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How Do I Choose the Best Pastry Wheel?

Misty Amber Brighton
Misty Amber Brighton

If you enjoy making fancy pastries, you may want to use a pastry wheel. When choosing one of these crimpers, it can be good to know what kind of pastries you might make and what you want them to look like. You can buy one of these tools with a wooden or metal handle, so you can choose the one that is most comfortable for you to use. It can be a good idea to try the wheel out first in order to see if it is easy to use.

You can use a pastry wheel to cut dough or to give it a decorative edge. When you are trying to choose a tool, think about what designs you like, and then look for a wheel with this pattern. You may want to use different edgings for various types of pastries, in which case it can be a good idea to choose one with interchangeable wheels.

Various types of pastries.
Various types of pastries.

If you plan to cut pastries as well as give them a decorative trim, you may want to choose one with a dual wheel. This type of pastry wheel has one section with a straight edge and another with a crimped edge. The advantage to one of these tools is that you will not have to switch instruments while you are baking, which could save you valuable time.

Some pastry wheels have an ergonomic handle, while others have a straight one. Tools that have an ergonomic handle may cost slightly more, but the extra cost could be worth it if you plan to use the wheel for an extended time. By gripping several different handles, you will be able to tell if one style is more comfortable than another to use.

You will likely need to clean your pastry wheel often, so it is important to consider how to do this. Some of these tools can be placed in a dishwasher, and this can be a convenient way of washing them. Even though you may be able to place a wheel in the dishwasher, doing so may not remove dough from a serrated blade or from underneath the wheel itself. You may want to find one that can be disassembled before placing it in the dishwasher in order to ensure the instrument gets completely clean. If hand washing is recommended, pay attention to whether there are sharp edges so you will not buy a tool that will cut you the first time you do so.

Discussion Comments

ddljohn

I have a small bakery where I make Greek pastries. I don't know about other bakers, but I like a pastry wheel that's heavy. It makes my job easier because I don't have to use as much effort. The one I have is heavy duty. The wheel part is heavy stainless steel and the handle is made of wood. The handle is heavy too, so I don't need to put any effort while using it. I just roll it and it does its job.

candyquilt

@ysmina-- If you make homemade pasta, you can use the pastry wheel to cut them or put indentations on them. You can do the same thing with other baked goods, like breads.

I have a pastry wheel that's a pastry cutter and a crimper in one. It basically has two wheels next to each other. One is sharp, so it cuts pasta and the other puts indentations on them.

This type of pastry wheel would be great for cookies too. You could cut them and then put lines on the outer edges at the same time without switching tools. I bet you could use it for pie too, to cut that extra bit of dough before crimping.

ysmina

I have a pastry wheel. I use it to seal the edges of pies. It works very well and the crust always looks good.

I would like to use this handy little tool more. I'm thinking of shaping the edges of cookies next time. What else can I do with a pastry wheel?

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    • Various types of pastries.
      By: Gordana Sermek
      Various types of pastries.