In short: the Louis Tellier CAR01 is for people who scrape from a half or quarter wheel and want a real tool, not a makeshift spatula. What we take away: a hardened stainless steel blade with a smooth side for scraping and a micro-serrated side for cutting, a varnished wooden handle and French manufacturing claimed by the maker.
This article contains Amazon affiliate links: if you buy through these links, Raclette Club earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Louis Tellier CAR01 spec sheet
| Feature | Louis Tellier CAR01 |
|---|---|
| Type | 2-in-1 raclette knife (scraper) |
| Reference | CAR01 (Louis Tellier brand, formerly Bron Coucke) |
| Material | Hardened stainless steel blade, varnished wooden handle, brass rivets |
| Dimensions | 24 x 4.5 x 1.5 cm according to the maker’s spec sheet (24.5 cm on Amazon.fr) |
| Weight | 85 g |
| Use | Scraping melted cheese from the wheel (smooth side) and cutting the “religieuse” (micro-serrated side) |
| Care | Hand wash with dish soap, no abrasive sponge, then dry thoroughly |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Made in | France, according to the Louis Tellier spec sheet |
| Audience | Professional and home use |
What we take away
On paper, the CAR01 is the knife you see in cheese shops and at market stalls: a wide hardened stainless steel blade, a varnished wooden handle held by two brass rivets, and nothing superfluous. Its particularity lies in its two edges. The smooth side scrapes off the layer of cheese that has just melted under the heating element, in one move, without tearing the rind. The micro-serrated side cuts, and the maker’s sheet mentions the “religieuse”, that golden crust that sticks to the bottom of the fondue pot and that everyone fights over at the end of the meal.
At 85 g and 24 cm, it stays light in the hand, which matters when you scrape for twelve and your wrist starts to protest around the third round. The brand, which has made professional kitchen utensils in France since 1947 according to its spec sheet, is the former Bron Coucke, well known to half-wheel grill fans. The only real downside is the wood: it isn’t dishwasher safe, and the maker recommends hand washing followed by careful drying. A small effort for a tool that can accompany years of raclette nights.
On video
Video: Raclette du Valais AOP on YouTube. The scraping technique at the wheel, shown by the trade association; the knife used isn’t necessarily this model.
Video: La Toque d’Or on YouTube. Presentation of the Louis Tellier brand’s raclette grills, not of the knife itself.
Strengths
- Two edges for two uses: scraping and cutting
- Hardened stainless steel blade, varnished wooden handle and brass rivets
- Light (85 g) for a long night of scraping
- French manufacturing confirmed by Louis Tellier, 2-year warranty under its general terms of sale
- Designed for professional and home use
Things to consider
- Not dishwasher safe: hand washing recommended
- Mostly useful with a half-wheel or quarter-wheel grill, much less with pans
- The wood needs to be dried well after each wash
Who is it for?
For those who have taken the step to old-school raclette, with a half-wheel or quarter-wheel grill, and who still scrape with a table knife that bends with every pass. For fondue fans who finally want to lift the religieuse cleanly. On the other hand, if your raclette night comes down to individual pans slid under a grill, this knife won’t add much: a simple wooden spatula is enough to slide the cheese onto the plate.
Alternatives
- BOSKA PRO raclette knife : 150 mm stainless steel blade and plastic handle according to Boska, serrated edge.
- BOSKA 254116 Pro : an older raclette knife from the Dutch brand, with a smooth edge, no longer available at a retailer.
To see all the useful accessories around the grill, read our selection of essential raclette accessories.
Recipes to make with it
- Traditional raclette, this knife’s natural playground.
- Our comparison of fondue pots, for fondue and its famous religieuse.
- Our boards and platters for raclette, to serve next to the wheel.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Louis Tellier CAR01 knife dishwasher safe?
The maker recommends hand washing it with dish soap, no abrasive sponge, then drying it carefully. The handle is varnished wood.
What is the serrated side of the raclette knife for?
According to the maker’s sheet, the smooth side scrapes melted cheese off the wheel and the micro-serrated side cuts, notably the religieuse, the crust that forms at the bottom of the fondue pot.
Where is the Louis Tellier raclette knife made?
Louis Tellier states French manufacturing, and its general terms of sale provide a 2-year warranty.
