The Tools of the Trade
OK, so you’re craving something delicious, and you’ve finally decided on a recipe. If you’re new to the wonderful world of baking, you may not be familiar with what tools you need. This page will help you discover all the utensils and gadgets you need to start creating your masterpiece.
This list is just a quick guide. I’ve tried to cover all the general tools you need for most areas of baking. As I previously mentioned in my beginner’s baking guide, you can also buy tools as you need them based on what you’re making. This is an easy, cost-effective way to build up your collection.
Before we get into it, just keep in mind that anything you buy is always at your own risk. I have items from the dollar store that have lasted for years, and I have higher-end utensils that broke almost immediately. I usually read reviews and recommendations before I buy anything, especially if it’s pricey.
If visual learning is more your thing, I found a great webpage with in-depth explanations and pictures of all different types of baking tools. You can find that here.
Splurge or Save: Tools for Baking
The following is based on my own experiences and research. In the end, every purchase always comes down to personal opinion. I recommend you always save your receipt and look over each item carefully before buying it. Sometimes, you can tell just by holding it if it isn’t constructed well. I’ve also added graphics that you can save to your phone or print out for an easy shopping list.
Go Big or Go Home $$ (Splurge)
Tastebuds: This is your most important tool by far. How else will you know how pro you are if you don’t even sample your own stuff? Always, and I mean ALWAYS, splurge on your tastebuds.
Stand Mixer: I can promise you that you will not regret this purchase if you spend a fair amount. It’ll be able to handle any job, and it won’t burn out as fast.
Oven: This one may be a bit more of a personal preference. It really depends on how often you use it and your expectations. In my experience, cheap ovens don’t heat evenly. It can cause your prized baked goods to turn out like garbage. I think it’s worth the splurge.
Believe it or not, some places actually don’t have an oven. (We’re looking at you, New York apartments!) In that case, there are a lot of no-bake recipes out there.
Assorted Knives: I have had cheap knives before. Don’t go down that road, trust me. Quality knives are sharp and reliable. You can either purchase a knife block with everything in it or buy it as you go.
A paring knife is perfect if you’re working with fruits, and a chef’s knife for cutting cold butter. If you’re making lots of bread, you’ll need a serrated knife to cut off slices.
Make It Rain Another Time (Save)
Measuring Cups and Measuring Spoons: Keep in mind that you’ll need different cups for wet and dry ingredients. If you purchase a brand-name item or head to the dollar store, they all give you the same result.
Airtight Containers: You’ll need these if you want to store any cookies, bars, etc. for later.
Parchment Paper: Another holy grail product. Do NOT get this confused with wax paper. I’ll probably do an article about this later on. You can use it to line baking sheets, cake pans, and whatever else your heart desires! It makes clean up so much easier and allows you to have more time for your beloved TV shows, pets, online trolling, etc.
Rubber Spatula: These things are awesome and a must have! They scrape every last little bit out of the bowl for you, so you’re not wasting any precious batter. Chances are that the majority of them will work the same regardless of the price. I’ve seen some really cute ones for cheap too! If you don’t have one, just use your tongue.
Wooden Skewers: These are a godsend when you’re making cakes, bars, squares, etc. You poke the center or highest point, and if it comes out clean, your creation is done!
Mixing Bowls: If kitchen aesthetics are your thing, by all means, splurge on a fancy set. Other than that, they all pretty much function the same. It’s all a matter of which material you prefer.
Kitchen Scissors: Useful for opening packages and cutting stuff. story about scissors, actually. When I first moved out, I bought a pair of scissors. I then had to buy a second pair because when I got home, I realized that I couldn’t get the scissors out without a second pair. Oh, the irony.
Mesh Sieve: Remember in the beginner’s baking guide how I mentioned sifting all of your ingredients? You’ll need one of these fancy doodads to do just that.
Cooling Rack: Do you really need one? Yes. Yes, you do.
Saving $$ for Tools for Baking: Part 2
The following will depend on what you’re baking or which area you’d like to specialize in. Most recipes will usually state what you need. Buy as you go and as you need to. If you don’t plan on ever making a pie, then you don’t need a pie plate. Please note that this is just a general list.
Utensils include, but are not limited to:
The Fun Zone (Optional Tools for Baking)
Think of this as that section of Target everyone always flocks to. You know, that area with all the bins of random items. Do you really need it? Probably not. Is it awesome? YES! I’ve only listed a few, but there are a lot of different gadgets out there to make your life easier.
A Digital Scale: These ensure that you get more precise measurements. Also, if you’re a serious coffee connoisseur, you can measure the grounds by weight as well. Apparently, the higher-end ones are supposed to be more accurate, but it’s up for debate.
A Blender or Food Processor: These are your best friends if your creation requires a lot of chopping, fruit purees, and so on. I’ve even seen blender manuals that come with recipes for making different doughs as well.
Cookie Scoop: I’ve been obsessed with them since my mom first introduced me to them. I refuse to ever make cookies by hand again. You don’t waste as much dough because it’s not all over you. As an added bonus, it also gives you more uniform cookies, which is perfect for the folks of Instagram.
Let’s Get Baking!
Now that we’ve covered some general tips and tools for baking, you’re well on your way to getting started on your baking journey. I’d love to hear about your experiences and see some of your creations!
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