"Wooden spoons are great," says Jennifer Bartos. And she certainly should know. As a baking supply expert, Bartos is the owner and operator of the All in One Bakery.
"Wooden spoons are inexpensive," she says. "I like to buy very inexpensive wooden spoons and replace them often."
Entire sets of wooden spoons can be found in some dollar or discount stores for a buck or two per set. Once the spoons begin to splinter or wear on the edges, however, it's definitely time for a brand new set. Dishwashers can be hard on wooden spoons, so if you're intent on keeping your set in tip top shape, opt to wash them buy hand,at least some of the time. This will save on wear and tear.
Bartos also swears by using modern, brightly colored silicone spatulas.
"Silicone spatulas are extremely durable," she says. "If you're busy mixing something like chocolate or sugar or something that's really hot,you can use your silicone spatula to mix it with. Most silicone utensils can withstand temperatures of up to 600 degrees."
Silicone spatulas are more expensive than wooden spoons, but also can last a lifetime when cared for properly. Decent silicone spatulas can be purchased for as little as $5 a piece, and can perform a variety of functions. From mixing batter for baking and scraping that same batter from the mixing bowl to a greased pan,to stirring a sizzling stir fry of vegetables and chicken in a hot skillet,there is almost nothing that a silicone spatula can't do. They are well worth the investment. And the bright colors and sleek look and feel of these utensils make them lots of fun to use.
In addition to wooden and silicone utensils, stainless steel options are available as well. While a bit costly and extremely durable, these aren't always the best options for beginning bakers. In addition to becoming extremely hot, they can actually damage the interior of mixing bowls, baking pans and other cookware.
Watch for sales on wooden and silicone cooking utensils and stock up when they're available at a good price. Beginning bakers should have several of whichever type they choose,with a variety of sizes and handle lengths. This is one example where the adage "less is more" definitely does not apply. In this instance the uses and number of times per day such utensils are put into action make a very strong case for one of the oldest adages of all times,the more the merrier!
