A Smear Campaign
It’s one of those things that you don’t think about, but then you need it and you’re like “oh, shucks!” Yup, I’m talking about pastry/basting brushes. In desperate moments I’ve used a paper towel to egg my challahs, and yes, it ends up as gross as you’re imagining it.
From chicken to challah to bbqs to wontons, pastry brushes finish the job. And which one to get, that’s my job. I tested the top-rated ones on Amazon, making sure to get different styles and price ranges, testing for comfort, space footprint, cleaning ease, how well it retains wash/sauce, and how well it smears so you can glaze your chicken, egg your challah, and clean up with balebuste balance.
Testing, Testing
1. I held it in my hand, feeling for comfort.
2. I dipped the brush in egg wash and held it vertically to see how much wash it retained. I then smeared it against a bowl to see how many strokes produced wash.
3. I dipped it in oil and smeared a pita. Basically, checking the same things as previous just with a less viscous food.
4. I washed the brush to see how easily it cleaned and dried.
5. I put in my drawer, checking for footprint.
Hotec
Price: $6.39
Notes: Comes with two brushes, one longer, one shorter. Brush is one piece of silicone, so there’s no place for food and germs to hide and build up.
Stars: 4.7
Cuisinart
Price: $3.99
Notes: Natural bristles definitely hold more wash/sauce, but it’s harder to clean properly and needs a lot more time to dry.
Stars: 4.5
Rwm
Price: $12.99
Notes: Comes with two brushes, one longer, one shorter. Comes with two replacement heads
Stars: 3.5
Oxo
Price: $12.99
Notes: Angled handle for easier smearing. Has thicker bristles with holes to catch more sauce/baste, trying to make up for the advantages of natural bristles.
Stars: 4.3
M Kitchenwood
Price: $3.49
Notes: Cheap feel, the connecting seal has a gap where food and germs can get stuck. Comes with two.
Stars: 4
Cuisinart Basting Pot
Price: $13.50
Notes: Small brush, can’t see what you’re brushing because the cover blocks the view. Doesn’t hold a lot of sauce/wash.
Stars: 3
Overall Winner: Hotec
Not only is it economical, but you get two! Also, it comes in many colors, and is easy to clean, meaning less concern for bacteria and food buildup. Most importantly, it works and does exactly what you need it to do.
Tip: Basting? Pastry? Which one?
Yes, yes, there’s a difference between pastry brushes and basting brushes, but let’s be honest, at 99% of all of our levels, it’s the same difference, so don’t get confused.
Reviews