ Bench Scraper Chopper

Spring Chef Bench Scraper - Stainless Steel Dough Cutter Tool with Bowl Pastry Scraper for Pizza, Bread, Cake - Bench Knife - Kitchen Dough Scraper for Baking - Food Scraper with Markings - Black

The Spring Chef Pastry Scraper/ Bench Scraper Chopper is one of the more expensive of our picks at $11.97. The scraper measures 7.6 x .2 x 1.18 inches and weighs 8.2oz.

The bench scraper is made of a sharp stainless steel blade and a hard plastic handle. The blade has 1-inch measurements along the edge, broken up into â…› inch sections.

The scraper can handle chopping soft fruits, cakes and dough. It also serves as a scraper to scoop up herbs and crumbs from worksurfaces. It is also sturdy enough to cut through chilled pastry dough. It also unsticks dough and can help to scrape clean rolling pins.  

The Spring Chef scraper comes with an additional silicone bowl scraper to help you on your baking journey. The bench scraper has a measurement conversion chart printed on so you can feel confident using any recipe. 

The products are dishwasher safe and come with a lifetime warranty.

PROS:

  • Lifetime warranty
  • Made of stainless steel
  • A sharp blade on the scraper
  • Includes silicone bowl scraper

CONS:

  • One of the more expensive of our picks
  • Hard plastic handle
  • Inch measurements only

Amazon Basics Bowl Scraper/ Chopper

Amazon Basics Multi-Purpose Stainless Steel Scraper/Chopper with Contoured Grip, 6-Inch, Silver, Black

The Amazon Basics Bowl Scraper/ Chopper is midrange in terms of price, at $9.89. The scraper measures 6.1 x 4.33 x 1.26 inches and weighs only 5.8oz.

The blade has a square edge and is made of stainless steel. The thick handle is made from contoured, non-slip plastic for added safety. The handle is significantly raised above the edge of the blade to ensure you get the proper leverage when chopping.

It can handle a variety of tasks from chopping to scraping to portioning cooked foods. The wide, flat surface area means that it is effective in scooping up sections of dough or moving chopped ingredients. 

The blade has 1-inch measurements with ¼ inch increments marked too. The Spring Chef scraper is dishwasher safe and comes with an Amazon Basics limited 1-year warranty.

PROS:

  • Non-slip plastic handle
  • Stainless steel blade
  • 1-year warranty

CONS:

  • Square edge, not a blade

Rachael Ray Cucina Tools and Gadgets Bench Scrape, Agave Blue

Rachael Ray Cucina Tools & Gadgets Bench Scrape, Agave Blue -

The Rachael Ray Cucina Tools and Gadgets Bench Scrape is our last pick as it is the most expensive but most basic of our choices. The colour of the handle is beautiful, but the scraper is expensive at $13.20. 

The scraper is 6.5 x 6.25 x 1.25 inches and weighs 7.2oz.  It is made of stainless steel with a comfortable silicone handle, suitable for both right and left-handed people. The handle is ribbed to ensure a good grip while cutting. 

The blade has a slanted edge for sharpness, but there are no measurements marked onto it. The scraper is dishwasher safe.

PROS:

  • Made of stainless steel
  • Silicone handle

CONS:

  • No measurements on the blade
  • Most expensive of our picks

Best Dough and Bench Scrapers Buying Guide

Size 

Most bench scrapers are around 6 inches long and between 3-4 inches tall. There are other sizes, but this is the standard.

It is worth considering what you are going to use the bench scraper for, as you may need a larger one if you are to use it for loaves of bread for example. 

If you have small hands or are buying one to use with kids, it is worth looking at bench scrapers on the smaller size as these will be easier to use. 

Material

Bench and dough scrapers come in a variety of materials, but the most common are stainless steel and plastic. 

The stainless steel bench and dough scrapers are much more hardwearing and durable than plastic. They can handle tougher, stickier dough and are less likely to bend or buckle under pressure.

