Basting brush is a baking tool widely used in most household kitchens. It is like a paint brush made with nylon, plastic, silicone or natural bristles, while the handle may be wooden, metallic or made of plastic. The brush is used to coat the food item or prepared dish with oil, milk, egg white or any other substance. For this, the brush is dipped in the baste or the marinade and then applied to the surface of the food to be basted. This is a common practice in baking or barbecuing and hence it is also known called a pastry brush. The spreading of oil, milk or egg white on the surface of the food, adds a glaze to the crust once the dish is finally baked. It may also be used for basting meats or even to collect the dripping meat juice in the pan and baste the meat with it once more.
Types
Wooden Basting Brush with Natural Bristles – This type of basting brush looks similar to a paint brush. It has a wooden handle with natural bristles. Due to these it is not dishwasher safe and needs to be cleaned with hands. This often leaves it prone to bacteria and contamination due to the same. Its cleaning is cumbersome as it needs to be dipped in bleach to make it bacteria free. Also the natural bristles are not resistant to various food odours, flavours and stains. Sometimes, the wooden handles may contain plastic bristles.
Plastic Basting Brush with Silicone Bristles – This is more popular among professional cooks as well as housewives. It has a plastic handle with silicone bristles. Due to this it is dishwasher safe and can be cleaned thoroughly. Thus the silicone brushes have no danger of bacterias and aids to keep the kitchen clean and germ free. The silicone bristles are resistant to odours, heat, stains, freezing and various food flavours.
How to Buy a Basting Brush
While buying a basting brush one must decide upon how one intends to clean it. A dishwasher safe basting brush is convenient and for this type the silicone basting brush is the best buy, from any reputed brand. However, if one chooses to go for tedious cleaning then one can opt for the wooden basting brush.
Popular Brands
- Cusinart
- Farberware
- Weber
- Le Creuset
- Elizabeth Karmel
- OXO Good Grips
