Why the Humble Bench Scraper Is My Secret Weapon in the Kitchen

We want to introduce a remarkable kitchen tool to you: the bench scraper! We know it will instantly improve your cooking flow and at-home-chef skills. It may seem like a very simple gadget, but we have plenty of ideas for how you can make it work for you.

Bench scrapers: Why do we love them?

Buying a bench scraper is one of the quickest, simplest upgrades you’ll make in your kitchen... You’re going to love adding this tool to your kit, not only because it’s super accessible, but it will save you lots of time. There’s no user manual needed for a bench scraper, it simply works as an extension of your hands.

Think of it as a supporting tool that is a mix between a blade and your hands. Once you get one, it will be a kitchen staple for life.

3 ways a bench scraper will change your life:

1. Easily transport any ingredient from your cutting board

Move piles of freshly chopped ingredients from chopping board to pan, without leaving anything behind!

2. Perfect cuts on dough every time

Easily chop any dough into perfect pieces, or any soft ingredient for that matter.

3. Clean up in a snap

Truly clean kitchen surfaces are everyday scenes in a kitchen with a scraper. No leftover dough or sticky bits on the counter here.

Types of scrapers

Silicone dough scrapers, also known as bowl scrapers, are firm but flexible. You can clean your bowl to get every scrap of food or dough left at the bottom with them.

Metal bench scrapers are great for cleaning up surfaces, especially if you like to bake often. There are so many styles to choose from as well, with metal handles or wooden.

How to use a bench scraper: 4 ways

- Incorporate the scraper into what you need. Use it like a knife if you are portioning dough, or mix in ingredients. Whether it's bread or cake, your dough will turn out great!

- Swipe your chopped up veggies, fruits or herbs to the scraper and let it carry them to your pan or oven tray.

- Clean up your surfaces using your scraper to pile up your scraps and keep your work space clear.

- If you make a cake with a lot of frosting, a bench scraper is handy to shape it neatly for you.

What can I use instead?

A very wide knife with a dull blade should get the work done. However, a bench scraper itself is more versatile than that and has more uses. It's safer than a knife to scoop up ingredients too.

Overall if you‘re looking for a kitchen gadget that is very accessible, inexpensive, and brings so much to the table, a bench scraper is your next best friend.

The bench scraper really shone through for us in these recipes:

Do you already own a bench scraper? Do you think we should all have one in the kitchen? Let us know in the comments!