Being the pie lover that I am, my wooden rolling pin is an important item in my kitchen. I’ve been using the same rolling pin for 37 years, and it’s in beautiful condition. I’ve taken care of it over the years, but it’s not complicated; just a few simple tips will keep yours in great condition, too.
How to Clean a Wooden Rolling Pin
After using your rolling pin, wash it in hot water. Don’t use soap, which can strip the oils out of the wood. And definitely never allow your rolling pin to sit in water for any amount of time. This will cause the wood to swell, and possibly crack once it’s dried out.
Don’t ever put a wooden rolling pin in your dishwasher. After washing your rolling pin, dry it completely before storing.
How to Season a Wooden Rolling Pin
It is often recommended that wooden rolling pins be wiped with food grade mineral oil to create a waterproof seal, to keep pastry from sticking to it, and to keep the wood from drying out. Mineral oil is a distillation product of petroleum, so that’s definitely not something I personally would do or recommend.
If the wood in your rolling pin appears to be drying out, use an oil that is safe to eat and won’t go rancid. Most vegetable oils or even lard are not appropriate because they do go rancid fairly quickly. Coconut oil, on the other hand, is a very stable oil and does not easily go rancid. It’s is a good alternative to mineral oil for seasoning and protecting your rolling pin.
Block oil is a product made specifically for oiling wooden utensils like cutting boards and salad bowls, and would be another fine choice for oiling a wooden rolling pin. It contains refined seed oil, lemon oil, vitamin E and carotene, and will not become rancid.
A half teaspoon of oil is plenty to rub on the surface of your pin. Wipe off all excess oil with a soft clean cloth. You shouldn’t need to do this often; it’s only necessary if the wood appears to be drying out.
Keep these tips in mind if you have other wooden items in your kitchen. Each of them holds true for cutting boards, salad bowls and wooden spoons as well.
Pie is Why I Have a Rolling Pin
Ok, all this talk of rolling pins has me drooling for pie. Here are a few great recipes to enjoy:
Thank you for visiting Learning And Yearning. May "the LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." Num 6:24-26
MachelleH says
Thank you for the info! I had never heard of block oil before.
Susan says
You’re welcome!
Marielle says
Great article! I have a butcher’s block in my kitchen and usually use wooden cooking utensils but didn’t know how to properly care for them. Thanks!
Jacqueline @ deeprootsathome.com says
Susan, I am glad to read this…I think I will use coconut oil. I have never soaked it or washed with soap, but just need extra protection for the lovely wood so it will be around for many productive years!
Bobby! says
I am glad I took the time to look this up and found what you had to say, I was considering using mineral oil on a new rolling pin I just bought and am happy now I didn’t, if anybody would know, it would be a pastry chef, I have never treated wooden cutting boards that I have had in the past and have always regretted that, so who ever reads my post, take care of your stuff!
Diana says
I just bought myself a new rolling pin and decided to lookup how to take care of it. I have been doing it right ?.Thank you so much
Susan Vinskofski says
Wonderful!!! Thanks for stopping by, Diana.
Christie Knotts says
I have always been skeptical about wooden spoons, cutting boards, rolling pins etc because like you said if you put the wrong oil on them they can become rank and leave everything you roll out on them or with them, even placing a salad or whatever in the bowls, will taste rank.
I decided to start baking and decorating cakes and ordered a little small kit that had about a 8 inch plastic rolling pin with it. I love it but found that it’s kind of hard to roll out anything decent sized with the small rolling pin. I have wanted a wooden rolling pin for years but I never knew the proper way to take care of them so I never owned one. I placed an order over the weekend and it was delivered today, finally.. while mom and I talked we both thought that oiling it with olive oil would be fine but I was scared it would leave it rank so I decided to wait and do some research because the wood is real dry….. now that I know how to properly take care of them I am sure I will own more wooden things for the kitchen… thank you for the advice and I will definitely pass this along to others that need it..
To answer your question about pies, I love cherry pie, pecan pie, and my mom’s famous lemon pie… my favorite would be egg custard pie!!!! My grandmother made the best I’ve ever eaten before 🙂
Susan Vinskofski says
Wonderful! Can you believe that I’ve never had an egg custard pie?
mac says
good idea, but shipping from amazon costs more than the item itself..
Barbara Farris says
Target has them in the store for $6. and change.
My problem is that it tore thru the shopping bag while in the parking lot of the store when I was leaving. The wooden rolling pin way laying on the asphalt. Who knows what germs were there !
It seems I should wash it the first time with more than plain water.
Any suggestions ?
Susan Vinskofski says
Barbara, I don’t think a one time wash with soap and water will hurt anything. Be sure to dry it thoroughly and oil afterwards.
