I'm a big fan of keeping unnecessary tools and gadgets out of my kitchen, but I find that there's one item I don't mind owning a few extras of: measuring cups and spoons. The reason is simple. There are very few recipes that require just one teaspoon of something or don't need more than one measuring cup. These utensils are used daily in my kitchen, if not several times a day, and they don't take up a lot of space. So why not have a few extras around?
That said, I do try to strategize my measuring devices to avoid using too many. I always measure out the dry items first, for instance, because I can usually use the spoons again for the wet stuff without washing them before hand. And if a recipe calls for both oil and something sticky like molasses or nut butter, then I always measure the oil first so that the sticky stuff doesn't, well, stick. I've also been known to utilize the fact that 4 tablespoons equals 1/4 cup as a way to not dirty a measuring cup.
But often I'm happy that I have more than one tablespoon in my kitchen. While I have adapted Deborah Madison's pan of soapy water trick to quickly wash and reuse utensils, the truth is just dried items are often slightly damp no matter how much I wipe them with a towel. Besides, it's really not that much of a bother to wash an extra measuring cup or two.
How about you? Do you keep it minimal or do you like to have a few spare measuring cups and spoons around?
Related: On How I Organize My Measuring Spoons
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I was fortunate enough to receive two sets of stainless steel measuring cups from Lee Vally for Christmas this year, this post has me contemplating returning them, or keeping them for extras...
I use a scale most of the time so my measuring cups don't get that much use (I am getting really good at converting cups to grams for flour, sugar and butter), but I do have 3 sets of measuring spoons which are handy because we make just about everything ourselves.
I have about three sets each of cups and spoons, in part because (annoyingly) amounts aren't always consistent across all the sets. For instance, using the 4 T=1/4 cup, I discovered that one of my tablespoons is actually more of a half-tablespoon, but it still works great for scooping and sprinkling stuff that doesn't really need to be measured. And another set has an 1/8 t or a 2/3 cup, and yes, I usually end up using items from a few different sets while I'm cooking.
I love this post. I have two sets of cups and spoons. As a food blogger, I go through many of them each day. Very handy to have an extra set. Now what I really need is an extra stand-mixer bowl. :)
I have multiples of these items as well: two of the measuring cups and 3 measuring spoons. ALWAYS glad I have the additonal ones on hand.
One advantage of using a scale.
I also have two sets of each, but I am wishing I had like 6 tablespoon and teaspoon measures. Anyone know where I can get singles? And not the adjustable ones...
I only have one set of spoons and cups, but I bought extra 1tsp spoons recently. I use them alot!
I only have one set of dry measuring cups, as I bake very little and use a scale for dry stuff fairly often anyway. However I do have multiple glass microwave-safe measuring cups for liquids in various sizes, and use them all the time, as well as 3 sets of measuring spoons - so happy to have clean backups!
I recently got a few extra sets of measuring spoons from my mother-in-law when she was cleaning out her kitchen. It's really helped to have multiple sets.
I have multiple sets of measuring spoons and one set of stainless measuring cups for dry ingredients. Also have a set of the Pyrex for liquid measures. I really like the set of nesting measuring bowls put out by M. Batali. I use those a lot for liquid and dry. Easy to use (except for the lack of a 1/3 c measure) and can be rinsed and used again quickly.
Agreed--I always pick up these items when I see them at yard sales.
I have multiples of a lot of things in the kitchen. I think it's a sickness!
Same here, I have 2 sets of dry measuring cups, plus one extra aluminum cup with gradient measurements when I need an extra dry cup for something that I bought used somewhere, in like new condition too.
I also have 2 sets of measuring spoons, and 2 one cup wet measuring cups (glass Pyrex), a 2 cup glass Pyrex, and the 8 cup glass version from Anchor Hocking. Use them all, but also am getting more into using my scale from Escali when the recipe allows, such as those from Smitten Kitchen.
