How to smooth a wooden rolling pin
My wooden rolling pin has a rough patch on it due to the grain of the wood. When I roll out pastry with it, the pastry tends to stick to the rolling pin at that point and lift. Is there anything I can do to get a smooth surface all over the rolling pin or will I have to buy a better one?
Best Answer
Woodworker and cook here. Here's something that might work (without having seen the actual problem). You'll need some 220, 320 & 400 sandpaper, alcohol and shellac (which is food safe). Create a small amount of thinned shellac by mixing it with the alcohol. Next use the alcohol to raise the grain in the affected area. It'll create little nibs that'll stick above the surface of the rolling pin. Use a thin coat of the shellac to 'freeze' the nibs and sand lightly to remove them and the shellac. Start with the 220, lightly sanding and work up to the 400 after the shellac has dried (it's fast). You may have to repeat this a couple of times. Keep going until you can't feel the problem area any longer.
It might be easier to just buy a new one, but things are always better when you've got some sweat equity in them. Plus now you've got a story.
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Use a thin coat of the shellac to 'freeze' the nibs and sand lightly to remove them and the shellac. Start with the 220, lightly sanding and work up to the 400 after the shellac has dried (it's fast). You may have to repeat this a couple of times. Keep going until you can't feel the problem area any longer.Can you sand a rolling pin?
Simply restore your rolling pin's surface with a light sanding, a thorough cleaning, and a food safe wood conditioner treatment.Should you oil a wooden rolling pin?
Oil the rolling pin: Regularly oiling your rolling pin will increase its longevity considerably, keeping the wood conditioned and preventing cracks from forming. Dab a few drops of mineral oil or butcher block oil onto the lint-free cleaning cloth, then rub it into the entire surface of the pin.Should a rolling pin be smooth?
A good rolling pin should spread this finicky, delicate dough easily and smoothly, without sticking or tearing. A handled pin of nonstick-coated steel looked promising, but it was so heavy it smashed dough, generating cracks and sticking. This metal pin lifted whole swaths of dough onto its surface.How do you clean an old wooden rolling pin?
All the rolling pin needs is to be wiped with a damp cloth and then dried with a clean towel. You can wash it with a little warm soapy water if you like, but make sure to immediately and thoroughly dry it. If your rolling pin has bits of dough stuck to it, use a bench scraper to remove them.Rolling Pin Care
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Answer 2
Got a lathe? Without one, about anything you try will distort roundness. That'll cause problems. I'd try fine sand paper on the rough spot, but be prepared to buy anew. Rolling pins are best examined carefully before buying. If they still make Teflon or nylon ones, they might be a better choice than hard maple. Mine's maple, about 70 yrs old, and perfect. I expect that is hard to find in natural products anymore. Plastic is really not such a bad choice. At least they make them smooth and round. No nice slick shortening enriched surface though.
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