How To Choose Measuring Cups And Spoons

What are the different types of measuring cups and spoons?

Liquid and dry ingredients are measured in different types of measuring cups and spoons for better accuracy.

Dry measuring cup

• Usually made of aluminum, stainless steel, plastic, and silicone.
• Available in different sizes, has a flat top for leveling off the ingredient.
• Essential for cooking and baking.
• Used for measuring and scooping solid ingredients such as oats, flour, sugar, shortening, and rice.
• Typically come in sets with common measurements: ¼ cup, ½ cup, ⅔ cup, ¾ cup, and 1 cup.
• Adjustable models come with a slide bar that allows measurements in different amounts, also ideal for measuring peanut butter. Push the tube to extract the ingredient.

Liquid measuring cups

• Made of clear or translucent plastic or glass.
• Larger in volume
• A handle and spout for easy pouring.
• Measurements are in terms of volume with ¼ cup increments.
• Typical sizes are 8 cups, 4 cups, 2 cups, and 1 cup.
• The amount of liquid can easily be seen and marked with lines. Some show ounces and ml measurements as well.

Measuring spoons

• Made of plastic, stainless steel, and silicone.
• Typically come in a set of 4 spoons or more.
• Have flat or round bottom
• An essential tool for those who bake a lot.
• Basic measurements: 1 tablespoon, 1 teaspoon, ¼ teaspoon, and ½ tablespoon.
• Used for measuring dry and liquid ingredients in small quantities.
• Adjustable measuring spoons have slide bars and stoppers which are convenient for controlling the number of ingredients you want to put in the dish.

Which material is best for measuring cups and spoons?

Stainless steel is the most durable material in terms of dry ingredient measuring cups. They resist well to frequent washing and hardly ever break or bend.

When it comes to liquid measuring cups, the best material to choose is glass. This material doesn't pick up the ingredient's smells and can easily be cleaned. However, glass measuring cups are fragile and may crack when exposed to boiling hot liquids.

Dry and liquid measuring cups made of plastic are favorable for those on a budget. The drawback is that plastic is porous and can easily absorb flavors and stains. Plastic measuring cups and spoons can also melt when handling hot liquids.

Silicone measuring cups are more robust than plastic and can resist heat.

What are the important features to look for in measuring cups and spoons?

• For better convenience, opt for heat resistant measuring cups and spoons. Silicone and stainless steel are the go-to materials when dealing with hot ingredients.

• Choose practical handles. Bent handles offer more security when lifting and stack well compared to looped handles. Grippy silicone handles provide a greater grip. Shorter handles don't easily bend and offer greater control, unlike long handles.

• The measurements on your liquid measuring cup will not wear off if they are enameled.

• An angled liquid measuring cup has rings on the inside which lets you keep track of the ingredient's measurement without the need to bend over when checking the accuracy at eye level.

Which measuring cups and spoons are easy to store?

Ease of storage isn't a factor that most people think about when purchasing measuring cups and spoons. However, the products should be easy to store in your kitchen after each use.

• Plastic and stainless steel measuring cup and spoon sets are convenient for small storage spaces.

• These are designed to be stacked which doesn't require a lot of space.

• Handles with embedded magnets prevent them from sticking to one another when in-store.

• A ring to hold the spoons and cups together is a practical feature to consider if they often get lost or get stuck in your kitchen drawer.

• You can also place your measuring spoons in spice jars if they are long and narrow. This way, they can become kitchen decor at the same time.