The 10 best tools for Pancake Day 2021
Whether you're preparing for Shrove Tuesday or simply craving crêpes, we’ve devised the ultimate list of everything you need for making pancakes.
This page was updated in January 2020.
Say goodbye to catastrophic crêpes and hello to perfect pancakes. We’ve discovered the top tools for pancake day (and beyond!), including the best crêpe pan, hand whisk, mixing bowls, lemon squeezer and spatula, to ensure your Shrove Tuesday is flippin’ fantastic!
Whether you prefer sweet or savoury crêpes, fluffy, American-style pancakes or something a little different, there’s a recipe for everyone on our Pancake Day page.
For more unbiased expert buyer's guides, visit our review section to find 200+ round-ups of everything from pancake pans to hand mixers.
1. Non-stick pan
John Lewis non-stick pancake pan
A good non-stick pan will save you the heartache of scraping ruined crêpes off a non-stick bottom. The winning pancake pan in our review, this sleek, sturdy pan is not only an ideal weight for pancake flipping, it's also the right shape and thickness for good heat distribution, is super non-stick and suitable for all hob types.
Available from John Lewis (£18)
2. Whisk
OXO Good Grips balloon whisk
One thing guaranteed to ruin any pancake is lumpy batter. Ensure your mix is velvety smooth with a reliable whisk. We’ve tried plenty of manual whisks but this is our favourite – the shaped silicone handle is extremely comfortable to hold, the whisk head is sturdy and it’s good value.
Available from:
Amazon (£6.40)
John Lewis & Partners (£6.40)
Waitrose & Partners (£9)
3. Weighing scales
Zing kitchen scales
Using the wrong ingredient quantities can lead to less than perfect pancake results. Ensure precision with a set of modern digital weighing scales. These attractive scales from Zing are slimline, easy to store and have a capacity of up to 5kg (great for anyone making a big batch). They’re a safe option for students or those pressed for space.
4. Mixing bowl
Joseph Joseph Nest 9 Plus nesting bowl set
A year-round kitchen essential, this impressive set of mixing bowls will come in handy for all kinds of bakes. The large mixing bowl has a capacity of 4.5 litres (ideal for mixing large quantities of pancake batter) and the smaller mixing bowl is ideal for pancake toppings. Neatly stacked inside are a sieve (handy for ensuring there are no lumps in your flour), measuring cups and a strainer. The whole set is ultra-lightweight and great for storage.
Available from:
5. Spatula
Victorinox rosewood spatula
Whether you're a pancake expert or a tentative beginner, a palette knife or spatula is ideal for achieving the perfect flip. Delicate crêpes tear easily, so this ultra-thin Victorinox spatula with a snazzy rosewood handle is your perfect pancake partner.
Available from Victorinox (£29)
6. Lemon squeezer
Waitrose Home lemon squeezer
We’re yet to find an easier way to juice lemons than one of these ‘Mexican elbow’-style squeezers. Just cut your lemon or lime in half, put it in cut side down, and squeeze! Minimum effort is required – the pips are caught inside and the juice comes out. Perfect for lemon & sugar lovers.
Available from Waitrose & Partners (£8)
7. Squeezy bottles
Clear squeezy sauce bottles
So you've mastered basic pancakes, how about trying your hand at some pancake art? Use one of these squeezy bottles to create shapes with your batter in the pan – check out our guide for tips and tricks, as well as ideas for shapes and patterns. If the nozzle feels too small, just cut with scissors.
Available from Lakeland (£3.99)
8. Pancake moulds
Norpro heart moulds
Everybody knows that one of the best ways to show your love is through cooking – and with this bit of kit, there'll be no mistaking your feelings. Get creative with pancake moulds and build your own heart-shaped stack. The best part? You can also use them on Valentine's Day – you can make heart-shaped fried eggs with them too!
Available from Amazon (£10.99)
9. Fancy plates
‘Are we having pancakes?’ side plate
Could there be a more ideal plate for Shrove Tuesday?! This hand-drawn, pancake-loving badger design plate is the right size for pancakes at 23cm.
Available from:
Jimbo Art (£22.50)
Red Candy (£23)
Wolf & Badger (£23)
10. Sugar pot
Sugar bowl with bamboo spoon & lid
Are you a classic lemon & sugar lover? Keep and serve sugar in this cute little (350ml) pot, complete with bamboo spoon for easy sprinkling.
Available from Eden & Willow (£2.95)
Related reviews
The best pancake pans
The best non-stick frying pans
The best mixing bowls
The best digital scales
The best hand mixers
Pancake recipes and tips
The best tools for making pancakes
Our best ever pancake recipes
Our 10 favourite pancake toppings
How to flip a pancake
All you need to know about pancakes
For more product picks, visit our reviews section – and don't forget to check out our pancake recipes.
What's your most valued piece of pancake kit? Leave a comment below...
This review was last updated in January 2020. If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.
