Bake Off 2024: what equipment is in the tent and are there cheaper versions?

The Great British Bake Off returns for its 15th series with another fresh crop of aspiring bakers, but the burning question is: which goodies are back in the tent this year, and are they the best an aspiring star baker can get?

This year’s set looks similar to those of the past few years, with the retro theme we’ve come to expect and whimsical pastel colors decorating the famous Bake Off tent.

Matching kitchen appliances certainly look good on screen, but if they’re going to earn a place in your kitchen, they also need to function well.

Read on to find out what kitchen gadgets we found in the tent this year, as well as some cheaper alternatives to consider.

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KitchenAid Stand Mixer

KitchenAid 175 Artisan stand mixer 4.8 l

One of the most famous objects in the Bake Off tent – the KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer – sees a lot of use. The pretty pastel color scheme and unique retro design mean it’s no surprise to us that this classic gadget will be in the mix for 2024.

If pastel colors are not your style, KitchenAid also offers models in eye-catching red, purple and even fashionable shiny copper. However, they are not cheap, and when not on offer, they can cost up to £500.

They certainly add a bit of baking flavor to your kitchen countertops, but how well do KitchenAid stand mixers really whip, whip and knead – and are they worth spending so much money on?

If you want to bake bread but prefer to do less by hand, check it out The best bread makers for home bread.

Read ours The best stand mixer reviews to find out if this KitchenAid is the best.

Cheaper alternative: Kenwood kMix

Kenwood kMix is a popular alternative that has even appeared on previous seasons of The Great British Bake Off.

It can be found in a range of stylish colors including black, chrome and rose gold, although the choice isn’t as large as the KitchenAid range. However, you can sometimes buy it for less than £250 when it’s on offer, making it a cheaper option.

Alternatively, you can opt for Lakeland Digital Stand Mixer that’s about 250 pounds.

If you’re in the mood for a Kenwood, read our latest Kenwood kMix review for the full picture.

Retro style fridge-freezer

A Bake Off set wouldn’t be complete without a retro fridge/freezer. This year, the choice still seems to be a vintage 1950s model in pastel blue: Zanussi ZTAE31EM1.

It has a small freezer on top and shiny silver handles – a design quite common among modern retro models. This means the freezer is at eye level rather than lower, so bakers don’t have to squirm on their hands and knees to load and unload their precious cakes.

In previous seasons, retro models from Smeg and Servis appeared in the tent.

We tested the frost-free version Zanussi ZTAE31ED1so if you want to see if Zanussi retro fridge freezers have the content to match their style, click the link to read our review before purchasing.

Cheaper alternative: Hisense RB390N4RYDUK

We tested a lot of Smega retro refrigerators with freezerbut they are not a budget option.

A similar retro look can be achieved using Hisense RB390N4RYDUK retro refrigerator for around £749.

See ours Retro fridge-freezer buying guide for advice on choosing the right option for you.

Swan Nordic microwave oven

A microwave may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of baking essentials, but it comes in handy for tasks like softening butter when you’re short on time.

We’ve noticed Swan’s Nordic-style blue microwaves making a comeback on Bake Off, but is it the best microwave for the job – or is it all about the stylish look and little else?

Read ours Swan SM22036GRYN microwave oven review (gray version) to find out.

Cheaper alternative: Russell Hobbs RHMM713G

At around £100 the Swan Nordic microwave isn’t too expensive, but if you’re looking for a slightly cheaper microwave with cool, muted tones, try a similar-looking one Russell Hobbs RHMM713Gavailable in white, grey, green, blue and black.

If your budget doesn’t stretch that far, we’ve tested a few cheap microwave ovensfrom brands such as Currys and Argos, they cost from around £65. They tend to be quite small and have limited settings, and they don’t look that stylish, but they are fine for simple heating and defrosting tasks.

We’ve also discovered some Best Buy single microwave ovens from famous brands starting from £45.

Check out our expert microwave reviews before purchasing to get the most out of your money.

Dualit hand mixer

Our eagle eyes spotted the return of Dualit hand mixers scattered throughout this year’s tent.

