Jennifer Bartos owns and operates the All in One Bake Shop. She is an expert in baking supplies. Her very first choice of mixing bowl is the stainless steel version.
"Personally, my favorite is stainless steel mixing bowls; and preferably the nesting kind where one has a variety of sizes from which to choose. Stainless steel is a heavy material and isn't as likely to move around while you're busy mixing," Bartos says.
If an entire set of bowls isn't in the beginner baker's budget, Bartos recommends her tried and true standard.
"The size I use the most is a 12-inch bowl," she says.
Mixing bowls can also serve as make shift double boilers when needed. Topping a pan of simmering water with a mixing bowl,made either of stainless steel or glass,can allow for smooth melting and mixing of cheeses, chocolate and other necessary ingredients. Be sure to note that the simmering water underneath the bowl can cause serious burns,both from steam and contact with the bowl, so be certain to use appropriate hand protection at all times. Standard fabric potholders work well, as do the innovative and brightly colored silicone versions.
In defense of glass mixing bowls, they provide the option of warming ingredients in the oven. This is something that isn't recommended in stainless steel mixing bowls. From heating a bowl that will mix butter and sugar to keeping a sauce or mixture warm prior to serving,glass bowls free up stove to space and are suitable for many different uses in the oven.
Both types of mixing bowls are comparable in price. From a very few dollars per bowl to hundreds of dollars per set,there are multiple options available when purchasing mixing bowls for the beginning baker.
Have you ever wondered about the practicality of those tiny,almost too small to make any sense,kinds of mixing bowls? They do in fact serve a purpose. Their depth and small size make them ideal for beating an egg without slopping it over the sides. A cereal bowl might serve such a purpose, but not with the flawlessness of an actual mixing bowl. They are also perfect for sifting small amounts of dry ingredients and spices, without sending the dust flying. Another option for these tiny treasures is their excellence when mixing baking soda with liquids, and the ease with which they pour into larger mixing bowls.
Regardless of your decision when equipping your beginner baking kitchen with mixing bowls, be sure to keep this in mind. Mixing bowls aren't a fad. They aren't just a new idea in baking. They're a tried and true staple that bakers have used and will use for centuries to come. It might be wise to invest in a long lasting set.
