Baking Essentials: Part III

The first two series of tools and equipment most essential in baking would able a beginner to start baking simple goods like cookies, cakes, cupcakes and muffins. This third part would extend one's baking resume with breads. Building slowly and utilizing quality kitchen essentials that would aid in creating quality food products together with a safer and efficient cooking and baking operation. Here are six additional essential baking tools:

1. Hand Mixer

As beginner baker, a hand mixer is a perfect starter.  Numerous recommendations are leaning on 5-speed hand mixers. Kitchen Aid Brand has always been popular with regards to motorized baking equipment; the brand preference would indicate reliability from simple concern of not overheating to longevity. Additional quality to consider in choosing hand mixer is the ergonomic quality, like the physical ease on the grip and weight.  In having hand mixer before purchasing a stand mixer would help one choose and appreciate a good quality stand mixer, but if one could afford to buy both items please do so.

2. Food Scale

A scale is a very useful tool in baking, since this kind of cooking method relies on precise measurement of ingredients. As bakers rely on a scale for accurate measurement, the scale’s accuracy needs to be tested before purchase, then maintained through annual calibration. Other criteria to consider would be the scale’s capacity, increments, readability, easy to clean, convenient to store and for digital scales resolution of display, speed, “tare” or “zero” button feature and battery life. The old-school counter balance scale, which has been used by bakers and candy makers, seems to be the most reliable as it uses weights or scale weights, stable and durable, plus it double as artsy kitchen display. Nonetheless, digital scale has been seen as a practical option these days for good reason, as it is designed for accuracy and speed. Most bakers recommended the “OXO Good Grips 11 lb Food Scale with Pull out Display,” for it readable pull out numerical display, quick-ready measurement, auto-zeroing features, and battery life.

3. Liquid Measuring Cups: Measuring Glass

Measuring tools like cups and spoons have been discussed at the start of this baking essential series, and have been demonstrated that those are most efficient and accurate in measuring dry ingredients. However, for wet ingredients, such as milk, water, or oils, a wet or liquid measuring cup, like calibrated plastic or glass jugs, would be the best as it would avoid spills that would lead to wastage and inaccuracy. The criteria for choosing the best liquid measuring cup would be accuracy, durability, versatility, staining and ease of use, with that, brands like Pyrex and Anchor hocking comes to mind. The material including the handles are made of heat and cold resistant thick glass, that also microwave-safe with handle stays comfortably cool even when heated in the microwave.

4. Baking Pan: One-Pound Loaf Pan

An 9x5 or 8x4 or an 8-inch one-pound loaf pan with sharp corners and tall sides would be a great addition to essential baking pans collection. With loaf pan a novice’s baker could try baking simple loaf bread, pound cake or a classic healthy banana bread. It also versatile as it could be use in making meatloaf. The best material for loaf pan is aluminized steel, which is inexpensively cost effective, durable long-lasting, rust-resistant, non-stick and most of all, it encourages the development of heavier crust, that is not good for layer cakes but amazing in loaf and banana bread. Aluminized steel is a combination of aluminium and silicon, and brands like Williams Sonoma, USA pan, and Chicago Metallic bake ware have been recommended.

5. Bench Scrapper

A stainless steel bench scrapper or dough cutter is a versatile kitchen tool, it task is not only limited to portioning dough but it could double as a frosting or icing smoother. If  chopping huge amount of vegetables and need to move it to a bowl or a skillet, bench scrapper is pretty useful tool. It could also be a cutting tool for very soft food items like lasagna, brownies, marshmallows and other soft sweets. Consider the criteria such as material, the material and comfort of the grip and length.

6. Silicone Pad

Silicone pad like Silpat F06 half sheet size (12x17-inch) reduces use of parchment paper, so hooray for the environment. These heat-resistant, non-stick, reusable, flexible pad is so versatile from baking cookie, roasting meat and vegetable, cooling toffee, brittle or chocolate, to rolling dough of many kind and more. The bottoms of items baked are always even and slide off easily. It is very convenient to use, clean and store. No wonder most bakers and cooks own like half a dozen of these.  

What do you think about the additional baking tools? Would you prioritize these items in building your kitchen and baking essentials? Please share your thoughts and post comments, reactions, inquiries, suggestions and corrections below. And do not forget to follow to inspire and help this blog create better content. Thank you!

As always enjoy baking!

References

1. The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. (2013). Encyclopedia Britannica. [Website]. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com

2. El-Waylly, S. (n.d.). The Best Kitchen Scales. [website]. Retrieved from https://www.seriouseats.com/2017/10/the-best-kitchen-scales-equipment-review.html

3. Vaglica, S. (n.d.). The Best Liquid Measuring Cups.  [Website]. Retrieved from https://www.seriouseats.com/2017/10/best-liquid-measuring-cups-equipment-review.html

4. Sally. (2016, February 24). 14 Kitchen Tools Every Baker Needs. [Website]. Retrieved from https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2016/02/24/14-kitchen-tools-every-baker-needs/