Lefse and flatbread turning stick

A bakstefløy is a stick used to move and turn lefse or Norwegian flatbread during baking. Bakstefløyg is another Norwegian form of the name. The tool slides beneath the thin sheet of dough so it can be handled around the baking surface and griddle. Its section may be round or flat, depending on technique and user preference.

The turning stick belongs to equipment for thin flatbreads. It should be distinguished from a bread peel for an oven. Høvåg Museum's kitchen account describes both the stick for lefse and flatbread and the long bread peel used to place loaves in, and remove them from, an oven. A long handle alone therefore does not establish a tool's function.

For an older example, record length, cross-section, ends and wear. Examine breaks, shortening and repairs, preserving any owner's marks. Local use history helps clarify the name and function. A simple wooden stick may be handmade without necessarily being very old or attributable to a particular maker.

Sources: Store norske leksikon: Bakstefløy; Agderkultur: Høvåg museum, omvisning 2005.