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Seasoned bakers know that a trusty bench scraper is the unsung hero of their kitchen. A versatile little tool, Meggan uses the best bench scrapers to efficiently slice and portion homemade crescent rolls and pizza dough, clean up her workspace and even chop up veggies. “A bench scraper just makes things easier,” Meggan says. Although it might seem like a basic kitchen tool, not all dough scrapers are equal, so we researched the best bench scrapers on the market.
Meggan relies on the OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Scraper, but we also found a couple of unbeatable options that will fit your kitchen and baking needs. During our research, Meggan and I considered things like the materials, size, and technical features top of mind. With any of these dough cutter tools, forming perfectly uniform loaves of Marble Rye Bread or pillowy gnocchi will be a breeze — and you’ll probably wonder why you went so long without owning a bench scraper!
Table of Contents
Our Top Picks
- What’s in Meggan’s Kitchen: OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Scraper — $11.99 at Target
- Meggan’s Other Favorite: Ateco 1303 Bowl Scraper Set — $6.99 at Amazon
- Best Stainless Bench Scraper: Norpro Grip-EZ Scraper/Chopper — $9.99 at Amazon
- Best Bench Scraper Set: Chef’n Pastrio Set Bench Chopper — $11.95 at Amazon
- Best Silicone Bench Scraper: ALLTOP Bowl Spatula & Bench Scraper — $3.99 at Amazon
Reviews of the Best Bench Scrapers
1. What’s in Meggan’s Kitchen: OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Scraper
A bench scraper wasn’t always a crucial tool in Meggan’s kitchen — until she decided to make her grandma’s crescent roll recipe many years ago. “I bought this just for that,” she dishes. “I love it because it’s very sturdy, has a strong construction, is easy to use, and easy to clean. Plus, OXO products are great in general.”
Years later this bench scraper still functions just as well as the day she bought it. Longevity aside, the tool includes minor details that leave a big impact. The stainless steel blade features measurement markings to ensure whatever you’re making — whether it be crescent rolls or yummy homemade soft pretzels — is cut to exact dimensions.
Along with the sturdy blade, which seamlessly cuts through any size dough ball, the comfortable non-slip handle fits nicely in your hand, giving you a secure grip as you’re sectioning and forming pastries. Then, once you’re done, you can pop it in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.
The Specs
- Material: Stainless steel blade, silicone handle
- Blade Type: Slightly sharp, square
- Length: 6.25 inches
- Measurement Markings: Yes
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
The Pros
- Non-slip handle
- Easy to clean
- Durable
- Inexpensive
The Cons
- Not sharp enough for chopping dense produce
What Others Are Saying
The OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Scraper was tested by both Serious Eats and Food & Wine, and was named the best bench scraper by Serious Eats, and the best budget by Food & Wine. It also has a 4.8-star rating on Amazon from over 16,000 reviews.
Buy the OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Scraper:
2. Meggan’s Other Favorite: Ateco 1303 Bowl Scraper Set
While stainless steel bench scrapers are made for working on flat surfaces, they’re often not flexible enough to get any remaining bits of dough out of mixing bowls. That’s why Meggan also relies on this flexible plastic bowl scraper. She says that it comes in handy when she needs to scrape the sides of her mixing bowls.
Meggan also appreciates that the set comes with not two, not three, but six scrapers, so you’ll always have a clean one on hand. They’re especially great if you’re working with rainbow layer cake batters and don’t want to muddy the colors! In addition to the sheer amount you get, the plastic manages to cut through thicker dough and is very resilient. After countless cycles in the dishwasher, they haven’t warped and still function beautifully.
The Specs
- Material: Plastic
- Blade Type: Dull, plastic
- Length: 5.3 inches
- Measurements on Blade: No
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
The Pros
- The set comes with 6 scrapers
- Flexible
- Easy to clean
- Affordable
The Cons
- Stiffer than silicone options
- Smaller than other scrapers
- No handle
What Others Are Saying
The Ateco 1303 Bowl Scraper Set has a 4.6-star rating on Amazon from over 3,000 reviews.
Buy the Ateco 1303 Bowl Scraper Set:
3. Best Stainless Bench Scraper: Norpro Grip-EZ Scraper/Chopper
Despite being a bit smaller than the OXO bench scraper, this Norpro design doesn’t skimp on quality. One of the top attributes of this little tool is its blade — sharper than the other dough scrapers on our list; it can easily chop up vegetables and fruit. Once everything is diced up, the tool can then be used to carry the chunks to your pan for quick and easy sauteing. (Read: you won’t have to worry about rogue bell pepper slices!)
