A turkey baster is one of those simple but useful kitchen tools that often gets overlooked. As Thanksgiving and Christmas roll around when turkey is front and center on the menu, you may find yourself wondering: where can I buy a turkey baster near me? With a wide range of places to purchase this handy gadget, knowing the best options will help you get your baster just in time for holiday meal prep.
Why Do You Need a Turkey Baster?
Before running out to buy one, let’s quickly go over why a turkey baster is so indispensable:
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Basting turkeys roasts and other meats – A baster evenly distributes juices, oils, sauces and marinades over the surface to add flavor and moisture.
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Making gravies and sauces – Basting juices can be squirted into a saucepan to form the flavorful base of gravies and pan sauces.
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Decorating desserts – Filling cream puffs, éclairs or cannolis is made easy with a baster Drizzling glazes and sauces over cakes is also simple
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Food crafts – Basters allow you to neatly fill items or draw designs on foods. Kids love using them for fun cooking projects.
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Extracting pan drippings – A baster lets you easily remove seasoned juices from roasting pans to make amazing gravies.
So whether you’re roasting a holiday bird or just whipping up pan sauces on a weeknight, a turkey baster is a go-to tool that every home cook should keep stocked in their kitchen.
Where to Buy Turkey Basters In-Store
When you need a new turkey baster right away, heading to a local store is often the quickest option. Here are some great places to buy one near you:
Grocery Stores
Large chain grocery stores like Kroger, Safeway, Publix, Albertsons, etc. have well-stocked kitchen departments. Look for turkey basters near other cooking utensils and gadgets. Major retailers like Walmart and Target also sell a range of basting tools.
Hardware Stores
Home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s offer a selection of kitchen accessories, including basters. Check the kitchen and dining section for useful cooking gadgets. Their affordable prices make hardware stores a smart option.
Cooking Supply Stores
Stores specializing in cooking gear and bakeware are fantastic places to browse quality turkey basters. Williams-Sonoma, Sur La Table, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Crate & Barrel all carry baster varieties perfect for basting and sauce making.
Restaurant Supply Outlets
Restaurant supply companies like Gordon Food Service sell commercial-grade basters designed for frequent use. The durable metal or heat-resistant nylon construction ensures these basters last through holiday meals and beyond.
Thrift Stores
Sometimes you can find gently used basters at local thrift stores for a few dollars. Try Goodwill, Salvation Army, or consignment shops. Though selection varies, checking thrift stores can turn up great bargains on kitchen tools.
Purchasing a Turkey Baster Online
Searching online opens up more options of where to buy a baster for the best price and selection:
Amazon
The mega online retailer offers hundreds of baster choices with the convenience of quick shipping. Searching “turkey baster” on Amazon will display many highly rated options at affordable prices.
eBay
Both new and used turkey basters can be found on eBay at discounted prices. Retailer overstock and refurbished basters are often sold at a fraction of the original price.
Manufacturer Websites
Brands like OXO, Norpro, and Tovolo all offer their baster products for direct purchase on their company websites. This allows you to buy directly from the source.
Kitchen Supply e-Commerce
Online stores like Kitchen Kapers, Knife Aid, and Chef ToolBox have big selections of basters that can be ordered with just a few clicks. Enjoy the convenience of browsing different styles in one spot.
Group Discounts
Amazon Subscribe & Save and Sam’s Club are two examples of sites offering group pricing discounts when you buy multiple basters. This saves money if you need several.
Factors to Consider When Buying a Turkey Baster
With so many places to find turkey basters available, keep these factors in mind when selecting one to purchase:
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Material – Most are plastic or nylon, but silicone or stainless steel are durable options. Glass requires extra care.
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Capacity – Measure markings, usually 1-3 ounces, indicate the amount of liquid it can hold. Choose accordingly.
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Comfort – An ergonomic grip and squeeze bulb prevent hand fatigue, especially during long basting sessions.
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Heat resistance – Ensure the baster can withstand oven and stovetop heat to handle hot liquids.
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Dishwasher safety – Check if the baster is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. Avoid wood handles.
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Special features – Nice extras include measurement markings, funnel tips, and cleaning brushes.
Considering these aspects will guide you to pick the best turkey baster for your needs and budget.
Helpful Hints for Using a Turkey Baster
Once you’ve purchased the perfect baster, use these tips to make the most of this handy kitchen tool:
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Draw liquid up slowly to prevent air bubbles that could burst and spatter hot juices.
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Plunge the baster only halfway down into the liquid to allow space for drawing liquid up into the tube.
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Wipe the baster tip after each use to prevent cross-contamination and drips.
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Apply even pressure on the bulb to distribute juices over the turkey or food evenly.
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Use care to gently squeeze when filling pastries to prevent delicate shells from cracking.
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Ensure the baster is heat proof before inserting into hot liquids to prevent melting.
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Wash promptly after use and utilize the cleaning brush to clear sticky residues.
With the right technique, a quality baster makes food preparation much cleaner and easier. This inexpensive but invaluable tool is definitely worth having on hand in every home kitchen.
Fun Facts About Turkey Basters
While their functions may seem straightforward, turkey basters actually have some fascinating history and fun trivial tied to them:
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Early basters were fashioned from natural materials like hollow reeds before plastic was invented.
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The first patented baster was designed by Edgarton Comee in 1853, made from gutta-percha.
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During the Victorian era, silver basters became elegant serving tools brought to the table.
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Novelty basters shaped like turkeys, chickens and other animals are popular collector’s items. Vintage models are especially prized.
