Introduction: The Baking Essentials List
Having the right equipment can elevate you from weekend warrior baker level to that of a baker that produces show stopping treats for their friends and family. And even if you have no interest in developing your baking skills under the right conditions, at the very least, investing in quality equipment will limit potential kitchen disasters.
Now, you would be completely dazzled at how the market is currently overflowing with all kinds of gadgets and tools designed to aid you – even nearly professional, at home star bakers are guaranteed to lack a significant number of them. The plain reality, however, is that you don’t really need all that much to do wonders in the kitchen. In fact, there are a relatively limited number of products you need.
This article will throw the fancy out and focus on the essentials. You will absolutely find them useful, whether you’re just starting your journey as a baker or you are already a die-hard baker – and as a bonus, you will soon find that they are relatively inexpensive.
Lurch: Germany Flexiform Pyramid, Silicone Baking
This amazing, 41 x 29 cm big baking mat, brought to you by Lurch, a company that has been revolutionizing baking and cooking products since 1995, is exactly what you need to ensure you cook healthy meat, fish and vegetable dishes. It is temperature resistant and made of 100% platinum silicone which enables excess fat to melt away without soiling the oven.
It is extremely easy to clean, with any food leftovers easily getting cleaned away by using simple running water or a dishwasher, due to its maximized non-stick effect. Priced at just $27.49, you can plainly tell this product is quite the bargain, if you are planning on regularly cooking meals like or similar to the aforementioned ones. Highly recommended for all health conscious cooks – and aren’t we all, that?
Hudson Essentials: Stainless Steel Measuring Cups and Spoons Set – 11 Piece Stackable Set
Hudson Essentials is a small company that is totally dedicated to the creation of new and innovative kitchenware. This stainless steel, measuring cups and spoon set is a testament to that. Lightweight, with a full, five year warranty on both the cups and the spoons, these easy to handle measuring tools are extremely useful, whether you are cooking or baking, as precision is the key for best results. Their exact measurements are stamped on each cup. The eleven piece set includes 1/8, 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 3/4 and 1 cup and 1/4, 1/2, 1 tsp. and 1 tbsp.
They never rust nor corrode, they won’t break nor will they warp, and in addition they are easy and quick to cleanup – a simple dishwasher will do – all thanks to their material: Premium, food grade stainless steel. They are also conveniently able to nest inside each other, thus taking very little storage space – you can easily pack them in a drawer or a cupboard. They are currently priced at $33,99, a very affordable price if you keep in mind how they are guaranteed to last you for nearly a lifetime. A personal favorite – and a favorite of many top chefs all around the world – this product is an excellent investment.
Hamilton Beach: 64650 6-Speed Classic Stand Mixer, Stainless Steel
This product is brought to you by Hamilton Beach, a leading figure in the kitchen appliances industry. Made of brushed, stainless steel, the Hamilton Beach Classic Chrome Hand/Stand Mixer is a highly versatile tool – it is basically an interchangeable hand/stand mixer all in one. It has six different speeds and a quick burst option and comes with a 4 qt. shift and stir bowl. And you should not worry: The bowl rest mixer stabilizer will definitely keep the bowl in place while the mixer does its magic. There is also the option of adjusting the width and that the mixers hit bowl at – meaning more towards the edge or more towards the middle. Finally, the product is capable of reaching 290 Watts of peak power to make mixing fast and easy. All in all, it is very easy to clean up, due to the materials that have been used for the product’s creation. At the price of $31.99, Hamilton Beach’s mixer is really a bargain.
Mrs. Anderson’s Baking: Silicone 9-Inch Round Cake Pan Baking Mold, BPA Free, Non-Stick European-Grade Silicone, 9.5 x 2.25-Inches
Georgette Anderson, one of America’s most innovative home bakers, brings you this product from her collection of baking accessories. The cake pan is made from 100% European-grade silicone, which guarantees it will maintain its elasticity and flexibility far longer than normal, making it significantly stronger and more durable to the everyday stresses and strains of cooking. It will maintain its non-stick property in a very wide range of temperatures, ranging from -40 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and for more uses than other cake molds. The product is also completely BPA free, and able to get easily cleaned up in a dishwasher.
Nine inches big, it is ideal for baking birthday cakes, layer cakes, cheesecakes, coffee cakes and cornbread amongst others. Despite being a little on the small side, this cake pan will never let your creations stick, and best of all the sides of your cakes won’t burn. What’s great is how inexpensive the cape pan is: Currently on sale, it’s listed at $9.68 – a 35% cost reduction from its original price. Make sure to check this out.
Handstand Kitchen: 17-piece Introduction to Baking Set for Kids
Created in 2007, by law school graduate Yvette Garfield, Handstand Kitchen is a company that was created for inspiring kids to experience a hands-on cooking experience and learn new cooking skills. This set is introductory, and specifically designed with kids of four years old or older in mind: They will quickly get interested in the art of cooking and get involved in the process.
The set currently includes seventeen pieces. Amongst them are included a spatula, a pastry brush, a mixing spoon, a silicone loaf pan and six silicone baking cups. There is a rolling pin, a whisk and five recipe cards – apple crisp crumble, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate dipped shortbread cookies, very vanilla cupcakes and fresh strawberry frosting.
