10 Chocolate-Making Tools Every Home Chocolatier Needs

Posted on February 20, 2021 by Amber Dowling

So, you’ve mastered the world of sourdough starters, your freezer is full of perfectly baked cookies, and now you’re ready to take your sweet tooth to a whole new level, are you? Well, why not? After all, if the past several months have taught us anything, it’s that our potential in the kitchen truly is limitless. Besides, there are few things more impressive than being able to create a show-stopping dessert in your very own home. If you’re looking to get into the chocolate and candy-making game, tune into Great Chocolate Showdown for tons of inspiration from the contestants and judges, and be sure to invest in some of these must-have tools to make a smooth, chocolatey transition to the sweet stuff.

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Tune into Great Chocolate Showdown on February 22 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Watch and stream all your favourite Food Network Canada shows through STACKTV with Amazon Prime Video Channels, or with the new Global TV app, live and on-demand when you sign-in with your cable subscription.

Amazon Canada

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Whisk

This may seem like an obvious one, but if you don’t have a whisk yet then you’ll never be able to create the <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/great-chocolate-showdown/photos/chocolate-techniques-to-master/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">expert chocolate concoctions</a> of your dreams. A handheld whisk is one of any chocolatier’s first and foremost tools, as it can beat eggs, cream, and other essential sugary goodness into sweet, sweet, submission. Grab a whisk for $20.99 <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07TJJTL34/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=330641&creativeASIN=B07TJJTL34&linkCode=as2&tag=corusent07-20&linkId=9fbc427bca42427c30ca0cff4b984cbc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">at Amazon Canada.</a>
Amazon Canada

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Silicone Molds

Just like silicone muffin liners, silicone chocolate molds are a game-changer. Whether you’re making <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/great-chocolate-showdown/video/short/hot-chocolate-bomb/video.html?v=33b19650-72e3-11eb-b1e2-0242ac110007" rel="noopener" target="_blank">hot chocolate bombs</a>, cute themed gifts for friends, or decorative adornments for a larger creation, these tools make life so much easier. Chocolate just pops right out of these molds without any muss or fuss, creating all kinds of satisfying and delicious shapes. Order a set of silicone molds for $22.99 <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07CQYRPB5/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=330641&creativeASIN=B07CQYRPB5&linkCode=as2&tag=corusent07-20&linkId=4fcbf93dddee28c56569e49ddd676fd4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">at Amazon Canada.</a>
The Bay

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Digital Thermometer

One of the most important tools in any candy maker’s toolbelt is a good quality digital thermometer—guesswork definitely won’t cut it in the sweets department. If you’re <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/great-chocolate-showdown/blog/how-to-melt-and-temper-chocolate/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">planning on making chocolates</a>, truffles and other delightful offerings, be sure that yours can go up to at least 120°F. But if you plan on adding caramel or toffee to the mix, you’ll definitely want one that can climb up to the 450° range. Invest in an Anna Olson digital thermometer for $34.99 <a href="https://www.thebay.com/product/anna-olson-kitchen-digital-kitchen-thermometer-0600091239040.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">at The Bay.</a>
Amazon Canada

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Dipping Forks

Whether you want to create perfect swirls on your chocolate-covered strawberries or you’re looking to coat <a href="http://foodnetwork.ca/shows/great-chocolate-showdown/photos/chocolate-peanut-butter-desserts/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">peanut butter balls</a> and truffles with an enviably smooth chocolate layer, a set of dipping forks is invaluable. Be sure to set up your area ahead of time, create an assembly line (filling, <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/great-chocolate-showdown/video/webisode/how-to-seed-temper-chocolate-like-a-pro/video.html?v=5d0ab75a-46d6-11ea-9350-f690959684a2" rel="noopener" target="_blank">tempered chocolate</a>, and a baking tray to place your finished product), and remember to always work with clean instruments. Grab some dipping forks for $18.99 <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07RZ89V59/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=330641&creativeASIN=B07RZ89V59&linkCode=as2&tag=corusent07-20&linkId=c673632a0da795daba4207f013d67e0d" target="_blank" rel="noopener">at Amazon Canada.</a>
Kitchen Stuff Plus