Suzanne says
Thanks. At Christmastime My rolling pin that was my mother’s and I’ve used for over 35 years broke! I just bought a new one and looked up your post on curing a new one. I used grapeseed oil and a drop of lemon essential oil.
Susan Vinskofski says
Oh, how sad to lose an old friend! Thanks for stopping by.
Tobey Burgess says
I have several rolling pins. I love them all and they have been with me for 40 years. I have just purchased a “fancy” wooden rolling pin with carved figures for the holiday. How do I prepare this before using it. Thank you.
Susan Vinskofski says
That sounds lovely, Tobey. Unfortunately, I have no experience with these rolling pins. I would have hoped that the manufacturer would have included that information when you purchased it. Hopefully, a google search will come up with something for you.
carol hammer says
i also purchased a “fancy” wood rolling pin, and googling “pretreat wood rolling pin” brought up your blog! i am going to try coconut oil.
Susan Vinskofski says
Thanks for stopping by, Carol!
G Suits says
I’m glad kept scrolling down to a Dec 8, 2018 just the question I ditto. But I want to know if I should wash the rolling pin before the coconut oil (like w/soap & water or just water)?
G Suits says
Also Susan, this is a new rolling pin & shouldn’t it be given a good “cleaning” before even used? And what is the correct way to ‘dry’ & then wash after each use?
HELP! Preserve, Stephens Family (Stephens-Martin) Heriloom!!!! Any ideas?! says
Any help!!! Any ideas to Preserve Family Heirloom (from: Stephens Family, Year: 1940. Signed Rolling Pin, to the Stephen-Martin Family)
I have my grandmother’s rolling pin.
It was a wedding signed by her family!
Shortly before my Mama passed (1st time I saw it), my Mama used it because I said I needed a rolling pin. (She shouldn’t have done that and had Dementia). I think some of the writing got smeared.. I thought I saw red on the dough. Some of the signatures are smeared. I do not know what type of ink it is but it is from 1940 (married in 1940). I need help to preserve without ruining it! Anyone?!
Susan Vinskofski says
Oh, how disappointing! You would have to talk to an antique restoration company. If you can’t find one, a local antique store should be able to point you in the right direction.
Susan Vinskofski says
I would be very careful about washing the rolling pin before seasoning, although I understand why you would want to. A quick rinse in hot water is the most I would do because you really don’t want your roller to absorb any water before seasoning. Be sure it is absolutely dry before proceeding. After using, I wash my rolling pin in hot water. I never let it soak in water. And then I dry it with a cloth and it’s good to go.
G Suits says
Thanks Susan. You are so kind & helpful to those of us who are newbies. Your prompt responses mean so much, too.
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays !
kathleen says
I too just purchased a laser-cut rolling pin and there were no instructions about care. I contacted them they were very kind but simply said soak in warm water and clean. that’s it. The designs are beautiful but where can we find how to do this. I too googled it like the other lady and it brought me to your site. I bought two of these for the holidays and they went on and on about how special the wood was but this doesn’t help. I think I will have to contact e-bay and have them tell the seller he needs to do a better job with care instructions. but I am enjoying your site and your pies info. thank you.so much.
Susan Vinskofski says
Hi Kathleen! I love those rolling pins, but have never had one myself. If the manufacturer has sealed the wood, they are good to go. Keeping them dry will be key. Don’t forget, the butter in the cookies will do a great job of keeping the rolling pin well oiled.
Mathew says
Amazing ideas. I looking for an article about care of my wooden rolling luckily I got your article. Really this article help me lot. Thanks.
Sam Maxi says
I was a bit confused about taking care of my wooden rolling pin but after reading your article I got some good idea about taking care of my wooden rolling pin. Really it’s a very helpful article.
Thanks for the share!
LLee says
What should you coat your rolling pin and cutting board with if your allergic to coconut.
Stella says
I just bought my first ever rolling pin. I’m 61 years old and am cooking more than ever since being quarantined. I am going to attempt to make flour tortillas from scratch as well as gnocchi. Here’s my problem. An idiot put the bar code sticker directly on the wood in the center. I very slowly peeled off the sticker, but the sticky residue is there. How on earth do I get that off?
Diane says
I just purchased some lovely rolling pins for my husband, as a Christmas present. I was looking to see how to keep them properly or ‘season’ them for first use and landed here on your page. I’d never heard of block oil before. Thank you!
I’m also a very new Christian who is often filled with self doubt and concerns that I am not good enough, so when I saw the Bible passage from Numbers I was smiling through tears. God bless you. Have a wonderful day.
Susan Vinskofski says
I’m so glad you stumbled upon my site and found the post helpful. None of us are good enough, Diane, and that’s precisely why we need Christ’s righteousness imputed to us. Ask your heavenly Father daily to fill you with the Spirit and to give you the strength by the Spirit to obey. May He bless you richly.