What’s the secret to perfectly baked cookies? It’s not just the recipe—it’s the baking rack, too! If you want to bake evenly golden brown cookies every time, then keep reading to learn more about baking racks and how to use them properly. By the time you’re done with this article, you’ll be able to make the best cookies you’ve ever tasted!
Why use a cooling rack?
A cooling rack is a must-have in any baker’s kitchen. Cooling racks allow the heat and moisture from baked goods to escape, which prevents soggy bottoms and helps baked goods cool evenly. Most bakers prefer wire baking racks because they are more rigid than their sheet counterparts and are better able to support delicate pastries like croissants, pies, or meringues.
Types of Cooling Racks
There are two types of cooling racks, the half-height and the full-height. Half-height cooling racks are great for cakes or breads that don’t need much space. Full-height racks work better for cookies, which tend to spread out more during baking. With both types, you should make sure they have slats that are no wider than 1/2 inch (1 cm) apart. If your rack has wider slats then it will take too long for your baked goods to cool and you may end up with soggy baked goods from condensation.
Choosing the Right Cooling Rack
Stacked cooling racks can be difficult to store and often take up a lot of space in the kitchen. So when choosing a baking rack, you need to consider how much counter space you have, as well as how much storage space. If you don’t have much room, look for single-level cooling racks that stack on top of each other. You may want to choose an adjustable or collapsible rack if you bake multiple different types of items at once. Keep in mind that these types of racks are not meant to hold heavy or large items so they may not work well with loaves or cakes.
You can also DIY it as the following video shows.
Benefits of Different Materials in Cooling Racks
When it comes to baking rack, you have a lot of options. There are many materials you can use, but it’s important that you use the right material for the job. Here are some of the most common materials and their benefits. Copper is great because it is highly conductive, which helps distribute heat evenly across the surface of what you’re cooking. It also has natural antibacterial properties, which help protect your food from harmful bacteria.
Cast Iron works well because its non-stick surface makes it easy to clean while also providing uniform heating. Cast iron is heavier than other materials, so this might not work as well if you plan on transporting your baked goods often or storing them in a small space.
Storage and Cleaning Tips
One of the most important things to know about baking rack is that it needs to be stored in a cool, dry place. Ideally, it will be stored on its side so that the air can circulate and prevent any moisture from getting into the bottom of the pan. If you are storing your rack on top of another pan, make sure there is some space between them for air circulation. A cabinet or pantry is an ideal storage spot. To clean a rack, it’s best to use hot water and soap with a scrubbing brush or sponge. When the rack is completely dry, coat it with vegetable oil (or other non-stick cooking oil) before storing it.
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Checkered Chef Cooling Rack - Set of 2 Stainless Steel, Oven Safe Grid Wire Racks for Cooking & Baking - 8” x 11 ¾"
