The 10 Essential Tools You Need to Make Perfect Pancakes
I used to consider making pancakes a talent. As in, someone else's talent. I wasted batter on burnt pancakes, undercooked 'cakes, and batches that fell apart mid-flip. But (!) upgrading to better cookware and kitchen tools has changed all of that for me. I'm now convinced that flipping flapjacks has nothing to do with talent. It's the tools. Here are 10 essential pancake-making tools any brunch-loving chef needs.
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Nonstick Skillet
Consider a good nonstick skillet one of the best kitchen tools you can invest in, and not just for flipping flapjacks. Eggs, frozen gnocchi, and scallops are just a few of the foods that benefit from a nonstick surface. Our test kitchen raves that this durable 10-inch pan from American Kitchen is well made, super durable, and comfortable to maneuver on the stove (thanks to its stainless steel handle). Plus, it's dishwasher safe and free of harmful PFOAs.
Buy It: $92; Bed Bath & Beyond, Amazon, or Walmart
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Griddle
Our expert product tester named Presto's 19-inch Tilt-n-Fold electric griddle the best on the market. It browns pancakes more evenly than its competition — a major selling point here. But you can take advantage of it to cook meats, too, tilting its surface to drain excess grease.
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Spatula
OXO's Silicone Flexible Spatula won't damage your skillet's nonstick surface as its pliable head effortlessly flips food. Not to mention, this dishwasher-safe spatula withstands temperatures up to 600 degrees F.
Buy It: $10-12; OXO, Williams Sonoma, or Target
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Whisk
This OXO whisk's stainless steel wires can stand up to even the thickest pancake batter. And when you're whipping up a big batch of 'cakes, you'll really appreciate its comfy teardrop-shaped handle. If you'd rather a whisk that's safe to use on nonstick surfaces, grab the red silicone version.
Buy It: $10; Sur La Table, Amazon, or Target
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Mixing Bowls
These pancake-approved mixing bowls feature hardwearing stainless steel interiors and nonslip bases. (Translation: You can totally take your energy out on whisking.) Snag a set of three in blue and grey or white.
Buy It: $60; Amazon, Target, or Bed Bath & Beyond
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Cast Iron Skillet
Cooking pancakes in the cast iron skillet or making a Dutch baby takes even less effort than on the stovetop or griddle. Consider Lodge's eight-inch chef-style cast iron skillet the right pan for the job.
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Liquid Measuring Cup
Pyrex glass measuring cups are a kitchen staple, and, according to our expert product tester, the best for measuring liquids.
Buy It: from $9.50; Amazon, Sur La Table, Target
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Dry Measuring Cups and Spoons
Cuisipro designed these measuring cups and spoons with oval heads and long handles to make scooping dry ingredients easier, whether that's flour from a bulk-size bag or cinnamon from a narrow jar.
Buy It: $50; Amazon
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Pancake Pen
If you fancy yourself a batter artist, this open-tip pancake pen will be the brush to your brunch masterpiece. You can mix the pancake batter right in the bottle (or pour in if you prefer to whisk in a bowl), and then draw shapes with the tip.
Buy It: $10; Amazon, Target, or Williams Sonoma
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Cookie Scoop
A cookie scoop is the secret to ending up with a uniform stack of pancakes every time. OXO's large Good Grips Cookie Scoop holds three tablespoons of batter. While you could go with a pancake dispenser, this gadget is all you really need to transport batter from the mixing bowl to the skillet.
Buy It: $15; Amazon, Target, or Sur La Table