Beautifully boxed, and priced at just $24.99, this package is an excellent investment and gift for your little ones. Every parent that buys this will discover than cookies and milk get much more when they are made with the help of their kids.
World Kitchen: Pyrex Smart Essentials 8-Piece Mixing Bowl Set With Free Bakers Secret Spatula (Bundle)
The World Kitchen is a kitchenware products maker and distributor company, owning a very large list of product brands. This particular product, the Pyrex smart essentials eight piece mixing bowl set, is a very useful addition to all kitchens. It can be used when cooking, when baking, when storing food and even as a serving bowl for your dinner table.
Completely BPA-free, made from Pyrex glass that is nonporous and thus not susceptible to warp, stain or odor absorption of odors and also preheated oven, microwave, fridge, freezer and dishwasher safe, this package has very high value. The lids fit very tight and the bowls have a lip to allow secure gripping. Moreover, the great size variety ensures the package is highly versatile and covers pretty much all your cooking needs. It’s currently listed at $28.15, a complete bargain of a price. A product we would easily recommend if you are on a tight budget and want a buck for your money.
Hamilton Beach: Power Elite Multi-Function Blender with Glass Jar and Chopper
Another product manufactured by Hamilton Beach, the Power Elite Multi-Function Blender does far more than just blend, as its name suggests. Pushing your blending options a step or two further, it lets you blend in the larger-capacity jar or convert to a convenient chopper. It is equipped with both blending and chopping powerful blades. Able to reach a 700 watt peak power, the blender will make short work of crushing ice and blending frozen fruit, letting you make delicious frozen drinks at any time you desire. It is definitely an exceptional choice for anyone who loves smoothies, shakes or icy drinks. You just add the liquid and the other ingredients and blend – and there’s also that: there’s twelve (!) blending settings.
The package is completely dishwater save, and is made for easy storage – when finished, the cord fits into the bottom of the blender to save space. In addition, a no-mess pour spout is featured, with a hinged cap for easy pouring. Coming with a three year limited warranty, and priced at just $34,52, Hamilton Beach’s product will do wonders for you. If you like morning smoothies or post workout shakes, this is an excellent choice for you. Check it out – you will thank us later.
Good Cook: Classic Wood Rolling Pin
The Good Cook Co. was first established in 1999 by Caroline Yates. Since then, the company has manufactured a great number of kitchenware and cooking products to provide you the best experience and results possible. This rolling pin is made of high quality genuine hardwood with nylon bearings and is a one piece barrel construction. It can be used for rolling pizzas or delicious pies. It’s neither thick nor thin, with a diameter of roughly 2”. In length, it is roughly seventeen and a half inches – an appropriate size for most kinds of baking.
The only downside is that it’s somewhat sticky in the middle due to the tape used for the label. It takes quite a bit of washing and scrubbing for a few minutes to get it off before using. After that’s done, you’re bound to be pleased and satisfied by how it feels and works. Especially consider how it only costs $9.74, currently.
Mrs. Anderson’s: Baking Silicone 6-Cup Jumbo Muffin Pan, Baking Mold, BPA Free, Non-Stick European-Grade Silicone, 11 x 7.5 x 2-Inches
Another product brought to you by Mrs. Georgette Anderson, this silicone, six cup muffin pan baking mold will allow you to create the most delicious treats for your family and friends – it is great for making muffins, cupcakes, popovers, mini cheesecakes, gelatins and more. It is of a very sturdy design yet flexes, so that you can pop out foods with ease. It is naturally non-stick for quick food release and easy, non-messy cleaning – a simple dishwasher will do. It is safe for use in the freezer, the microwave and oven – up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
Perhaps most importantly, it is made from 100% European grade silicone, which makes it more flexible and durable, able to maintain its original shape and non-stick qualities, its elasticity and flexibility, despite heavy use. Do take now that the non-stick property is maintained in a range of temperatures, ranging from -40 degrees to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. It is currently priced at $12.14. Effective yet inexpensive.
YIHONG: 22-in-1 Cupcake Frosting Icing Piping Tips and Bags Set, Decorating Tip Kit with 17 Icing Tips
This cake decorating package, brought to you by YIHONG Life, has everything. It includes four jumbo tips, twelve regular tips, one Bismarck tip, two pastry bags – 18” and 12” respectively – 2 couplers, big and small, one cleaning brush and one tip chart. There are numbers engraved on each tip, so that you will easily be able to find video tutorials and instructional blogs, if the included hard-copy instructional pamphlet is not enough for you.
The piping bags are reusable, sturdy and flexible. They are also very easy to clean – there’s a cleaning brush as an addition. The couplers also work exactly as advertised. There’s great variety in the tips.
Everything seems to be made of 18/8 food grade, durable stainless steel with no seam, FAD approved. It is rust-free and dishwasher safe. The packaging is also low waste and no hassle. With a deal dropping the price to just $10.99, and a staggering 4.8 out of 5 stars current rating on amazon, it really seems like YIHONG went an extra mile (or two) to create an amazing product. If you’re into cake decorating, we really cannot recommend this enough.