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How To Plan A Kitchen For Baking

For star bakers, professional chefs, and even enthusiasts, planning a kitchen for baking will ensure a space meets the culinary needs of making bread, pastries, cakes, and more. While the aroma of freshly baked cookies is welcome in any home, cleaning up the mess of mixing bowls is less so, which could be solved simply with the right equipment. From achieving the perfect rise to storing all your kitchenware, these ideas will help you create a practical layout to make baking a doddle.

1. Double up

Maximise on space with a double oven which allows you to bake multiple cake tiers simultaneously for an efficient and fool-proof regime.

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1. Double up

Whether you are baking multiple batches of cupcakes or running a professional cake business, it is important to have enough space to accommodate large quantities. A double oven is a vital component as the extra room will improve productivity and allow you to bake simultaneously at different temperatures.

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- 2. Get moist results
  
  Ensure cooking devices are in tip-top shape with a steam oven offering the best results for a soft, doughy bake.
  
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  2. Get moist results
  
  Another device that will transform your baking experience is a steam oven, which creates a moist environment that keeps cakes soft, while also preventing a soggy bottom for breads and pastry. This clever technology also helps dough to rise, significantly reducing cooking time - great for bakers on a time crunch.
  
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- 3. Smooth out surfaces
  
  Keep surfaces streamlined with a sleek induction hob that will provide instant heat and make way for easy clean-ups.
  
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  3. Smooth out surfaces
  
  Optimising every inch of counter space is key to creating a practical layout for all the tasks that baking requires. Induction hobs feature a flush, unobtrusive fit that allows the countertop to be used to prepare and cook. The reflective, easy-to-wipe surface also makes it simple to clean – good when flour goes astray.
  
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4. Freeze with ease

Find a spot for storing and setting baked goods, in addition to the weekly food shop, with an American fridge freezer that goes extra-large on food storage.

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4. Freeze with ease

Great for cooling baked goods quickly, choosing refrigeration that has ample shelves and dairy compartments will ensure you have enough room to accommodate your dishes and your grocery shop. Digital temperature control and fast freeze are a must-have for bakers, allowing you to properly set certain recipes. Upgrade to an American fridge freezer for extra space.

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- 5. Warm up with drawers
  
  Bake like a pro with a warming drawer that provides a place to prove dough, which doubles up as a smart hosting feature.
  
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  5. Warm up with drawers
  
  Warming drawers are a practical addition to any design. From heating crockery, proving dough, or melting chocolate, they are a versatile and stylish touch that will free up room on the hob or in the oven. The simple appearance complements both contemporary and classic interiors, and when positioned below built-in devices, it will help zone an area for cooking and make the room easy to navigate.
  
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- 6. Create a workstation
  
  Dedicate a zone to working on your baking skills with an island that offers plenty of surface space for every dish.
  
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  6. Create a workstation
  
  Extra counter space is vital in a layout designed for baking, from spreading out baking equipment to rolling dough, it creates a valuable area to get to work on. This allows for surfaces around the edges of a room to be utilised for built-in and freestanding devices. @propertyindex's island design forms a natural workflow that will make everyday tasks and cooking simpler.
  
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7. A place to perch

Enjoy the best of the bunch by creating a spot to spy on cakes and indulge in freshly-made bakes with a convenient breakfast seating area.

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7. A place to perch

Whether it is for small guests who want to lick the spoon, a chance to relieve your legs when decorating, or a place to watch your pastries rise - a breakfast area can be a much-needed spot to relax in. @adamsfamilyreno has added seating to create a great place for long-haul baking sessions, as well as a sociable zone to enjoy a slice of cake with a cuppa.

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- 8. Make it practical
  
  Combine fashion and function with quartz counters that will stand up to the heat and look good next to fresh bakes.
  
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  8. Make it practical
  
  The key to creating a good space for baking is the practicality of each design feature. @fixingthefarm_ has opted for a non-porous, stain-resistant surface that will protect your counter from food-dyes and other harsh liquids. Quartz is durable, scratchproof, and heat-resistant, which will suit any prep that requires a cool surface, and you can be sure it will last for many years to come.
  
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- 9. Add elbow room
  
  Treat your back to a rest with a rise and fall counter system, that makes long, strenuous tasks more comfortable.
  
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  9. Add elbow room
  
  When spending hours kneading dough, icing cakes, or simply mixing the batter, it is vital to get the correct height for a work surface to prevent any repetitive strain injuries. Using a countertop that can be mechanically lowered, using a rise and fall system, will allow you to create a custom height that will transform the process of preparing baked goods.
  
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10. Protect from spills

Plan in precautionary measures for spillages with a backboard that can be wiped down after cooking adventures. Double up on style points by matching this surface to your counter.

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10. Protect from spills

Even the most professional bakers make a mess, so including features that will protect your walls and other surfaces will make cleaning up that little bit easier. Including a backboard behind a work area is a great idea for keeping walls safe for mixing bowl mishaps. It also continues a decorative design for a space that is stylish as well as practical.

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- 11. Keep within arms reach
  
  From flour to food colouring, there are many baking ingredients to store, so opt for easy-access larder storage.
  
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  11. Keep within arms reach
  
  Messy hands and a busy workstation can make it difficult to search through cupboards for ingredients, so keeping dried goods organised and close-by is essential. Larder systems maximise the height of a room for more storage and features a smart pull-out system that ensures that everything is easily accessible, even at the back of the shelf.
  
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- 12. Go slimline
  
  Pack a layout full of clever stowing areas with plinth drawers, that offer a pocket of space for smaller items.
  
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  12. Go slimline
  
  From cupcake cases to baking sheets, greaseproof paper and sandwich tins, there is a lot of kit to store when baking is your passion. To ensure everything has its rightful place, consider maxing out on smart solutions to store kitchenware. For example, drawers that slot beneath cooking equipment will keep cookware close to hand, while making the best use of every inch of space.
  
  See built-under-oven drawers

13. Make room for pans

Baking often involves many large devices and dishes, which can take a toll on storage areas and your back. Pan drawers ease the pressure when lifting and help to organise substantial cookware.

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13. Make room for pans

Organising and accessing large objects in cupboards can be tricky, so including a pan drawer will make kitchenware easier to see and find in a hurry. The added depth of this drawer means that bigger dishes and tins can be stacked. We recommend positioning these near cooking equipment for a functional flow that is easy to tidy as you go.

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- 14. Opt for undermount
  
  Turn chores into a quick activity with an undermount sink, that makes it simple to brush debris into the bowl.
  
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  14. Opt for undermount
  
  Washing up is often the least favourite part of the baking experience and to make it more manageable, try including an undermount basin. The flush fit means the sink sits inline with the work surface, allowing you to wipe objects and mess into the bowl for a quick and easy clean-up. A larger capacity will also provide room to soak large pots and pans.
  
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- 15. Transform your tap
  
  Whether filling pans or making a cuppa to enjoy with cake, a hot water tap will elevate any cooking space.
  
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  15. Transform your tap
  
  For a smart addition that will ease both baking and everyday life, opt for an instant hot water tap for a fast and convenient way to fill pans. A great option for bain-maries, boiling water taps offer hot, filtered, and cold water at your fingertips, which will save time and effort getting the kettle on the go. This device will also help to save on valuable surface space, that can be used for food prep.
  
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