When it comes to dealing with dough, the clearly marked measurements ensure you get perfectly sized pieces every time. However, it’s worth noting that some reviews mention that those markings fade over time. One way to prevent that from happening is to gently hand wash with lukewarm water.
The Specs
- Material: Stainless steel blade, santoprene handle
- Blade Type: Sharp, rectangular
- Length: 6 inches
- Measurements on Blade: Yes
- Dishwasher Safe: No
The Pros
- Sharp blade
- Comfortable handle
- Sturdy
- Inexpensive
The Cons
- Must be hand-washed
- Measurements fade with use
What Others Are Saying
The Norpro Grip-EZ was named the best value bench scraper by Saveur and a great choice by Serious Eats. It also has a 4.7-star rating from over 1,000 Amazon reviews.
Buy the Norpro Grip-EZ Scraper/Chopper:
4. Best Bench Scraper Set: Chef’n Pastrio Set Bench Chopper
If you’re looking for value and versatility, there’s no better option than this set of scrapers that come with a flexible bowl scraper, as well as a plastic and stainless steel bench scraper. Priced at under $15 for the set, this is a deal that’s truly hard to beat.
When it comes to performance, it’s extremely convenient to have all three on hand for your marathon baking days. The bowl scraper offers the perfect amount of flexibility for expertly cleaning out your bowls, while the two bench scrapers efficiently swipe through all sorts of dough — from pasta to pizza. And, if you’re particular about storage, you’ll adore how the three pieces nest together to save space in your drawers. There’s something so satisfying about sliding all three pieces together!
The Specs
- Material: Plastic and stainless steel
- Blade Type: Dull rounded plastic and slightly sharp rectangular stainless steel
- Length: 6 inches
- Measurements on Blade: Yes, on the stainless steel scrapers
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
The Pros
- Comes with three different scrapers
- A combination of flexible plastic and sturdy stainless steel
- Easy to clean
- Super affordable
The Cons
- Bowl scraper is stiff
- Stainless steel scraper may warp
What Others Are Saying
The Chef’n Pastrio Set was named best set by Food & Wine and best value by Saveur. It also has a 4.7-star rating from over 5,000 reviews on Amazon.
Buy the Chef’n Pastrio Set Bench Chopper:
5. Best Silicone Bench Scraper: ALLTOP Bowl Spatula & Bench Scraper
While bench and bowl scrapers work a bit differently, this practical tool combines both functions into one! The plastic is pliable enough to hug the curves of your mixing bowls and scrape up any remaining dough, yet it’s still super solid and manages to slice and divide dough without much effort.
The Alltop bench scraper doesn’t have flashy features like a non-slip grip or measurement markings, but it gets the job done at an affordable price. If you want it to last longer, you may want to hand wash it (even though it’s dishwasher safe) to prevent it from warping.
The Specs
- Material: Silicone
- Blade Type: Dull, silicone
- Length: 4.6 inches
- Measurements on Blade: No
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
The Pros
- Flexible enough for scraping bowls
- Non-stick
- Compact
- Very inexpensive
The Cons
- Too small for some
- May warp over time
What Others Are Saying
The ALLTOP Bowl Spatula and Bench Scraper has a 4.6-star rating from over 2,500 reviews on Amazon.
Buy the ALLTOP Bowl Spatula & Bench Scraper:
Other Bench Scrapers We Considered
Dexter-Russell Sani-Safe Dough Cutter/Scraper
Hundreds of Amazon reviewers stand behind this sleek bench scraper for portioning out pasta dough. However, if you’re making numerous loaves of bread or need consistent pieces for intricate baked goods like challah, you may have issues getting the perfect length because measurements aren’t etched onto the blade. Additionally, multiple reviewers mention that the handle isn’t the most ergonomic. The Dexter-Russel Sani-Safe Dough Cutter/Scraper is available at Amazon for $13.79
KitchenAid All Purpose Stainless Steel Dough Pastry Scraper
KitchenAid is one of the most trusted kitchenware brands of all time, and to be honest, they make a pretty solid bench scraper. There’s a catch, though — it’s pricier than other options, and without any flashy features, you might as well save a few bucks and go for a cheaper option that works just as well. The KitchenAid All Purpose Stainless Steel Dough Pastry Scraper is available at Amazon for $14.07
Lamson Dough Scraper
Aesthetically, this just might be the most elegant bench scraper we’ve ever seen. The walnut handle adds a rustic farmhouse touch to an otherwise utilitarian tool. That said, you’re really paying for the looks here — it functions the exact same as any standard bench scraper yet is almost triple the price of the top picks on this list. The Lamson Dough Scraper is available at Amazon for $24.99
Why You Can Trust Us
Hi there! I’m Mary Honkus, a freelance writer with over five years of experience covering food, home, wellness, beauty, and fashion. I’ve held staff positions at Real Simple, People, and InStyle magazines, and my work has been featured in numerous other publications, including Cosmopolitan, WWD, CNN, and US Weekly.
