A bowl and stiring spoon are the most basic tools needed for baking.
The only tools a baker truly needs is heat, a bowl and something to mix with. However, for the baker attempting something larger than campfire stove biscuits, there are a few essential items to make baking easier and to produce better results. While top quality items can cost a lot at specialty cooking stores, these items can be found in basic brands at supermarkets or large superstores. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Whisk
A whisk is one most necessary tools for a baker. While batters can be mixed together with a simple spoon, a whisk allows for air incorporation, which is important when an electric mixer is not available. Whisks are ideal for whipping and beating eggs for custards, meringue and even simple batters. Both traditional metal whisks and rubber silicon whisks can work.
Bowls
Though it may seem an obvious tool, it is important for a baker to have a variety of bowls in different materials and sizes. Stainless steal and glass bowls are the best for baking as they do not warp or take on flavors. However, if you do have stainless steal bowls, you must also have glass or plastic bowls since metal reacts unfavorably with the yeast. Metal is also not recommended for mixing recipes that contain citric acid (citrus) because the metal reacts with the acid and alters the flavor.
Measuring Tools
Measuring tools include a cup and spoon measurements for measuring flours, baking powder and soda, salt, liquids, spices, essences and all other ingredients. Liquid and dry ingredients cannot be measured using the same type of measuring cup; one cup of flour does not equal the same measurement as one cup of milk. Most dry measuring tools are cups split into whole, half, third and quarter sizes. The spoons range from tablespoon, teaspoon, half, quarter and eighth of a teaspoon. Liquid measuring tools look more like carafes or pitchers with a pour spout and have measurements listed in milliliters and quarts. An alternative to cup measurement is a digital kitchen scale.
Forms and Pans
In order to bake the item, it has to be placed on or in something before entering the oven. The most basic of baking pans and forms include a straight flat cookie sheet for cookies, candies, bread, rolls and other pastries, an eight- or nine-inch basic cake round, cupcake form pan and a basic loaf pan for both yeast loafs and quick breads.
Liners
Liners are crucial for keeping baked items from sticking to the pans and forms. Parchment paper is the most basic of all liners; it can be spread flat on a cookie sheet, rolled along the sides of a cake or loaf pan, and stuffed into muffin tins. Other forms of liners include silicon baking pads and premade cupcake liners.
Electric Tools
Though not a necessity for bakers, electric tools do make baking easier and produce high-quality results. Among the countless number of electric kitchen gadgets, the ones to focus on include a stand mixer or basic egg beater and food processor for chopping and grinding ingredients. Hand chopping can only get an item to a certain grind; for finely ground ingredients such as almond powder, a processor is necessary. Whipping egg whites is a common procedure in baking, and whipping by hand is strenuous and takes a lot of time and energy.
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