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Old basters used to be called “bulb syringes” – a early medical tool later adapted for cooking uses.
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In the 1966 film “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor famously weaponized a turkey baster in an act of retaliation during a dinner party gone wrong.
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Turkey basters are sometimes used in laboratory experiments for gently transferring small liquid samples.
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A study of fluid dynamics determined the optimal turkey baster design should include thin walls and large bulb diameters.
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Turkey basters retail for $3 to $15 on average, but antique silver versions can sell for over $100.
Don’t underestimate this humble kitchen tool – the unique history and uses of the turkey baster may surprise you!
Turkey Basting Methods for the Holidays
When holiday feasts roll around, turkey takes center stage on the menu. Having a good quality baster helps ensure your turkey turns out juicy, tender and perfectly cooked. Use these basting techniques for best results:
1. Prepare an Aromatic Basting Liquid
Simmering a homemade stock with fresh herbs, citrus and spices imparts amazing flavor. Butter or oil mixed with dried rubbed spices also works well.
2. Baste Every 30 Minutes During Roasting
Frequently basting the turkey breast, legs, thighs and wings prevents them from drying out. Generously coat all parts with the basting liquid.
3. Use a Bulb Baster for Smaller Birds
An ovenproof bulb baster simplifies basting smaller turkeys under 16 pounds. The rubber bulb allows better control over the liquid amount.
4. Utilize a Fat Separator for Larger Birds
When basting big turkeys, a fat separator cup captures hot pan juices while straining out excess fat for a healthier basting liquid.
5. Work Quickly to Retain Oven Heat
In and out fast to keep oven temperature constant. Use silicone mitts to grip the hot baster safely.
With the right basting technique, your holiday turkey will turn out perfectly brown, tender and infused with delicious flavor your whole family will love.
Finding the Perfect Turkey Baster for Thanksgiving and Beyond
As Thanksgiving approaches, a turkey baster likely isn’t the first thing that comes to
Best Basting Mop
- Versatile use
- Inexpensive
- Long handle
- Holds a lot of liquid
What We Dont Like
Basters are great when you have larger quantities of thin liquids, but a basting mop comes in handy when you have a thicker liquid like barbecue sauce or melted butter that you want to mop all over your food. Perfect for those who plan on grilling the Thanksgiving turkey, the cotton mop head picks up a lot of liquid and easily spreads it over the surface.
In testing, it worked well basting our roasted turkey, but it did soak up a lot of the liquid. Wringing it out was a bit messy. This one features an extra-long, 16-inch handle, so you dont have to get too close to the flames and can stay farther from the hot roasting pan in the oven.
These basting mops are incredibly inexpensive, so you can truly think of them as disposable, but they can be cleaned with soap and water just like a kitchen sponge or dishcloth. Still, once it gets stained, it may never look pristine again.
Besides being great for mopping sauce onto food, the basting mop is also great for “mopping” dirty dishes. It’s particularly useful for mugs, glasses, and even vases or coffee pots.
Material: Cotton mop head | Size: 16-inch handle | What’s Included: No extras
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Best Small
- Durable
- Includes measurement markings
- Dishwasher safe
What We Dont Like
- Tube isn’t completely clear
- Measurement markings difficult to read
If you only use a baster once a year, you don’t need an expensive one cluttering up your kitchen. For a budget-conscious pick that gets the job done, we love the Norpro Nylon Baster. This nostalgic small turkey baster will remind you of the one your parents or grandparents used, with the translucent nylon tube and squishy bulb. It’s heat resistant up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, so you don’t need to worry about it melting or deforming as you baste your turkey or roast it with hot drippings. After youre done using it, throw it in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.
This sturdy baster will last for years, but it’s inexpensive enough to keep a few on hand for nights when you’re cooking more than one roast. We found the baster works better than some expensive stainless alternatives, and its a great value for the price. In our tests, it worked with a thick sauce, so it would be fine with gravy or smooth tomato sauce.
During testing, the baster rolled a little bit on the counter, but not enough to worry that it was going to roll off the edge. It didn’t drip when it was held upright, but it did drip when held at an angle. Still, youre getting a great product at an incredible price.
Material: Nylon tube | Size: 10.5 inches long | What’s Included: No extras
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The 5 Best Turkey Basters to Buy in 2024 | Reviews | Best Turkey Basters On The Market 2022
FAQ
What can I use if I don’t have a turkey baster?
How do you cook a turkey without a turkey baster?
Do you need a turkey baster to cook a turkey?
Can you use a stainless steel Baster on a Turkey?
Just remove the injector tip to use it as a standard baster. Not just for turkey and not just for oven use, this is great for any kind of roast or even on the grill since the bulb is heat-safe to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and the stainless steel can withstand the same heat as your stainless steel cookware and bakeware .
Can you put a turkey baster in the dishwasher?
Continue to 5 of 7 below. This stainless steel turkey baster and basting brush win points for functionality, durability, and style. The high-grade materials stand up to heat, so during testing, we felt confident cleaning it in the dishwasher even though that wasn’t specified on the package.
What is a turkey baster used for?
Some basters include a needle that can be used to inject melted butter, broth, or a flavorful sauce into the food before it is roasted, eliminating the need for a dedicated marinade injector . Do you need a turkey baster or can you use something else?
Do you need to Bast a Turkey?
While basters are traditional, there are many turkey recipes that don’t require basting. However, if basting is desired, it’s possible to use a spoon to collect the liquid and pour it over the food in a roasting pan.