Baking Tools and Equipment (and Their Uses)

1. Baking Tools and Equipment (and Their Uses)
Measuring Tools
Spoons,cups,bowls.Measuringtoolsinanumberof differentmaterialsandsizes,andit’s
importantthatyou have a set.You’re goingto needthemtomeasure outyour wetand dry
ingredients.Itmightcostyoua prettypenny,butyoushoulddefinitelypurchase goodquality
onesthat will lastyou.Some greatbrandsto considerare Cuisipro,KingArthurFlour,Anchor
Hocking,andPyrex.
Make sure youget a whole setof cups andspoons;you’re goingtoregretit if you only
purchase a quartercup especiallywhenyouhave todumpinthree cupsof flourto make
some bread.The same can go forspoons.Usinga teaspoonto countout three tablespoons
can be a pain,especiallyif youenduplosingtrack.Try outyour new measuringtoolswhenyoutake acourse in
makingglutenfree bread.
Baking Pans
Whenputtingyourbakedgoodsinthe oven,you’re goingtoneedapan to place
theminor on.Stoneware isanexcellentchoice,butitdoes needtobe preheated
for bestresults.Aluminumpansare anothergreatchoice.You’re goingtowanta
numberof differentpans.There are cookie sheets,browniepans,circularpans,
square pans,rectangle pans,andspecialtyshapes.Don’tforgetpie panstoo.
Specialtypansare greatfor special occasionslike weddings,birthdays,andsomany
otherparties.Youcan findpans ina numberof differentshapesfromflowersto
monkeys.Take alookat your local craft store,and decide whatspecialtyshapesyou justcan’tlive without.Those
specialtypanswill come inhandywhiletakingacourse on cake decoratingforfunand profit.Yes,youcan make
moneysellingyourbakedgoodsonce yougetgoodat them.
Parchment Paper
Thisparticularbakingtool has a numberof differentuses.Youcan line yourpansto keep
your bakedgoodiesfromsticking,oryoucan lay themouton yourcountersto protectthat
beautiful granite topfromflourandsugar.It’salsoa great way to store yourbakedgoods
so theydon’tdry outin yourrefrigerator.Parchmentpaperisgrease-resistantand
moisture-resistant.
Wax Paper
Like parchmentpaper,wax papercan be usedfor liningbakingpansorstoringbaked
goodsso theydon’tdry.The onlydifference betweenthe twopapersisreallythe fact
that wax paperhas a thinwax coatingon bothsides,andparchmentpaperisreallyheavy
paper.Wax paperismoisture-proofandnonstick.
Oven Thermometer
If you’ve everusedanoven,you’re probablywonderingwhatyouwouldneedthis
particulartool for.Afterall,ovenshave dialsorbuttonsthatyou push,andthey’re marked
withthe temperature.Right?Well,the problemisthatovenstendtobecome faultyover
time soit’sbestto check the temperature manually.Thiswayyouhave the perfect
temperature everytimeyoubake something.Oventemperature canmake a bigdifference
inbakingso don’tconsiderthistool optional.

2. Rubber Spatulas
Like parchmentpaper,thistool hasdifferentuses.Youcanuse itto scrape bowlssoevery
lastdrop of batter endsupin the pan insteadof downyoursink.Youcan alsouse themto
foldyourmore delicate ingredients,andthey’re greatwhenwantingtostirthingsgentlyby
hand.Be sure to getthemin a varietyof sizessoyouhave one for whateverbakingfiasco
youmightrun into.
Icing Spatula
If you’re planningtotake a course in cake decorating,you’re goingtowantone of
these.However,anicingspatulaisquite aversatile tool.Inmyhousehold,we evenuse
it forbutteringbreadandslappingmayonnaiseontoasandwich.Youcan alsouse itfor
smoothingoutyourbatterin the pan so youendup witha flattersurface atthe end
(lesswastedcake whenyougoto level it).It’salsogreatforlooseningyourbaked
goodsfrom the pan.Any baker can tell youthatevenwithoilingyourpan,you’re going
to have some slightsticking.So,planaheadwithanicingspatulainyourarsenal.
Whisk
Differentshapeshave differentuses,whichfew people actuallyknow.A balloonwhiskisgreat
whenyouhave to deal withlotsof batter.You can alsouse it for foldingsometimestoo.
Narrowerwhisksare greatfor use inyour potsand panswhenmakingcurdsand pastry creams
on the stove top.You’re goingto wantwire whisksandsilicone-coatedwhisks.The silicone
oneshave the addedbonusof scrapingthe sidesof bowlslike arubberspatula.
Pastry Brush
Evenif you haven’tbakedbefore,youmighthave seenthose smallerpaintbrushesin
the bakingarea and wonderedwhatexactlytheycouldbe for.Brusheslike those
actuallyhave a lotof usesfrombrushingonBBQ saucesto applyingglazestobaked
goods.The traditional style hadnatural ornylonbristlesthatshedandheldonto
flavorsandcolors.
Thismade it difficulttouse the same brush forcookingand baking.Now,there are siliconebrushesthatdon’thold
ontocolors andflavors,andtheydon’tshed.Thismeansyoucan use that pastry brushyou usedfora blueberryglaze
the otherday to give yourThanksgivingturkeyanice rubdownin the oven.
Bench Scraper
Thistool is especiallyversatile.Youcanuse it to chopup nuts or cut doughwhen
makinglarge batches.Youcan use itto scrape downyourcountersso youdon’tend
up withstickydoughleftbehind.Youcan alsouse itto scoop up ingredientstodump
intoa bowl.Once youhave one,you’re goingtowonderhow you everdidwithoutit