You can't miss the classic chakla belan (bread rolling board and pin) when you enter an Indian kitchen. Stacks of beautiful and soft rotis or Indian flatbreads are a must for any Indian lunch. And what better way to get them ready than with a chakla and belan made from a suitable material? A common tendency or sheer laziness is to roll out the dough directly on the kitchen island counter. However, this is not a very sanitary method of working with food. Instead of that, it is advisable to invest in a chakla, dedicatedly crafted to roll out Indian breads.
Variety of chaklas available
There is a wide range of chaklas available, from those with a high platform to those with almost no elevation ideal for Indian cooking. The perfect chakla would have a scratch-free, glossy finish that could be easily cleaned with a damp cloth. Also, check that the chakla's material is appropriate for the climate where it will be used.
Apart from that, a lovely chakla can do wonders for the atmosphere of any kitchen. There are benefits and drawbacks to each potential chakla material:
Steel Chakla
The long life of your steel chakla belan set is ensured using food-grade stainless steel. Very convenient in that it requires little effort to clean and put away. Its durability and resistance to wear and tear have made it a trendy choice in recent years.
Wooden Chakla
Wood is often used to make chakla, and for a good reason: it's inexpensive and easy to work with. It's durable, lightweight, and simple to work with. The organic nature of the wood means that the chakla's surface must be kept entirely dry to prevent mould and decay growth. Poorly cared-for chaklas inevitably decay, rendering them unusable. To produce uniformly sized rotis, check out the right wooden chakla belans.
Glass Chakla
These are often fancy in looks. Many glass chaklas feature five sturdy legs despite their featherweight construction. Its smooth exterior also makes for simple, speedy cleanup.
Marble Chakla
In terms of materials, a chakla is typically made of marble, specifically a smooth white marble. However, it is essential to clean the chakla surface so that no calcium is chipped away. The marble chakla has a few drawbacks, the most significant ones being its weight and the possibility of chipping in uneven places if mishandled. Look no further than a high-quality marble rolling board.
Granite Chakla
Granite has a polished surface, doesn't decay or shatter readily, and is resistant to spoilage. The main drawback, though, is that it can acquire considerable weight. Because of the potential for significant injury from a fall, it must be handled with care.
Silicone Chakla
One of the most recent developments in kitchen gadgets is a silicone rolling mat, the only synthetic material on this list. This rolling board comes with measurements for the size of the rolled dough and other factors, making it useful for baking and making Indian roti. This mat may be easily cleaned after each usage by washing it or wiping it off with a damp cloth.
Which chakla should you choose?
You can customise your market purchase to meet your needs by selecting the appropriate material and size from various options, including marble, stone, wood, etc. It's enough to ensure the top is smooth and even, without any cracks or crevices. It should also be stable when placed on a flat surface with no wobbles.