Reddit mentions: The best pastry & basting brushes

Okay so I know you said under $5 but this is just a few cents over. I hope this can count. It's a garlic masher. Who DOESN'T want one of those?! Keep all the stinky off your hands and get a perfect mince for cooking?! It's like, heaven. I hate chopping garlic.

Also, my father is a huge griller and he swears by perfection with a meat thermometer. Getting the perfect cook every time, keep your family and friends happy :) and only $3.60.

I have a silicone basting brush at home and I LOVE IT. And it's only $2.00.

Some people don't have one of these but I love having it in my sink because it keeps all the nasty food from clogging up my drains. Into the garbage where you belong!

I noticed you had a cocktail shaker on there. Great for people who want shaken, but how about stirred drinks? Do it with something fun!

Also, make the perfect drinks with perfect pours. Jiggers make it easy if you're not an experienced bartender.

I've found some cool things for myself as well! Everyone benefits :)

While they're a fantastic tool, a stand mixer is expensive. However, having a mixer on hand can be insanely useful. A decent handheld mixer can do the job for way less. Aside from that, these would be my suggestions.

1.) Knives. Get something decent and try to learn to keep them sharp. you don't need a huge knife block, 2 or 3 basics will do the trick. A small and large basic knife and a serrated knife will be plenty to start with. A set of basic cutting boards to go with these as well. Get more than one because you shouldn't cut raw meat on the same board as cooked meat or veggies and so on.

2.) Measuring tools. 1 set of measuring cups, 1 set of measuring spoons, 1 liquid measuring cup. I prefer metal for the first two and pyrex for the last. In my experience the numbers wear off the plastic ones pretty quickly and they stain. And yes you need all 3, liquids are measured differently than solids.

3.) Graduated mixing bowls. Pyrex are also great for these. I have this set and they have served me well.

4.) Pans. These really depend on what you want to do. If you want to focus more on cooking start off with a few basics. A larger stock pot, a sauce pan, one or two frying pans (i prefer to have multiple sizes) and some basic pans for the oven. A 13x9 metal or glass pan is a must have for me as well as an 8x8 or 9x9 square pan. If you want to bake as well you'll need to add cookie sheets and possibly a few more specialized items like muffin pans. Nonstick is sometimes frowned upon by chefs and cooks, but truth be told they're fine for most applications. Personally, I highly recommend against silicone pans. In my experience they smell foul and are a pain to clean.

5.) Utensils. Do not get the cheap shitty plastic set. Just don't. It's a waste of money. I cannot count how many cheap plastic spatulas I've thrown out because they melted or peeled or something. Go with silicone instead. You can use metal, but keep in mind metal tools+nonstick pans=scratched ruined pans. (This does not apply to spatulas used for things like stirring or spreading frosting btw, only to ones you will use on your stove). As for as what you'll need, I would suggest a set of wooden mixing spoons, and a set like this that includes the basic items; a normal spoon, a slotted spoon, a turner, and a pasta fork.

6.) Specialty utensils. Once again, these depend on what you want to do. Whisks are handy for a lot of things and a box grater comes in handy. A silicone pastry brush is nice for certain things and easier to clean than a normal one. A basic strainer was something I didn't realize how useful it was til I got it.

8.) Other Basics: Oven mits, towels, kitchen twine, tupperware in multiple sizes, egg separator, can/bottle opener.

9.) A basic cookbook. I'm a huge fan of this edition of the BH&G cookbook. On top of a lot of basic, fun recipes it includes a lot of extra information about tools, techniques, and some nifty tips and substitutions. I have a separate binder of my own recipes, but this is my most referenced cookbook.

What sorts of food are you hoping to learn to cook? I can expand on any of this depending on your interests.

• Mini silicone spatulas-- really useful for cleaning out narrow jars of jam, etc. They come in fun colors and sometimes even patterns.
  
  
• I really love this lemon juicer (this particular one is from Martha Stewart's kitchen line). The juicing bit is very pointy and it's small and compact, unlike the old fashioned glass ones. Obviously it's not well suited for making orange juice, but is very convenient for recipes that call for lemons and limes, especially with the measurement ticks on the side.
  
