Basic Equipment Pieces That Can Make Baking Better
By Chef Alisha Falerio, Pastry Chef, Academy of Pastry and Culinary Arts
To start off with baking, there are several considerations that need to keep in mind, but the one that has the most impact on making baking better is the ownership of a set of baking tools or essential equipment. Baking is an art and a simple craft that takes fundamental methods and dedication, but there is nothing that a few basic baking utensils can't fix. However, there are several products available to assist with baking activities, ranging from combining and measuring to finishing and decorating. Having the right tools might be the difference between rewarding success and frustrating failure. Furthermore, baking tools in the current period are not expensive; they are highly cost-effective, and each instrument has a specific purpose. Thus, to ensure that your dessert turns out the way you want it to, you must have the right tools in your kitchen. Don't be misled into thinking that the same tools won't work elsewhere. The same baking equipment you use for your cake may come in helpful while creating your favourite pasta or pizza!
Equipment That Can Make Baking Better
There is no denying about the fact that a well-equipped cooking area is a cook's best friend. Baking, unlike the other disciplines of cooking, is a chemical, and everything must be precise and suitable. Unless you want variance in the outcome, all recipes must be followed exactly and without deviation. Thus, using the correct baking utensil allows the culinary artist to relax and focus on producing the scrumptious dessert. The following is a list of some of the basis equipment that can improve baking!
Uses of a Weighing Scale: One of the most important reasons culinary experts use weighing scales is that they play an important role in baking and preparing delightful delicacies. A weighing scale allows bakers to precisely measure the ingredients used in the process, which is not possible with measuring cups. Because accuracy is essential in baking, a good set of scales is required to achieve the desired result.
Whisks: Whisks have long been considered the primary and best baking tool. Bakers can mix the batter with any type of spoon or spatula. However, nothing beats a whisk for properly combining the ingredients and achieving the exact consistency that the recipe calls for. In fact, they are the least expensive tool on the list. Whisks come in a variety of colours, shapes, and sizes. Choose the best one for your recipe before beginning the process.
Spatula: Another must-have tool in the baking process is the multipurpose spatula. Stir, mix, scrape, or spread; there's literally nothing a spatula can't do! Nonetheless, it is one of the baking tools that every baker should have. For a more professional look in the kitchen, opting for spatulas is most significant. Thus, make sure to pick ones that are strong and resistant to heat. Though tiny and easy to overlook, they can do wonders while baking.
Moulds and Knives: A knife has several usage in baking, the most significant of which is slicing the baked food once it is done. A mould, on the other hand, is required because it gives shape to the baked food being prepared. This means that when a baker makes cupcakes, they use different moulds while making sponge cake. They pour the batter or sourdough into a mould, which, when heated in the oven, produces a luscious cake in the shape of the mould used.
Oven: The most significant item to consider when deciding how to create a delicious dessert is the appropriate oven. It is the principal and primary tool, if not the primary cause, for baking the desert. Bread bakes best in deck ovens, although certain pastries, such as macarons, bake better in convection ovens. As a result, having a decent oven is just as significant as baking well and knowing what type of oven to use.
Final Takeaway: Be the Best Baker!
Given that the kitchen is the heart of the home, it must be planned and structured in such a manner that it facilitates our everyday lives. Basic baking equipments are essential since they make food preparation easier and faster. To get the most out of these tools, however, one must understand how to use them effectively to prepare the best out of the recipe they are following.
Also Read: Top Baking Trends of 2023