Cooking and Baking Equipment

There are lots of different pieces of equipment you will find in the kitchen.

Can you think of any?

You may use different types of tools and equipment when you are cooking a meal
or if you are baking a tasty treat.
 Gas Cooker
A cooker is essential for cooking and for most baking.

There are two types of cookers: gas cookers and electric cookers.

A gas cooker is used by switching on the gas button and setting the appropriate
temperature for what you are going to cook or bake. You will see a blue flame at
the bottom of the cooker and you might be able to smell the gas a little too. You
can roast food and bake things in the oven.

The hobs of the cooker may also be

fuelled by gas. You might use the hobs
if you are frying something, boiling
food or if you are making a yummy
sauce for baking.
 Electric Cooker
Electric cookers receive their energy from electricity.
An electric cooker is used by selecting what area of the cooker you want to use
(such as the grill or the fan oven) by turning the button on the cooker. You also
need to select the temperature required.

With any cooker, you have to be careful of the temperature you use and how long
you put the food in for. Too short a time means your food may not be cooked
properly and too long means it might get burnt!

When using any cooker you should always:

• have an adult there to help you;
• check the recipe/instructions carefully;
• wear oven gloves and an apron to protect
you and your clothing.
 Microwave
A microwave is a really useful piece of equipment for cooking and baking.
You can use a microwave to heat up food for a meal such as rice or beans.

You could also use a microwave to defrost frozen foods and to melt ingredients for
baking, such as butter.

To use a microwave, you select the appropriate setting (high heat, defrost, etc) and
the length of time required.

You should not walk away from the

microwave if you are using it just incase
you have to stop it sooner than expected. 01:00
15:00

Always check that the plate or bowl your

food is in is microwave safe.
 Blender
A blender can be used to make ingredients into a paste or to make liquids.

You might use a blender to make a yummy fruit smoothie or some healthy
milkshakes.

To use a blender, carefully cut whichever food you are going to use into
small chunks and add into the blender. You should ask an adult to help
you cut the ingredients and use the blender.

Make sure to place the lid on top before you switch the blender on!

Before you pour out your drink, make sure

the blender is switched off.
 Food Mixer
Food mixers can be used to mix, whisk or combine ingredients for meals or for
baking delicious treats.

Mixers can be:

Handheld Standing
 Food Mixer
Food mixers may come with different head attachments which can be used for
different things. For example, a whisk may be used to blend ingredients such as
cream and sugar whereas a dough hook may be used for kneading tough
ingredients such as bread dough.

When you are using a food mixer, never place your fingers in-between or over the
head attachments.

Make sure you place a food guard over a standing mixer to prevent lots
of mess.
 Toaster
A toaster is used to heat and toast bread.

There may also be a toastie maker or waffle maker in your kitchen too.

Make sure to never place anything (except from bread) into a toaster when it is
operating.
 Kitchen Knives
There are different types of kitchen knives that may be used for cooking
or baking:

Butter knives are usually quite flat and used for

spreads or sauces.

Bread knives are used for cutting tough textures

like baguettes.

Chopping knives are used to chop ingredients like

vegetables.

Butchers knives are used for cutting tough

ingredients such as meat.
 Kitchen Knives
• Always ask an adult to help you when using any type of kitchen knife.

• Always use a chopping board on a flat surface when using any

kitchen knife.
• Make sure the kitchen area is tidy before you start cutting or chopping to
prevent any slips or trips.
• Once clean, place kitchen knives in a safe place, such as a knife block.

• Cut away from your body when using kitchen knives.

• When holding the knife, make sure that all fingers touch the handle, with the
middle, ring and pinky finger around the handle.
 Kitchen Tools
These are only some of the equipment you might use in a kitchen when cooking or
baking, but there are lots more that you might know!

Can you think of any? Can you explain to the class

how to use them safely?
 Kitchen Tools
You may also need: