A pastry brush is a kitchen tool used for applying glazes to baked goods. It should be washed after each use and periodically dipped in a bleach solution to keep it hygienic. Synthetic brushes made from materials like silicone are more sanitary and easier to clean. It is important to keep separate sets of pastry and basting brushes to avoid flavor contamination.
A pastry brush is a kitchen tool intended for use with pastry. Many desserts need to be frosted or brushed with things like egg whites, melted butter or milk. A pastry brush controls the amount of glaze that is applied and ensures that it is distributed evenly and efficiently. Keeping a brush or two around is very useful, even if you don’t do much baking, because there are a number of potential uses for a good pastry brush.
A typical pastry brush has a wooden or plastic handle with natural or synthetic bristles. Unfortunately, this design can promote the growth of bacteria, especially when a baker works with high-fat glazes like butter. As a result, the pastry brush should be thoroughly hand washed after each use and should be periodically dipped in a bleach solution to keep it hygienic. To hand wash a pastry brush, gently massage the detergent into the bristles, then rinse thoroughly before shaking the brush out and hanging it to dry so the bristles don’t warp.
If you can find one, a better basting brush choice is an all-synthetic brush made from a material like silicone. Pure synthetics can be washed in the dishwasher, making them much more sanitary. Many of them are also molded in solid units, which makes them easier to clean and prevents shedding of bristles. Silicone is one of the best materials, as it is highly heat resistant.
Many baked goods are finished with a glaze that creates a distinctive crust. Cakes, for example, can be brushed with egg whites or milk for a glossy finish. A pastry brush is also used in assembling dishes that call for phyllo dough and can be used to add delicate glazes to things like cakes. As a general rule, it’s a good idea to keep multiple sizes around, ranging from a small, thin brush to a broad brush with a large area of coverage.
This kitchen tool is essentially the same as a basting brush—a brush designed for applying sticks, marinades, and glazes to meats and savory foods. Cooks often keep separate sets of pastry and basting brushes to minimize the risk of flavor contamination. However, if you have a set of silicone brushes, you won’t need to keep them separate, as silicone contains no flavors or odors. Otherwise, you may want to consider color coding your basting and pastry brushes, to ensure you don’t introduce barbecue sauce to your scones.
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