  
• A handheld zoodle maker
  
  
• This silicone brush in particular. Unlike other silicone basting brushes it has a center core of flat plastic with little circles, which allows it to hold onto more oil/liquid, according to Alton Brown. It has worked well for us so far and has the benefit of being easy to clean and heat resistant, plus no stray bristles come off in your food.
  
  
• If she likes experimenting with things like bento boxes or candy making, some novelty rice molds/silicone candy molds themed to her others interests would always make a cute gift!

I love how happy your pup is about the snow! These pictures brought a smile to my face. I'm sorry he is gone, but these are a lovely way to remember <3

If I had a snow day, I would practice my GBBO bake-along! These pastry paint brushes would allow me to practice pastry painting! Or I'd snuggle up and watch The Emperor's New Groove with my SO because it is a fantastic movie and I haven't watched it in too long.

Thank you for hosting this contest. I hope you enjoy your snow day!

Happy Birthday!! Mine was Saturday and it was awesome!!!! :) Hope you've got some fun birthday things planned!!

I'd like this basting brush if I win!

Thanks for the contest!

You do not need to spend a lot of money, a local restaurant supply store will is ideal for most everything from knives to turners, tongs, bottles, containers and anything else you can think of. I prefer plastic handles as they are easier to keep clean, and do not degrade.

For thermometers and digital probes, i prefer thermoworks. I use the smoke and instapen, but you can go with a thermopop if you want to save money. Tried other brands, they always end up having issues after a year or two. digital probes will go bad if left in water or the dish washer always hand clean them and keep them dry.

Gloves: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00547HD0O?aaxitk=-OsIXMdbU5xm990c49xMVw&pd_rd_i=B00547HD0O&pf_rd_p=9420597b-7dad-4cbd-a28d-7d676ac67378&hsa_cr_id=6490199610301&sb-ci-n=productDescription&sb-ci-v=Lincoln%20Electric%20Traditional%20MIG%2FStick%20Welding%20Gloves%20%7C%2014%22%20Lined%20Leather%20%7C%20Kevlar%20Stitching%20%7C%20K2979-ALL

Turner/scraper/chopper Kit, better then a bbq set: https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Griddle-Spatula-Set-Accessories/dp/B072MXWDD6?ref_=bl_dp_s_web_15251668011

Tongs: https://www.amazon.com/Weber-6610-Original-Tongs/dp/B005LR0EX0/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=weber+16+tongs&qid=1563625923&s=gateway&sr=8-1

general use pans, drip pans: https://www.amazon.com/Pack-Aluminum-Foil-Steam-Table/dp/B01MSM1A9S/ref=sr_1_3?crid=35NPTHWHGZNHX&keywords=disposable+aluminum+foil+pans&qid=1563626111&s=gateway&sprefix=disposable+alum%2Caps%2C185&sr=8-3

Basting Brush, small and large: https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-Silicone-Basting-Pastry/dp/B000JPSI8C/ref=sr_1_5?gclid=CjwKCAjw98rpBRAuEiwALmo-yud7UIxolmtKdRasRuEKzcyOrRiShPTVMisacAeErYWSmVHvxH30qBoC9ikQAvD_BwE&hvadid=153655172136&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9030030&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=16058826801725890434&hvtargid=kwd-2007025443&hydadcr=13935_9329092&keywords=nylon+basting+brush&qid=1563626490&s=gateway&sr=8-5

So, kind of weird, but hear me out. I recently picked up a silicon scrubber in the kitchen section of BB&B (like this) and its a brush cleaning game changer. I use a little dilute castille soap (oil based so it won't dry out the brush hair) with it and it deep cleans the brush, then helps separate the bristles to wash out the soap. It can also help wick water off the brush hairs to dry faster and save the glue. I'm in love.

Yeah, definitely! When I make the sauce the day before, I also mix up 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil and 1.5 tbsp minced garlic. Letting it sit together overnight helps the garlic flavor infuse into the oil.

So when the pizza comes out of the oven, first thing I do is drizzle the garlic/oil mix overtop using a silicone basting brush like this. Then I throw some oregano and Romano/Parmesan cheese overtop.

Everything I'm doing is straight from the Pizza Bible, which was incredibly helpful to me as I'm just beginning, and I highly recommend it.