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Double Boiler

When it comes to melting chocolate there are valid shortcuts (the microwave, for example), but if you’re doing it in big batches or trying to temper it for a dip, nothing beats a double broiler. The good news is that these things are also great for a variety of sauces and dips, so really it’s one of those chocolate-making tools that doubles as a savoury essential. Invest in a double broiler for $54.99 <a href="https://www.kitchenstuffplus.com/strauss-tango-saucepan-and-double-boiler-2-5-l" target="_blank" rel="noopener">at Kitchen Stuff Plus.</a>
Amazon Canada

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Spatula

Everyone wants to lick the spatula when baking, and that’s because the spatula is so great at picking up all of that extra side-bowl goodness. If you don’t want to leave precious mix, melted chocolate, or batter behind, be sure to have a spatula handy to scrape up whatever doesn’t pour out on its own. Invest in a silicone spatula that doesn’t detach at the head, and also use it to smooth bubbles or level out frosting whenever you’re in a pinch. Pick up this four-piece spatula set for $14.99 <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01N32WEAC/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=330641&creativeASIN=B01N32WEAC&linkCode=as2&tag=corusent07-20&linkId=8a7bc499150af99133a4917b7dd7373c" target="_blank" rel="noopener">at Amazon Canada.</a>
The Bay

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Ramekins

Whether you’re creating individual puddings, <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/great-chocolate-showdown/video/webisode/warm-chocolate-budini-recipe/video.html?v=d11bb898-62d2-11ea-b129-aa3b13cdca7a" rel="noopener" target="_blank">molten chocolate budinis</a>, or any other form of individual-sized chocolatey goodness, ramekins can be your best friend. They work in the oven or in the fridge, they double as a <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/great-chocolate-showdown/video/webisode/6-easy-dessert-plating-ideas-/video.html?v=76210be4-5d93-11ea-9bdc-5a18f2f1ff10" rel="noopener" target="_blank">cute serving vessel</a>, and they also happen to be fairly easy to clean. Be sure to invest in a few if you plan on doling out perfectly portioned desserts anytime in the near future. Pick up a two-piece set of Anna Olson-approved ramekins for $10.99 <a href="https://www.thebay.com/product/anna-olson-kitchen-curved-porcelain-2-piece-ramekin-set-0600091238829.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">at The Bay.</a>
The Bay

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Glass Bowls

Stainless steel bowls are an essential tool in the kitchen to be sure, but when it comes to chocolate-making it never hurts to have some microwave-safe glass bowls hanging around too. That’s because they’re easy to pop into the microwave to warm up butter, <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/great-chocolate-showdown/blog/anna-olsons-chocolate-recipes-easy-to-advanced/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">chocolate</a>, or other last-minute ingredients, but they can also double as a makeshift double broiler when you’re in a pinch. Grab one of Anna Olson’s glass bowls for $14.99 <a href="https://www.thebay.com/product/anna-olson-kitchen-small-glass-bowl-0600090518833.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">at The Bay.</a>
Amazon Canada

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Silicone Baking Mat

If you haven’t started using a non-stick mat to cook with, what’s holding you back? They’re great when it comes to chocolate and candy making because your treats will slide off when ready, but even when baking <a href="https://www.foodnetwork.ca/baking/photos/top-chocolate-chip-cookie-recipes/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">cookies</a>, meat, veggies, or anything else you tend to pop in the oven, they save on parchment paper waste and cut down on time spent doing dishes. Look for mats that are good for up to 400-450°F. Pick up this three-piece silicon baking mat set for $20.77 <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B077XTPWZ5/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=330641&creativeASIN=B077XTPWZ5&linkCode=as2&tag=corusent07-20&linkId=b6bb224f1210904d457b145c39218f94" target="_blank" rel="noopener">at Amazon Canada.</a>
Amazon Canada

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Immersion Blender

Blenders are great, but when you want to make extra smooth treats a handheld immersion blender is the way to go. They trap less air then a regular blender, which means a creamier finish on chocolates, ganache and other sweet treats. Plus they’re dead useful for when you’re trying to make soup or other hot sauces, doubling as a savoury kitchen essential. Invest in an immersion blender for $64 <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B005GFXK1K/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=15121&creative=330641&creativeASIN=B005GFXK1K&linkCode=as2&tag=corusent07-20&linkId=9177093d3b131dd31f486961ddb1dbae" target="_blank" rel="noopener">at Amazon Canada.</a>
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