They cost around £70 and are expensive because their bodies are made of durable metal rather than cheaper plastic. Although we haven’t tested them for a long time, we know that this makes them heavier than cheaper mixers, which can cause arm fatigue if you’re working with a large bowl of dough or whipping egg whites. The advantage is that they usually come with useful extra accessories, such as balloon whisks.

A cheaper alternative: the VonShef hand mixer

If you’re no longer in the mood for a retro hand mixer, but your budget is beyond the capabilities of a Dualit, Smeg, or KitchenAid, we spotted this similar-looking VonShef retro hand mixer. Again, we haven’t tested this product, so keep that in mind if you’re looking to buy it.

Alternatively, you can save money and valuable counter space by purchasing one appliance that can handle most of your baking tasks. Food processors are usually more versatile than stand mixers and hand mixers, although the bowls are often smaller and mixing may be less thorough.

See our guides to best hand blenders and the best food processors.

Magimix food processor

It looks like the Magimix food processor is back in the tent. It was also the brand of choice in previous years. Magimix food processors come with a variety of mixing bowls, which is useful when you’re preparing complicated recipes with multiple steps.

They also come with a wide range of attachments – for everything from chopping and grating to whipping, mixing and blending.

Their timeless design certainly suits the retro style of the tent, but premium brand Magimix products are also available at a higher price. Depending on which model you choose, you could spend anywhere from just over £200 all the way up to £400.

Is this the perfect cooking buddy in your kitchen? Read our full review of the test Magimix 4200XL food processor to learn.

Cheaper alternative: Compact mini food processor Salter EK3171

You don’t have to spend hundreds of pounds on a food processor – we’ve tested some decent options for around £60-70, but they may not be suitable for the full range of tasks you’d expect from a full-sized food processor.

If you’re on a budget, check out the affordable Salter EK3171 Compact Prep Pro.

Read ours Salter EK3171 Compact Prep Pro review to find out if this mini processor is up to the task. or cdamn it, ours food processor reviews to see how competing brands like Cuisinart, KitchenAid and Sage compare.

Neff Slide&Hide oven

Neff ovens are another permanent feature of the Bake Off tent, with distinctive slide-and-hide doors that conveniently open so you can get a closer look at the baked goods on display.

If you choose a Neff oven, you can expect advanced features that are sure to impress keen bakers, including steaming and pyrolytic self-cleaning. They also feature CircoTherm technology, which Neff says ensures even air circulation around the oven, helping you create multiple masterpieces at once.

They don’t come cheap, though, so you can expect to spend anywhere from £400 to as much as £1,600 for top-shelf models. Look at ours Neff oven reviews to see how well they perform in our rigorous testing and whether they’re worth bragging about.

See ours Neff N50 B2ACH7HH0B review for our full verdict.

Unfortunately, you won’t find this famous oven door on any other brand of oven, but if you’re a baking enthusiast, you’ll want an oven that does the basics well – sticks to the set temperature and bakes. Preheat evenly to help you achieve perfect baked goods.

This is not certain, however, as we have found ovens that deviate by more than 40°C from the set temperature – a one-way street to blackened cookies.

Go to our Guide to the best built-in ovens for 2024 to see how to buy the best for yourself. etclook at ours built-in oven reviews to discover the best models for your budget.

Taylor Pro Dual Platform digital kitchen scale

While some bakers are fans of the “throw it in the dough” method and see the approach, when it comes to bread baking and many other recipes, accuracy is key and we’ve noticed these scales on bakers’ tables this year.

We haven’t tested this kit thoroughly, but we did test it Taylor Pro Digital Double Kitchen Scale with bowl included.

For a cheaper alternative, try it Accuweight digital kitchen scale.

A selection of the best kitchen gadgets

The gadgets in the Bake Off tent are pleasing to the eye, but this is not always supported by best-in-class performance.

Some of them may be worth shelling out the cash for, but there are always cheaper options to consider if you don’t have a big budget to play with. Spending more does not guarantee a better product, so it is worth logging in or joining Which? to check out our reviews before you part with your hard-earned money.

For more top tips and everything you need to know, grab a cup and a slice of cake and read ours The best kitchen appliances: how to find the right items for your home guide.

Still not sure what kitchen gadgets you need? Brighten up your kitchen with our guide 5 cool kitchen gadgets.