If we didn't already have two sets of measuring cups, we'd be buying this set from Lee Valley Tools, and here's why. Two words: Imperial, and metric.
Yes, these stainless steel cups are marked with metric equivalents to their Imperial measurements, very handy when adapting all those British, European, and Australian recipes. Heck, any recipes except American!
They are also built from high-grade stainless steel, much better than our plastic cups which are always getting chewed up in the dishwasher. Their measurements are stamped into the sides and the handles, so there's no chance that ink will get rubbed off. (Like on our current measuring spoons: we're always guessing which is the teaspoon.) Each cup also has impressed graduations on the inside and outside, so you can use the 3/4 cup to measure 1/2 cup as well.
And as if they couldn't get any cooler, they have pouring lips on both sides, to make them handy for both lefties and righties.
These are durable and very well-designed; we recommend them!
• Lifetime Measuring Cups, $18.50 at Lee Valley.
Related: Best Products: Lee Valley Stainless-Steel Rasp and Zester Holder
(Images: Lee Valley)
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nice
Also, it looks like they're all one piece, unlike my stainless steel set from Williams-Sonoma. I'm constantly digging flour out of the seam between the handle and the cup. Thanks for the recommendation!
Lee Valley has great products!
Just an FYI though, my understanding is that an Aussie tablespoon is 20 mL while in North America we use 15 mL. Likewise, here in Canada, we have some recipe writers and publications who use 60 mL as the equivalent for 1/4 cup and others who use 50 mL. Conversions aren't always as straight forward as we'd all like them to be!
http://danamccauley.wordpress.com
I was going to comment on their one-piece construction, too. I've had measuring cups actually break where the handle is attached to the cup, so one piece is great (I have the one-piece measuring cups from Crate & Barrel, which are also nice).
The Imperial cup is 10 oz. The US cup is 8 oz. Does this set really use Imperial measurements? Or does it use US measurements?
Read this Wikipedia article for more information on how the size of "1 cup" varies. And Imperial measures are NOT US measures.
Another comment: the measuring cups shown are the type I use for measuring dry ingredients, filling to the brim. Pouring spouts would be useful only if the cups were used for measuring liquids, but a liquid measuring cup is much better for that.
All this Imperial vs US vs metric talk has got my head spinning! I may just have to convert everything to millilitres...my lowest common denominator.
More help here:
http://foodgeeks.com/resources/conversioncharts.phtml#fm
Delikatissen
Oooh! I have these! and the measuring spoons too. They were the first thing I bought when I moved out of my parents' house. Lee Valley has so many well made products, definitely built to last.
A recommendation.. although I suppose the lack of imperial measurements make them not as all-round useful in the US
I have these also and they are great! My parents are actually a little obsessive about them (and the measuring spoons) and they are one of their standard wedding gifts. I would highly recommend them to everyone. Lee Valley has many other wonderful things as well.
Don't all measuring cups have both metric and imperial measurements? or is that just a Canadian thing?
I ordered these last week (from London) and they arrived yesterday. I must say I had great service from Lee Valley and the cups are great. I can't wait to try them out this weekend.