My favorite toy is a bit out of the ordinary, and I think you need to play with one firsthand to really understand. It's a silicone dish sponge. It's very visually stimulating as you flex and bend it, and also very manually stimulating with all of the rubbery bristles on it. Strangers always seem so confused as to what it is/why you're playing with it until you hand it over. Next think you know they're lost in a dang dish sponge. Here's a link to a similar one: https://www.amazon.com/Kuhn-Rikon-Clean-Silicone-Scrubber/dp/B019PYOAB6

I've used these basting brushes (Amazon) since way back. They work great for a quick clean. Even a rubber dome keyboard deserves a good scrub on occasion.

On my wish list is the Kalita wave dripper, as I've heard the notes you get from using it are different from a Chemex (my brewer of choice). I also have an aeropress on the list too.

Also, there's nothing like a good espresso brush... they have to be replaced frequently (like once every two months or so), so having them as stocking stuffers is nice.

Lastly, my favorite tool is the Bonavita variable temperature kettle, which lets me get a consistent brew temp every time and has a gooseneck for a controlled pour.

I put a small amount in the pan and then use a silicone brush to spread it around! I'm able to create a super thin layer of oil. Then I never add anything until the pan is evenly hot - that way when the food hits the pan, the water on the surface vaporizes against the hot oil and creates an instant barrier.

We match two things! Spatulas and Basting Brushes

Thanks for the contest. :)

Here's my current preferences


The Miracle coils will be milky but shouldn't have any throat hit unless you have spicy concentrates or accidental burnt stuff on it.


I haven't found any small tools for dropping my rice grain outside the standard 2 ended spatulas. I tend to use my silicone tips only to clean the inside of my caps for splatter. I load by using the small and then warming the material off the spatula and dropping it on the coil. After all the practice loading the smaller target on the Omicron, hitting the trench on the Sai has been EZ mode.


Edit: damn you autocorrect. Fixed the grammer errors.

I have this all the time with cooking things. Silicon basting brush, and mixing bowls. Yeah, sure, I managed fine without them, but now that I have them I use them multiple times per week. In the past year, I also bought a Lodge cast iron dutch oven and a Le Creuset enamelled dutch oven, and I use them both so often I don't even bother putting them away.

Possibly something like this? Stay Clean Sponge. Whatever it was, I want one now.

There are these silicone things meant as scrubbies that work pretty well to remove fur, but they are rather small (sponge sized).

Looks like a cooking/baking brush.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wood-Pure-Bristle-Pastry-Brush/dp/B002DV0VAS

Alton Brown recommends this kind with the silicone piece in the middle to pick up more of whatever you're brushing. Have you tried these kinds?

I am guessing this pastry brush. That item looks mighty fine!

Same grinder. We only load in the beans we're going to grind for that cup and sweep them out every single time with a round bristle brush like this:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001T4SJL8

It was a drag at first, but it's become automatic. Otherwise there's always stuff hanging around in there.

http://www.amazon.com/Premium-Silicone-Brush-Basting-Guarantee/dp/B00CD996BU

http://www.amazon.com/Bakers-Secret-1109836-Pastry-Brush/dp/B00HNKE6Q4

This is the closest Takoyaki Oil Brush with Container https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0058F395A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_b2RODb6Y1APSK

Any pastry cooks have an opinion on silicone brushes? I find them vastly easier to clean and more durable than a typical hair or fiber type brush but I'm wondering if I'm missing something?

I use a standard pastry brush for dusting my shrine. Also if you're careful you can have the vacuum nozzle in there while you dust.
edit: I missed a lette

The OXO Good Grips silicone brush is America's Test Kitchen's #1 recommendation. I had always used a brush with nylon bristles but after my most recent one died (bristles falling off into everything :/ ), I went with the oxo. I'm happy with it.

Scones unfortunately require VERY little. Depending on the type of scone she makes you will need:

• A Mixing Bowl Set (if in need of a new set)
  
• Wood spoon for mixing (chances are she has one though)
  
• Rolling pin
  
• Flour brush
  
• Round cutters
  
• Pastry brush for egg wash
  
• This cookie sheet