You May Be Using the Wrong Rolling Pin
Some people dream of having a closet full of sneakers, but if I had the space, I would have a huge collection of rolling pins. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials, and each has its own uses. Some of them can function universally, while others are more specialized. Even if you don’t have ambitions of having a rolling pin display at home, it’s still worth choosing the right tool for the job, so here’s a quick overview of all types of rolling pins and their common uses.
Straight dowel-rolling pin
This rolling pin is perhaps the simplest of all. A straight dowel does not have any bells and whistles, such as handles or a hollow barrel; it’s just a smooth straight cylinder. This type of pin is a great all-purpose pin, ideal for pie crusts, cookies, or pita dough. Straight pins can be made of wood, plastic or marble.
Straight pins provide a straight line, but you still have to use control. If you don’t have a thickness guide on your pin, you’ll have to keep an eye on the thickness of the dough and make sure you don’t put too much pressure on one end because it can be difficult to correct wobbly dough with this type of pin. A straight pin does not have handles, so if you have wrist discomfort or limited mobility, you may want to consider using a pin with handles.
Rolling pin with handles
I like pins with handles. It just makes sense to me. Would you rather tap, tap, or bang your knuckles on the tabletop or keep them out of the way? (I’d like to keep those fingers intact.) Also, if you do have carpal tunnel or other discomfort in your hands, the handles will help keep the pain to a minimum.
There are two types of pin handles: fixed and free. Good fixed handle pins are made from a single piece of wood, so the wood is cut into handles at the ends. If you come across a fixed handle pin where the handles are glued, be careful. A lot of pressure will be put on this joint and it may break. But just as broken escalators turn into staircases, rolling pins with broken handles simply turn into straight locating pins.
Free-rotating knobs are where the knobs are inserted into a pin and can rotate independently of the barrel. I think they are most comfortable for beginners and pros because you don’t have to move or change the position of your hands at all while riding.
French rolling pin
A French rolling pin, or conical rolling pin, is a single piece without handles. The trunk is thicker in the center and gradually tapers towards the ends. There are no straight sections on this pin, so you will need to move the dough frequently to ensure it rolls out evenly. This type of pin works great as an all-purpose pin for baking, pasta, cookies, and bread. Thick spots in the dough can be corrected more easily with this type of pin because it has a conical shape. Straight pins have corners on the ends, so precision corrections can leave streaks on the dough. This is the best pin for professionals or those who have already rolled out several test pieces in their time.
Embossed rolling pins
If you’ve ever seen a rolling pin with a design or pattern carved into it, you’ve come across an embossed rolling pin. These can be simple patterns or intricate images and scenes. This type of pin is typically used for soft cookie dough that retains its mark, like the German “Springerle” cookie . Please note that you should use an embossed pin after using one of the all-purpose pins listed above. When the dough is flat and slightly thicker than you want the cookies, press down the design with an embossed pin. Cut the dough and you’re done: the pre-decorated cookies are ready to bake.
Dumpling rolling pin
A 17-inch rolling pin will work for rolling out a large sheet of pasta, but in some cases, less is more. If you are rolling out small, delicate circles of dough, such as for homemade gyoza, you will need the appropriate size pin. Dumpling pins are smaller and thinner—about six to eight inches long—and the ends are rounded rather than straight. This type of pin is designed to be easily maneuvered with one hand so you can spin the dough with your other hand. You can use it to roll out any small dough dumplings, such as dumplings or empanadas.
Thin rolling pins
Small pins are good for small circles of dough, but for wide, thin circles of bread you will need a thin, long pin. This type of pin is usually made from durable wood and can be tapered or straight. The pins are only an inch in diameter and about 12 inches long. They are great for rolling out firm dough into thin, wide circles. This length allows you to hold a larger piece of dough, and the thin diameter allows you to squeeze out the dough to the thickness of paper. Use this pin to make chapati, roti or scallion pancakes.
Size matters
Most of these rolling pins have a barrel length of 12 to 19 inches and are usually one to two inches in diameter. The optimal length and width for you depends on personal preference and your needs. Personally, I find that the best pin length will place your hands roughly shoulder-width apart, as aligning your wrists with your shoulders will be more comfortable and give you more power.
Rolling pin material options
Many rolling pins are made of wood. This is the best material in my book because imperfections in the fibers allow most of the dough to pull away from the pin rather than stick. Plus, they’re damn pretty, and all that butter and butter stuck to the needle acts as a seasoning. The older my wooden rolling pin gets, the better it looks.
However, this does not mean that there are not other materials that could better suit your needs.
Marble Rolling Pins: These pins usually have a marble barrel; if there are handles, they are wooden. Marble pins stay cooler than wood pins and are touted for keeping buttered dough cold. Puff pastries, biscuits and pie doughs that require butter to remain firm for as long as possible are best prepared using a marble rolling pin.
Ceramic rolling pins. Ceramic rolling pins are often painted with bright, colorful designs and sometimes have matching holders. Honestly, I think they’re mostly meant for gifting – they have the same ‘cooling’ effect as marble (you can even toss them in the fridge to chill them even further before using them), but other than that they’re just beautiful . Hand wash them with mild soap to keep your jewelry looking its best.
Hollow rolling pins. These rolling pins are trying to work, but they may have overdone it. Hollow rolling pins have a screw-on end that can be opened and filled with ice water. This is supposed to keep the pinhead cool so you can roll out fatty dough without melting the fat. They’ve mostly fallen out of fashion because adding ice water is necessary if you don’t procrastinate.