Benchtops and Baking: Ideal Kitchen Benchtops for Home Bakers
There’s nothing like good flat kitchen benchtops to knead dough on. Honestly, is there anything better than baking bread in the morning and having that yeasty bakery aroma fill the kitchen? Then when you’re having your morning tea or coffee, you get to savour a thick slice of fresh bread slathered with butter!
However, to get that delicious fresh-made bread, you’ll first of all need to make it. And baking your own bread is only possible with the right preparation on the benchtop and proper baking in the oven.
Using Kitchen Benchtops to Bake Bread
As many of us discovered during COVID lockdowns, there’s something quite satisfying about baking your own bread. You’re kneading, pounding, flouring and baking…not to mention getting to eat something delicious once you’re done! In fact, baking bread at home can be quite therapeutic (there’s nothing quite like taking your frustrations out on a ball of bread dough!).
While it is possible to knead your dough on a wooden board or a silicone dough mat, some benchtops are ideal for baking on. Are you designing a new kitchen and keen to do a lot of cooking and baking? If so, there are a few things to consider when it comes to choosing the material for your benchtop:
- Heat Resistance: Baking often involves working with hot pans, trays and dishes, so it’s essential to choose a benchtop material that can withstand high temperatures without being damaged or scorched.
Durability and Easy Maintenance: Baking can be a messy endeavour, with spills, stains and heavy equipment frequently involved. Therefore, it’s crucial to select a benchtop material that is durable and easy to clean. - Durability and Easy Maintenance: Baking can be a messy endeavour, with spills, stains and heavy equipment frequently involved. Therefore, it’s crucial to select a benchtop material that is durable and easy to clean.
- Smooth and Even Surface: A smooth and even surface is essential for tasks like rolling out dough and decorating baked goods. Look for a benchtop material that provides a flat, uniform surface without any unevenness or bumps.
Ideal Benchtops for Home Bakers
What are your options when it comes to choosing an ideal benchtop for a home baker? Some of the most popular benchtop materials include:
Natural Stone Kitchen Benchtops
Natural stone kitchen benchtops (such as granite or marble) are easy to clean and smooth enough for kneading your dough. Marble is a favourite for home bakers since it is smooth, durable and has natural cooling properties, which can be beneficial for certain baking tasks.
Engineered Stone Benchtops
These benchtops are made from a mixture of resin and crushed stone, making them resilient, smooth and resistant to scratches. Engineered stone generally costs less compared to natural stone, but still looks fantastic in a modern kitchen. However, engineered stone is sensitive to high heat, so you’ll need to keep it protected from hot bread tins.
Laminate Kitchen Benchtops
Laminate kitchen benchtops are a great choice for bakers seeking an attractive and durable benchtop at a more affordable price. Good quality laminate is non-porous, meaning it is stain-resistant and easy to keep clean. However, laminate is not as hard-wearing as stone, so it will be more susceptible to scratches, chips and heat damage.
Stainless Steel Benchtops
A stainless steel benchtop is another popular alternative for serious home bakers. It provides a smooth and durable surface that is non-porous, making it resistant to stains, odours and bacteria. It’s also heat resistant, meaning you can pull pans out of the oven and put them straight onto the bench without causing any damage.
Timber Kitchen Benchtops
If you’re feeling a little rustic, timber kitchen benchtops have been used effectively by bakers for centuries. Timber is a softer surface (compared to stone or stainless steel) which can help to prevent overworking more delicate doughs. It’s also more forgiving on knives, making it possible to chop directly onto the benchtop. Periodic maintenance may be necessary to keep a timber benchtop in top condition.
Benchtops and Baking
It’s not that hard to bake your own bread from scratch and having a good clean benchtop is the first step. Another thing to remember is that the counter should be free of clutter, giving you plenty of room for when you’re having a baking day. Ideally, you should have sufficient space for your dough to rise or double in size, as well as enough elbow room for kneading and pounding the dough.
The key to an uncluttered benchtop is ensuring you have plenty of storage space within the kitchen itself. This will help keep your kitchen tidy, functional and with plenty of free bench space for baking. You may also want to think about including an integrated bread drawer when designing your new kitchen.
Talk to Craftbuilt Kitchens for Expert Advice on Kitchen Benchtops
You don’t need to pay a fortune to enjoy artisan-baked bread. Why not give thin slices in a plastic bag a rest and try baking your own bread at home instead (don’t forget to slather in butter!)?
If you’re ready to start redesigning your kitchen, then our Craftbuilt Kitchen designers are here to help. Book a free appointment at the Craftbuilt showroom located at Unit 15, 76 Old Cleveland Road, Stones Corner. You’ll be able to chat with experts and view our top-of-the-line benchtop materials and ovens that are perfect for baking.
