6 of the best...Pieces of Kitchen Equipment

When you're putting together your collection of kitchen utensils, you will work out what you cook the most and what kitchen equipment you will need that best suits your style. However, as I do a lot of baking and it is my speciality, I have listed my top 6 pieces of kitchen equipment that every keen baker should have.

Rubber Spatula

Titter ye not, rubber spatulas are essential when you're baking! They get every single scrap of ingredient out of the bowl, and are perfect for bending around difficult shaped receptacles like the inside of a food processor. I like to have mine in bright colours to brighten up my utensil pot.

Electronic Scales

Another essential, weighing ingredients is of paramount importance when you're baking. Too much or too little of something and the recipe could go horribly wrong. My scales weigh in many different measures, and come with the option of placing your bowl on, and then pressing zero to start weighing. You can also zero once you've placed the first ingredient in the bowl so you can weight all of your ingredients in the same bowl. They may not be as pretty as a traditional kitchen scales, but you will find your recipes will improve with electronic accuracy.

Palette knife

Essental for spreading butter icing, I couldn't do without one! In fact I have three, all in different sizes. A little one for icing cupcakes, a middle sized one for filling and covering a middle sized cake and bigger one for bigger cakes! You could use just a normal eating knife, but you don't get a smooth finish and the outside can look a bit rustic. However, if this is the look you're going for then carry on!

KitchenAid

Not just an essential piece of equipment, it also looks beautiful on the counter. Not just a food mixer, you can buy so many extra attachments for it, it becomes a one-stop for just about every kitchen task you may have. They come in so many gorgeous colours now, you have a hard task to pick your favourite. But mine is the duck egg blue one...!

Cake Tins

The right sized cake tin for the recipe makes everything 100% easier. A helpful tip from Mary Berry is to write the sizes on the bottom of the tins in permanent pen, as this way you wont have to measure them every time you get them out of the cupboard (something I must get around to doing!) I favour the loose bottomed cake tins, as they make everything so much easier when you're getting the cake out of the tin. A springform tin is also a must for making other delicious treats like cheesecake!

Measuring Spoons

Just like electronic scales, measuring spoons are essential for accurate measurements of small amounts of ingredients. However, most electronic scales are so accurate that they are capable of measuring such small amounts, but for baking powder, vanilla essence and salt, these are essential. Again, a brightly coloured set will brighten up any utensil drawer.