Whisks Buying Guide

So maybe you thought there was only one kind of whisk.  Well think again! All whisks are designed to do approximately the same task, but they can be made out of varying materials such as metal,  plastic  and even bamboo.  Whether you are looking for a standard whisk for your home or even a specialised whisk to make your cake,  check out your options below.

Styles of Whisks

Balloon Whisk  This is the most common type of whisk used in the kitchen. As its name suggests, the wires form a balloon shape, which helps to combine the ingredients in concave mixing bowls.	French Whisk  This is a flatter, longer whisk that is designed for use in deep pans with straight, not curved, sides.	Ball Whisk  Easy to identify, this whisk is used for thick and delicate sauces. It can be utilised in bowls as well as in tall, straight sided pots, and it is easy to clean.	Flat Whisk  Also called the Roux Whisk, this tool is shaped to be used in shallow pans such as a skillet.  Its method of use is similar to the style employed when making a roux.	Twirl Whisk  Due to its shape, the twirl whisk works well in cylindrical shaped pots or dishes, and is made out of a single wire that forms its shape.

Tips for Sauces

Making sauces can be one of the trickiest of all types of cooking. Creating sauce is often considered an art due to the importance of it in dishes. If you want to venture into this technique, start with a recipe, and PRACTICE. There is nothing wrong with experimentation, but don't expect to create a hollandaise sauce  on your first try--it's hard!

Here are some common mistakes people make when concocting sauces:

• We don't read the directions carefully enough. You may think they aren't important, but they are. Quantity and ratio of spices in sauces is very, very important. Recipes will tell you exactly what you need, so pay attention.
• We are impatient. Some sauces require that ingredients be added very slowly (emulsions). The importance of this process is to mix ingredients evenly. If you just throw the ingredients in, the sauce often turns into a big blob, which is not delicious.
• We don't believe what we see.  When comparing your sauce to the picture, please taste it before changing it. It may be perfectly good and you won't even know it.

The Whisking Method

Maybe you've heard of the whisking method used in baking or another form of cooking; this involves certain manipulations of the whisk to create light, airy dishes. So what exactly is the whisking method? Also called a foam mixing method, this process involves whipping eggs,  egg whites  or egg yolks  to help leaven the cake or dessert  you are baking. Its steps are as follows.

• Step 1: The eggs (whatever parts you choose to use for the recipe) need to be prepared by heating them over a water bath of about 37°. Sugar  should be added to the eggs while they are warming.
• Step 2: After the mixture is fully heated, the eggs must be whipped. Eggs are fully whipped when the foam forms a thick consistency and the treads or whipping lines don't move back together.
• Step 3: Cake flour  is folded into the whipped eggs and whisk again to achieve the proper texture.
• Step 4: The liquid ingredients are folded in.
• Step 5: The dry, sifted ingredients are folded in, such that the airy texture of the batter is preserved.
• Step 6: The cake is baked as normal. This method is designed with the desired end result to be a moist, light cake.

Whisk It!

Some popular desserts that require whisking.

Lemon Meringue Pie  What's better than a lemon pie with a delicious whipped meringue on top? This site has a lengthy but delicious recipe that will have you eagerly awaiting the results.	Cheesecake  Since cheesecakes are typically light desserts, they require some whisking when mixing the ingredients together. Check out this site for a serious orange cheesecake recipe that will have you drooling.	Chocolate Layer Cake  Frostings on top of many cakes may need whisking if you are making them by hand. This site has a to-die-for double chocolate layer cake that requires whisking when making the topping.	Soufflé  Soufflés are another dessert commonly prepared with the use of a whisk, due to their fluffy texture. For a delicious idea, check out this lime soufflé recipe.

Related Guides

Kitchen Mixers Whether they be egg beaters  or wooden spoons,  check out our overview on various types of mixers.	Kitchen Tools This guide is complete with names and pictures of every type of tool or equipment you will need for your kitchen.	Measuring Cups Measuring out your ingredients is an important part of following your recipe, so make sure you have one of these on hand!	Bakeware From bundt pans  to muffin tins,  if you are aiming for a fully stocked kitchen, this is the guide for you.	Pots and Pans Stocking these in varying sizes is a crucial component of any kitchen.

External Links

• Wikipedia.org: All the sauces you could possibly need help with in one convenient location.