Oh, have I discovered something worth applauding! I’m talking about a basting tool that actually gets the job done. This little gem holds your basting liquid (melted butter, baked turkey drippings, etc.) like nothing I’ve ever used before.

My raving is over the LATTBAKAD Pastry Brush from IKEA. I might have paid $3.99 for it (I can’t remember for sure), but I would pay three times that without hesitation.

I’ve tried the silicone bristle brush and would end up so frustrated I could chew nails. While durable, heat-resistant, and easy to clean, it was beyond ineffective. Nothing would cling to those slippery chubby bristles.

And then there were the boar hair brushes. Advertisements for them say they’re “excellent for liquid absorption and gentle application, making them ideal for delicate pastries.” Yeh, sort of, in a limited way—if you don’t mind boar bristles all over those delicate pastries. Plus, they’re not the most sanitary choice—they’re so hard to clean thoroughly.

Here’s where the IKEA brush shines. Its nylon bristles are SECURELY imbedded in the plastic handle. This is a big deal—no more stray bristle hairs showing up on what I’m basting, and this feature also means it can be put in the dishwasher. (Can I get a “Hallelujah!”?) Or if you want to wash it by hand, get as aggressive as you want with it. Those nylon bristles aren’t goin’ anywhere!

The picture below shows me using it to slather melted butter over a batch or orange rolls that my daughter-in-law and I made a few months ago. “WHERE can I get this amazing brush?” Corrine asked. I’ve since used it when cooking with neighbors and other family members, and the question always comes up. This is what prompted me to share it with you—I figured you’d probably like the idea of a non-shedding, true liquid-holding brush as well.

Now I know kitchen tools can be a touchy subject—we find one we love and almost marry it. I’m not saying the pastry brush you’re using isn’t top notch. If you’re happy with it, that’s what matters. But for those of you out there that can relate to my above ranting, then this is for you.

But maybe the real point here is that “the master is only as good as her tools.” It’s always a smart idea to continually assess our tools to be sure they’re doing the job for which they were created. If not, time to find one that does! (Can I get an “AMEN!”?)

    Alice Osborne
    DVO Newsletter Contributor since 2006
    Email the author! alice@dvo.com