Plastic or silicone bench scrapers are more flexible and will help you to clean out bowls as well as your work surface. These will also not scratch your work surfaces or non-stick baking equipment. 

You can use bench and dough scrapers to help you mix and incorporate ingredients. 

Blade

Bench scrapers come with blades of varying sharpness. The sharper blades make the scraper multi-functional as they can be used for chopping foods too. As you move towards sharper blades, you run the risk of damaging the surface you are using it on.

Blades also come in a variety of thicknesses, making the blade more resistant to bending. Thicker blades are stronger and will be able to withstand more pressure. 

The blade edges can be either round, bevelled or sharp. The rounder blades are less likely to damage your work surfaces, but may not be able to chop as effectively.  

Handle

These tend to be made from either plastic or wood, and both are hugely effective. Some stainless steel bench scrapers will just have the steel at the top turned over itself to form a handle. The handles can also be made of rubber or silicone. 

There is not really a material that is better than the others in terms of durability, as if they are made properly both will last well. This issue comes down mostly to personal preference and which handle you prefer to hold. 

Some handles come with a non-stick grip to improve the safety of the device. 

Price

A bench or dough scraper is not a huge investment and likely will not set you back a considerable amount of money. 

As with any purchase, there are higher and lower-cost options and it is worth looking at the range of choices before purchasing. Slightly more expensive options are likely to be made with more durable and strong materials and may last a little longer. 

Measurements

Some bench scrapers come with measurement marks engraved or marked on the flat edge. These are ideal for splitting dough into even pieces, for example, if you are making a batch of bread rolls. 

These marks are printed or engraved onto the bottom of the blade, making it easy to portion out the dough. Ensure the ink used is of a high quality so that it doesn’t come off onto the food. 

It is also wise to consider what measurements you will need. Increments of between 1mm – 1 inch can be found, and you should consider which will be most suitable for your needs.

Sharpness

One of the functions of bench scrapers is cutting dough. If you are looking to get a bench scraper with this as a primary function, it is wise to look for a scraper with a sharp edge.

Some edges are even sharp enough to be used in place of a knife.

Cleaning

Flour is a pain to clean off work surfaces and cooking equipment, therefore it would be wise to get a bench scraper that is dishwasher safe.

Most will be, but it is worth double-checking if you are prone to just throwing items in the dishwasher.

Warranty

Even though a bench scraper is an inexpensive purchase, it is nice to know that you are protected in the event that it does break soon after purchase.

Most reputable manufacturers will offer a warranty period of some description so that you can rest assured you are not just throwing money away.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I use if I don’t have a bench scraper?

If you do not have a bench scraper, you can use a palette knife or flat metal spatula to clean your work surface. Bench scrapers simply provide a larger surface arena but work on the same principle as a palette knife.

You can also put parchment paper on your work surface before rolling out your dough, as this will help it stick to the surface less. For an even safer option, flour the parchment paper too.

What else can I use a pastry scraper for?

They are massively versatile devices. Bench scrapers can be used for a variety of purposes, such as mixing, cutting and scraping. You can also use a bench scraper to slice and serve portions of traybake foods such as lasagne and brownies. 

They are also hugely useful when decorating big cakes, as the flat edge is the perfect tool for smoothing frosting around the sides of the cake.

Is a bench scraper necessary?

A bench scraper is not a necessity, but if you do a lot of baking or bread-making it is a good investment. 

Bench scrapers will help you effectively clean your work surface of dough, but you can get virtually the same results with a palette knife or fish slice. 

What is the difference between a bench scraper and a bowl scraper?

A bench scraper is usually rectangular and made of rigid substances, such as stainless steel or hard plastic. They are designed for use on flat surfaces, such as a worktop.

A bowl scraper has a curved edge and tends to be made of more flexible plastic or silicone. These usually don’t have handles and are designed to help you clean out your bowl. 

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