Before mastering the art of baking, getting familiarized with what is mixing tools in baking is needed. They are your best friends to help you bake with ease, confidence, and good results. A well-equipped baking environment is one that has a complete set of the different mixing tools in baking. As we begin to get familiarized with each mixing tool, let’s find out first, what is mixing tools in baking?
Mixing tools are manual, electric or motorized materials that help mix wet or dry mixtures such as batter or dough. It may also be containers or tubs where it allows for thorough mixing of dry ingredients as well as wet mixtures. A perfect example of this is a mixing bowl. Read on and know what is mixing tools in baking and learn what their specific purposes are:
Mixing Bowls
- Basic, common and essential tool in mixing
- Often made in stainless steel, but plastic ones are also used
- may be used in mixing wet or dry ingredients (batter and dough)
- comes in different sizes so that you get to choose depending on your baking needs
- Easy to acquire as major baking shops, markets, and kitchenware stores sell them
Whisks
- used for dry mixing of ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder)
- may come in plastic or stainless steel
- Food-safe rubber whisks are now being sold in markets
- Also used in regular home cooking for mixing recipe ingredients or making a fluffy scrambled egg
- Markets and other kitchenware stores sell them with prices depending on their sizes and quality
Sieve
- Also called ‘sifter.’
- needed to ensure lump-free and smooth batter by sifting dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, cocoa, etc.)Through it before mixing them with any wet ingredients (water, milk, melted butter, etc.)
- comes in different sizes and materials (plastic or stainless steel)
- are found locally in markets and kitchenware shops
Spatula
- Functions in ‘folding in’ of dry ingredients in making a batter
- may also be used in scraping to collect scattered batter on the sides of a bowl/container where the batter is mixed up; this is effective in spatulas made with rubber
- Wooden spatulas are also used for stirring ingredients even in ordinary cooking at home
- Wooden spatulas are cheaper than rubber ones
- Spatulas are common in stores and markets
Wooden Spoon
- Multipurpose may be used for stirring, to fold ingredients into the batter or to clear the sides of a bowl or container where the batter has scattered
- found locally in baking stores and markets
Pastry Blender
- Handles are made with wood and wire strips are attached on each side of the handle
- used in mixing ingredients for pastries
- Useful for making pie crusts, breaking the shortening into smaller pieces and mixing solid fat into the flour
Here below is an enumeration of what is mixing tools in baking that possess electric or motorized application:
Food Processors
- An electric tool similar to a blender but differs by its interchangeable blades each designed specifically for a different purpose like chopping, pureeing, shredding, blending and kneading dough
- It is possible to chop even nuts using this
- can be purchased in major appliance stores, kitchenware shops or may be ordered online
- Prices vary from the brand, sizes and quality
Electric Blenders
- used to blend or make pureed ingredients
- may be used for blending ripe fruits as flavors of cakes or pies (banana cakes)
- Also great for blending herbs for a more nutritious and healthy recipe
- sold in major markets at a varying price depending on size, brand, and quality
Electric Mixers
Handheld Mixer
- used as an electric alternative to a whisk
- comes with two pairs of changeable attachments (1 pair of dough hooks and one pair of whisk mixer)
- Dough hooks are intended for kneading dough while mixing whisks are for the batter
- sold in baking stores, kitchenware shops or online
- Prices vary by brand, sizes and quality
Stand-Alone Mixer
- fit for use by seasoned bakers or for busy baking times
- Electrically used which comes with a stand, mixing bowl and two pairs of mixing hooks and whisks
- Appropriate for a more heavy-duty mixing than a handheld one
- Convenient for use because there is no need for holding it while mixing thus it is called ‘stand-alone mixer’
- Ingredients are placed onto the mixing bowl and mixing may begin
- needs monitoring at all times while in use
- Available in major appliance stores and baking supplies shops, also sold online with varying prices, sizes and quality
Commercial Mixer
- For commercial use where heavy duty mixing of larger batches of the batter is done
Keep on Rolling
Even though some people have the skills and flair for this craft, a great factor that determines successful outcomes in baking is the tools they use. A seasoned baker or even a novice succeeds by knowing what is mixing tools in baking. If you still haven’t completed your mixing tools, invest in them gradually as these are assets in your baking venture. Find out more about mixing tools.
Also, get these kitchen must-haves from our friends from jbKlutse!