Baking bread is relatively simple and easy than other bakery items. However, the right culinary tools have to be used in order to make it easier and achieve near professional results. Baking is a science as much as an art. Therefore, precise measurements, proper ingredients and the right tools are equally important for the baking process. So here are some of the basic tools you will need when baking bread at home.
Freshly-milled flour
You have to select the best quality and fresh ingredients to get the best out of your effort. So if you choose freshly-milled flour, your bread will taste way better than the store-brought stuff.
Scale
You have to get your measurements right. This will help you greatly improve the accuracy and consistency. This is where the scale is important. The scale is also essential when you need to divide the dough into smaller loaves to create identical batches.
Kitchen thermometer
This will help you ensure the bread’s doneness inside and also to check water temperature to put yeast for fermentation process.
Bench/Bowl scraper
Bench scraper helps to keep your countertop clean. It is also perfect for lifting and folding sticky dough and cut the dough into portions.
Mixing bowls
Any bowl can be used to mixing up the ingredients. However, a clear and a graduated container will help you keep an eye on a proofing dough.
Professional stand mixer
You can easily mix and knead the dough without breaking a sweat using a professional stand mixer. This will get the job done perfectly.
Proofing basket
This basket is designed to help keep the shape of your bread during the final proof and promote higher rise. Proofing baskets which are also known as sourdough baskets come in many shapes and sizes for you to choose from.
Loaf pan
This pan is ideal if you’re planning to make sandwich bread. If it’s a no kneed method, you can use a cast iron loaf pan or Dutch oven.
Oven thermometer
An oven thermometer will accurately indicate the exact temperature inside your oven despite what is displayed on the oven.
Cooling rack
A cooling tray is essential to let your piping hot loaves to cool down quickly with a good circulation.
Starter
If you don’t have your own sourdough starter, you can get some from a local bakery or online.
Serrated bread knife
Don’t let your precious loaf of bread get ruined because of an improper knife after all that work you put into it. So, choose a good bread knife or any large serrated knife to cut into your crusty and fluffy loaf of bread.
Peel
Use a wooden peel to get your perfectly proofed bread safely out of the oven.
Baking steel
This will turn the oven rack into a flat surface to distribute heat evenly.
Choose your tools carefully and use the right techniques and you will get the perfect loaf of bread which will complement the hard work you put in making it.