If you are here to start baking, we welcome you on this amazing journey! Baking is a part of cooking that takes a lot of patience and experiments to get better at it.
However, with the right utensils and tools, you can make significant improvements. Now, as a novice baker, it can be overwhelming as to how and where you should start.
That’s why we are here to make it easy for you with a list of essential baking tools for beginners. Out of all types of utensils, we’ve narrowed it down to 10 basic utensils that can help you begin your journey smoothly and also help you improve exponentially. So let’s begin!
Top 10 Essential Baking Tools for Beginners
Here we have compiled the 10 baking tools you will need as a beginner.
1. Measurement Cups and Spoons
Measurement tools come first in baking because, in all honesty, assumptions can cause great mistakes. A little bit of here and there can lead to a runny pastry or an undercooked or overcooked muffin. So measuring tools need to be carefully chosen.
As a beginner, look for tools that could be stainless steel as it’s known for perfect measurements. You can also look for multiple sets of cups and spoons, but starting off with 10 to 14 sets should work. Initially, you should start with ¼, ½, 1, 2 units.
Consider the conversions you are going to make while baking. It’d be wiser to have a different set of converted tools. However, if you are tight on a budget, don’t worry about it. Go with the ones you like the most.
2. Mixer and/or Sets of Whisks
The mixer comes before whisking for a reason. You can obviously start with a set of whisks, but as you try to improve with a larger amount of ingredients, the mixer is a must. The evenly mixed dough will give you the preferred texture, and for that, the mixer has no alternatives.
You will find sturdy, easily adjustable mixers at an affordable price too. Consider buying a hand or stand mixer depending on your budget and time you have. A hand mixer will need you to hold the mixer, whereas a stand mixer can mix the dough on its own while you work on other steps while baking.
Additionally, it’s nice to have a set of whisks in case of “technical difficulties”. Jokes aside, beginners usually start with a small number of ingredients, or if you are low on budget, buy a pair of whisks. It can also help you mix the eggs lightly with consistency.
3. Baking Trays, Pans, and Tins
Baking trays and pans are some of the most essentials you should consider buying. These alone can make a huge difference in your result. It is recommended to buy the ones with heavier bottoms as it ensures even temperature distribution.
Hence you get evenly textured food. Aluminum trays have high heat conductivity, so go for that. Similarly, pans and tins made of aluminum, silicon, or nonstick can work, but it’s recommended to buy the heavy bottom ones for better texture.
They can also be found in different shapes and sizes, but as a beginner, you should buy basic shapes of every type, such as one circle, one or two rectangles, one square, etc. Check out some of the top baking pans for beginners.
4. Mixing Bowls
There is never enough mixing bowls when it comes to baking. But finding the right kind and shape is important. As a novice, you can buy one or two sets, but you need two types of bowls.
Consider buying stainless steel or plastic sets for the non-heatproof ones. For heatproof, buying glass bowls would be better as you can also see through it and make sure the ingredients look good inside the bowls.
Glass bowls are also good for not absorbing stains. On the other hand, stainless steel can keep the ingredient cooler than anything and also makes the egg whites rise, which can make your cakes moist and softer.
5. Oven Thermometer
One of the tools that are often not mentioned enough, but it is actually very important. While baking, sometimes you’ll notice even if you follow the steps in recipes, the result wasn’t the same, and it’s often because of the temperature. Ovens can give inaccurate temperatures more than you think.
A precise temperature can give your pastry the perfect moistness and texture, and it’s very important to be aware of it from the beginning. Otherwise, you’ll end up with undercooked or overcooked items.
There is no recommended oven thermometer. However, consider the ones with longer sticks at the end for cakes and pastries. In the end, buy the one that goes with your budget.
6. Parchment Papers
Parchment papers can give your items an even and smooth surface like the professional bakers. Trays and pans often get dry, which can make your cookies or pastries stick to the bottom. To prevent sticking, there’s no alternative than parchments.
You can find the brown see-through parchments that are both grease and moisture-proof and so it doesn’t need any more oil, which can save your time. They are also heatproof and help to peel off easily.
Whichever you choose, make sure not to buy very low-quality ones as they get burnt easily. It should be okay to use one paper for 3-4 bakes.
7. Spatulas
Let’s get one thing out of the way; you can’t replace spatulas with regular cooking spoons while baking. This is an essential item that can give you smooth items and help you stir or spread out the cream, chocolate syrups, decorating items, etc. You can buy silicone or plastic spatulas.
It’s recommended to buy the silicone spatulas as they can work in high temperatures and mix ingredients without deflating air. Usually, 9-12 inches of spatulas will work.
8. Cooling Rack
It often comes with a microwave oven, or if you have an alternative, you can skip this part. But if not, you need this tool for multiple purposes. Without proper air circulation, the items can get very soggy and eventually crack or even break. To prevent this, a cooling rack is needed.
9. Weighing Scale
Digital scales can help you measure the ingredient in the most precise way possible. A little bit of more or less can make your items soggy, overcooked, burnt, or just not the perfect texture.
Even though measurement cups and spoons are supposed to work, but in terms of weighing in other units or weighing the liquids, a scale is needed.
In this case, you need to buy a long-lasting one that is also portable and easily cleanable. The digital scale would be better but mechanical ones can work too.
10. Piping Bags and Nozzles
Since you are beginning a new journey, why not have some fun decorating items? In terms of buying these items, you need to consider the aftermath of decoration. Would you like to clean frosting out of a bag? If not, go with disposable bags.
But with plastic bags, you’ll struggle with keeping the cream together and putting the frosting in a focused area. Metal nozzles are undoubtedly the best ones out there. It gives you more control. Whatever you buy, try to go with the stronger, easy-to-clean, and long-lasting option.
Conclusion
Baking is supposed to be a fun journey of your life. Why not buy colorful, handy tools to make yourself feel more passionate about it? It will take a while to get familiar with your skills and understand the bakery items.
But to start your journey, the essential baking tools for beginners we listed are enough to bake eye-catching items from the beginning. That, too, within a budget! Start this beautiful journey by buying the tools, and we hope you flourish as you bake.