A little PSA from your resident pro baker turned shopping writer: If your kitchen isn't already stocked with a bench scraper, consider this your cue to remedy that. Sure, it looks unassuming — it's just a squarish metal blade attached to a handle — but it's undoubtedly versatile. I often reach for mine when I'm slicing butter, frosting cakes or cleaning my counter; it's essentially an extension of my hand at this point. Recently, I was watching one of Jennifer Garner's cooking videos on Instagram and noticed she was using one of these to cut homemade pasta dough. Color me vindicated! This wood-handled Winco Dough Scraper is similar to the one in the video, so if you'd like to slice, scrape and clean like a celebrity (or, you know, a former pastry pro), you can add it to your cart for a mere $7 at Amazon.
Amazon
Love to cook? You'll wonder how you ever prepped a meal without this metal multitasker.
I might not make bread for a living anymore, but there are certain tools I used during my time at the bakery that have become permanent fixtures in my home kitchen, and this metal blade tops the list. I know, I know, it doesn't look like much — how many uses could it really have? Oh, let me count the ways.
Don't be misled by the word "dough" in its name. While this bench scraper — also known as a "bench knife" — certainly comes in handy when lifting and portioning out dough, it's so much more than a baker's tool. For starters, it's my go-to for removing caked-on residue, flour and food scraps from my counter when I'm cleaning up, since the blade is dull enough that it won't leave scratch marks. That said, it's sharp enough to cut through many types of vegetables, and when you're finished chopping, you can slide the scraper under the pieces to easily transport them to your pan. I also prefer it to a knife when it comes to slicing uniform cubes of cheese, thanks to its straight edge.
Want your cakes to look like they were made by a professional? I've used my bench scraper to smooth out the frosting after I've applied it for a clean finish. The more you know!
If Jennifer Garner ever needs an alias in real life, Bench Scraper could really throw people off track... (Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images)
Think I'm the only one who's obsessed with bench scrapers? Not even close — the Winco has "Garner"-ed perfect ratings from over 4,200 Amazon customers.
"I never knew what I was missing without a bench scraper — now I am very annoyed I have been cooking for as long as I have without one!" said this rueful reviewer. "It makes putting chopped veggies into a bowl or pot SO convenient and easy, without the dropping of random pieces like I used to."
"[It's] an incredibly solid, durable pastry cutter," raved a happy home cook. "I love the wooden handle, it's the perfect size for pretty much everything I use it for, it's easy to clean and the edge has remained fairly sharp after several years of frequent use. Such a useful tool to own, and I have no complaints at all; absolutely buy this thing if you do a lot of baking."
"Restaurant quality!" shared this fan. "When it showed up, it took me back to my high school/college restaurant jobs where I used these all the time: cutting pizza dough, cleaning prep tables, scraping up cut food, cleaning the griddle. I chose the wood handle because it won't get slippery/dangerous if working with oily stuff like plastic would. Very heavy-duty."
While the reviews are overwhelmingly positive, a few shoppers did have notes.
This generally pleased buyer noted that "it’s heavy-duty and does the job" but pointed out: "It loses the wood coloring a bit from going through the dishwasher."
Echoed this final reviewer. "Due to the wooden handle ... I would avoid putting it through the washer. Just hand-wash it." (This is a good rule of thumb for wooden tools in general, as the machine can cause them to warp or split.)
Amazon
Prefer easy-to-clean plastic? This one's just a buck more.
Psst: Here's another Jennifer Garner-approved gadget.
Amazon
"This cast-iron scrubber will reignite your love for your cast iron," she says in an interview with The Strategist. "It is so hard to clean, but this takes care of it in a way you didn’t know was possible. Plus, it just keeps your sponge from getting gross. I accidentally put one down the garbage disposal once and broke the disposal and the scrubber. I was sadder about the scrubber. That's how strongly I feel about it."
You might be thinking, "Jen, I love you — but won't a metal scraper ruin my pans?" And while that's a perfectly rational question, this tool was designed to dislodge stubborn crud without damage. Made up of mini stainless steel rings, this 4-inch square is safe to use on cast iron because both are metal. While you shouldn't use metal utensils with nonstick pans, the same isn't true of super-durable cast iron, and the smoothness of the rings makes them less prone to harmful scratching. In fact, keeping your pans residue-free means you won't have to season them as much.
If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
