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Ceramic Slab roller as dough sheeter

huda's picture
huda

Ceramic Slab roller as dough sheeter

Hello, 

I came across this post recently (https://www.tastecooking.com/konbi-secret-croissant-pastry-machine-los-angeles/) as I was searching for a simple manual dough sheeter for home use, mainly for croissants but I would definitely use it for rolling all doughs, as possible.

I live in a country where the weather is hot, and I have kind of 'hot hands', so its really a pain when rolling delicate pastries...I don't have a business (considering small business in the future) and I enjoy baking a lot. In the article it says that they use a ceramic slab roller for laminating their croissants, theirs is Japanese and they kept specific brand a secret. But it was inspiring enough for me to start researching and I came across this one :

(https://www.hobbyceramicraft.co.uk/tools-clay-equipment-slab-roller-tabletop)

It will definitely be a splurge , but do you think it will work/worth it ?

 

TheCopeOfHeaven's picture
TheCopeOfHeaven
Danni3ll3's picture
Danni3ll3

I was the lucky recipient of a slab roller from Michael Lily of Duluth’s Best Bread. He used it to decide whether buying a real sheet/croissant roller was worth it. He bought the real thing and my community pottery studio benefited from his generosity until they closed permanently  due to Covid. So I got the slab roller back and will be using it when my own studio gets built. It’s full of clay now so can’t be used for food anymore. 

Edo Bread's picture
Edo Bread

Are you saying you will convert to food or keep it for clay Danni?

Danni3ll3's picture
Danni3ll3

It would be considered contaminated as it would be very hard to get every speck of clay out of it. Clay really isn’t something one would want to ingest. ?

This is the one I have:

Edo Bread's picture
Edo Bread

Yes, that is why I was wondering. I wasn't clear after reading your post. Best to make a nice toast plate!

huda's picture
huda

Hello, 

Well, I didn't purchase an equipment yet, I would like to get your opinion on two models:

1) Shimpo mini slab roller, which I believe it is the same model used in Konbi, opening 3mm to 25 mm, 

here the rolling elements are stationary and the table moves across .

 

2) Northstar 18"Standard roller, opening paper thin to 2", here the rolling elements and table (not shown here) are stationary, the clay/dough will move across to flatten, resembling actual croissant sheeter.

 

I can afford one at the moment, which one shall I invest in?

 

Danni3ll3's picture
Danni3ll3

They are both the same except one has a board under it to rest the canvas and clay on. They both have adjustable rollers. I’m more familiar with the board type so I’d be inclined to go with that but since you are using it for baking, maybe going with the one that is more similar to an actual sheeter might be best. ??‍♀️

gary.turner's picture
gary.turner

I can vouch for the efficacy of the Bailey (clay) slab roller repurposed for dough. I got mine here, https://www.baileypottery.com/m-400-004.html, several (10?) years ago plus some longer sheets of Masonite from the big box store for shims, so I can roll out to 48" long.

g

huda's picture
huda

Alright then I will get the Shimpo mini slab roller, it is almost the same as yours, i can buy longer table if I need in the future.. thank you

gary.turner's picture
gary.turner

Between Danielle and me, I'm glad we could help.

g

arejay00's picture
arejay00

Hello! Did you end up getting the Shimpo? If yes how did it work out? I'm interested in one also. 

huda's picture
huda

Hmm, I think it needs a learning curve, I wouldn't say that it is life changing, Yet.

I feel the dough is squished rather than rolled, the canvas ( i washed well and floured) gets dirty easily ,and the wooden table is not treated.. I tried to use silpat underneath but the dough sticks to it quickly and so I have to use a lot more of flour...

now looking back, I think I would've gotten this one instead...

https://www.etsy.com/listing/788737955/manual-dough-sheeter-197-inc-dough?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=dough+sheeter&ref=sc_gallery-1-1&plkey=ab9bb15cddc8e8e1ffe73c583d57f1f580c40a25%3A788737955&frs=1&bes=1

as the rollers are smooth , and the dough kind of "moves" so it flattens more evenly throughout ...

 

arejay00's picture
arejay00

Are you able to get better lamination on the Shimpo with some extra practice? That Etsy link you provided has an electric one that looks appealing.

 

arejay00's picture
arejay00

N/A

HeatherLake's picture
HeatherLake

Warning, the Etsy sheet rollers do not work well.  They are clunky and start to jam up with anything 4.5mm or larger. The rollers stick to your doughs and shred them.  I bought one and we tried numerous doughs with no success.   

Tabletop slab rollers are readily available for about $650 USD- this seems to be what they are using in the bakery.  No need to spend $1500.

https://www.theceramicshop.com/product/11557/shimpo-mini-slab-roller/ 

https://www.baileypottery.com/c-116-srm.html

http://www.clay-king.com/clay_slab_rollers/shimpo_mini_slab_roller.html

https://kruegerpottery.com/products/shimpo_mini_roller 

In my experience as a ceramic artist I have found Shimpo products to be well made and functioning.  I have just ordered this slab roller and I will post how it goes with the laminated doughs.  

HeatherLake's picture
HeatherLake

I should have mentioned it was the metal dough sheeter from https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/DOUGHSHEETER?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=640605112 that worked so poorly.

takomoo's picture
takomoo

Hi there!

I just wanted to know if you had an update on how the ceramic rollers worked for your laminated dough? 
Would you recommend this over any other tabletop sheeter from Etsy?

cfraenkel's picture
cfraenkel

Our school had one of these (for clay) and we ALWAYS put a sheet of canvas on top and one below when we rolled clay.  Have you tried parchment paper and freezing the dough first? It seems like it should work.

ca