Rolling Pins: What to consider when purchasing?

[Marie...]

There are several different types of rolling pins on the department store shelves. I am interested in buying one to add to a gift basket.

[Marie...]

Thank you all for sharing!

[smartie]

I like my rolling pin with handles at each end and which rolls independently of the handles. The whole thing is made of wood. I don't like the heavy marble ones as I find my pastry rolls less evenly.
At a pinch I have used a full or empty wine bottle!

[Harters]

really only three things to consider for me - length, weight and comfort in use. Mine's plain wood, about 300mm long.

[KTFoley]

Here's a thread on rolling pins from the Cookware board. If it doesn't offer enough of a starting place, a fresh post on that board will probably bring forth as many opinions as we might want or need.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/726728

[Marie...]

Thank you. I should have known to post in Cookware. I didn't get a search result before when I put in 'rolling pin'. I checked the link and there are many helpful posts.

[chowser]

I like the French tapered wood ones for better control and they're long enough to roll over larger doughs without a lot of backtracking.

[a213b]

FWIW, I completely agree with Chowser. Once I got one of these I never used my one with bearings again ... far more control, easier to clean, and a better tactile experience for my OCD self ;-)

[hill food]

I don't like the bearings either. mom had a Corningware one-piece glass with a cork so you could fill it with warm or cold water depending on your need. of course the cork eventually broke off inside and frankly I never saw a difference in the quality of her pie dough.