I worked closely with Meggan Hill, the founder of Culinary Hill, to put together this list of the best bench scrapers. Meggan is an expert in the kitchen, having tested hundreds of culinary tools and developed thousands of recipes. Together, we selected the top bench scrapers from our own personal experiences and diligently researched other highly rated options to bring you the most trusted tools to simplify all of your baking projects.
Everything You Need to Know Before Buying a Bench Scraper
What to Consider When Choosing a Bench Scraper
Material: Traditional bench scrapers are made with a stainless steel blade that’s durable, easy to clean, and efficiently slices different types of dough. Dough scrapers can also be made from plastic or silicone, too. The latter are much better for scraping out bowls because they’re flexible and can conform to the curves of a bowl, but stainless steel bench scrapers typically last the longest, and their blades quickly portion out dough with minimal effort.
Size: There isn’t much size variability amongst bench scrapers — they’ll typically be between four to six inches. The size matters most when you use these tools for transferring ingredients. Bigger tools give you more of a surface area to move chopped vegetables into a pan, but overall this aspect truly depends on personal preference.
Measurement Markings: Not every bench scraper is made with convenient measurement notches on the side of the blade, but the ones that do have a leg up on other models. Precision matters when you want to make the most uniform pasta or bread loaves, and having these measurements on the blade makes this an infinitely easier process.
What is a Bench Scraper?
These handy little kitchen tools are excellent multitaskers that can simplify your overall baking experience. Typically between four to six inches and rectangular in shape, most standard designs feature a dull, stainless steel knife that is used to portion and divide the dough, whether you’re making loaves of bread, pizza, soft pretzels, or other baked goods.
Beyond cutting and measuring out your dough, the convenient tool makes it easy to lift and transfer your portioned dough from one surface to another. It can also be used to quickly clean the remaining bits of straggling dough from your work surface without scratching or damaging the space.
Is a Dough Scraper the Same as a Bench Scraper?
While these names are commonly used interchangeably for the baking tool (Meggan uses both terms!), there are some defining differences between a dough scraper and a bench scraper. The main differentiator comes down to the material. Traditional bench scrapers are constructed from a slightly sharp metal blade, whereas dough scrapers are usually made of flexible plastic. The latter is ideal for scraping dough out of the curved sides of bowls so no bits are left behind.
Do I Need a Bench Scraper?
Unless you’ve really kept up with your sourdough starters or are a complete baking fanatic, there’s not a major need to add one to your kitchen arsenal. That said, if you regularly find yourself baking bread or making pizza from scratch, Meggan says a bench scraper makes things infinitely easier.
“You can certainly use your hand to pull the dough apart, but that can affect the dough and the evenness of your portions,” Meggan explains. “A chef’s knife or pizza cutter could also work, although they’re not as seamless to use as a bench scraper. Plus, in addition to portioning dough, I use it to help clean my granite countertop. My bench scraper quickly removes hard and sticky residue from the counter without damaging the surface.”
My Favorite Bread and Pastry Recipes
Need to put your bench scraper to the test? Here are some of Meggan’s favorite baking recipes to get you started!
Bread Recipes
Soft Yeast Dinner Rolls
Bread Recipes
Homemade Crescent Rolls
Bread Recipes
How to Make Bagels
Breakfast Recipes
Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Bread Recipes
Homemade Soft Pretzels
Bread Recipes
Pita Bread Recipe
Mardi Gras Recipes
Beignets
Prices were accurate at the time of publication
Mary Honkus is a freelance writer with over six years of experience in the beauty and fashion industry. She has held staff roles at Real Simple, People, and InStyle, and her work can also be found in numerous other publications including Cosmopolitan, WWD, Glamour, CNN, and Us Weekly. When she's not writing, she can be found chilling on her Hell's Kitchen rooftop, checking out NYC's hottest new restaurants, or recording her podcast Good Trouble NYC.