I also use it also to weigh stuff for weight defrost, as it works great when I need to quickly defrost something for dinner because I didn't plan ahead to get it out the night before.
2 sets of dry measuring cups and 3 of spoons. Not just because I find it handy but my husband bakes too and he has his own favorite cups/spoons. I have managed to keep it to one pyrex measuring cup for liquids.
If I had to get by with one set of measuring spoons, for sure they'd be these: http://progressiveintl.com/index.php/details/magnetic_spoons1 They store neatly and double the measuring power of each spoon.
I only recently bought a second/extra set of measuring spoons and cups - they come in handy, particularly the spoons!
I also have a few glass measuring cups. The Pyrex are my favorite and I have 3 sizes. You can't seem to have too many glass measuring bowls of different sizes, too.
I have 2 1-cup measures, three sizes of glass measuring cups, and 2 sets of measuring spoons. One of the sets is on a ring, so I use it for dry ingredients so I don't have to wash it often. The others are loose, so I use them for liquid ingredients, although I do have a little measuring jigger, too. Oh, and one of those 2-piece sliding measures that are great for ingredients like honey, peanut butter, and shortening.
I do a lot of baking and cooking, and I do often measure things by eye or in my hand, but I find these measuring tools invaluable.
I have 2 sets of cups and spoons (post household merging with husband) and it's really nice. One set of spoons is two ended and oblong so easier to get into the spice jars..
I have the set that eclectorama linked to, and cannot recommend them enough! They are wonderful. It's the only set we need, the dual-sided nature of them makes them as useful as two sets of spoons, the narrow end can easily fit into small spice jars, and the magnetic aspect means they always stay together in our drawers. Here's the link again:
http://progressiveintl.com/index.php/details/magnetic_spoons1
Truly, if you are only going to invest in one set, this is it!
I have several sets of measuring cups and spoons, too, for exactly the same reason--I go through so many in a day of cooking! I particularly like spoons with the measurement etched into the spoon--in other words, "1/4 teaspoon" isn't painted on because after a while it wears off and that makes it too easy to confuse different spoons. I also love, love, love my OXO 1/4 cup measuring cups--so handy! I have 3!
Nope, one set of spoons and one set of cups is more than enough for me.
I find it MUCH easier to learn to measure dried stuff (salt, herbs, spices and such) in the cupped palm of my hand. Most of my measuring in spoons and cups is for baking.
I suppose if I baked all-day, every day I'd need another set. But on the rare occasions I have a marathon day of baking, I can wash and re-use the same utensils.
I really like not having multiples cluttering the space up.
I have a glass tumbler filled with many different measuring spoons and a large bowl full of measuring cups. I have a few large measuring cups and bowls also. I use them all.
I always feel like I could do with another set of measuring spoons. I'm only at university right now though so maybe I should wait until I have my own home..I already have a lot more kitchen equipment than your average college student!
I have two 1-cup liquid measuring liquid measuring cup, 2 4-cup liquid measuring cups and 1 8-cup liquid measuring cup, a couple of sets of dry measuring cups and a cuple of sets of measuring spoons.
I bought a scale with a 1 gram margin of error for measuring bulkier items like the flour, sugar, butter and another scale with a .001 margin of error for salt, baling powder, baking soda, yeast, spices etc. I even weigh all my liquid ingredients. I love using the scales because aside from being very accurate, I end up with less items to wash.
Last Christmas though, the batteries drained and it was nice to still have my old reliable measuring tools.
I'm a baker so we have 4 sets of measuring cups and I haven't counted but I think 2 sets of spoons. When I'm in the zone I really appreciate that I don't have to stop and do the dishes. Plus they nest so the space they take is minimal. We found some stainless that are one piece which was the best decision we've made. They're solid and no annoying gaps/rivets to clean.
@babygrace & eclectorama, thanks for sharing the link to those magnetic measuring spoons. So clever to have narrower versions of the same measure for reaching into spice jars! They make me wanna donate my two sets of stainless steel spoons (that have served me well for years) & buy those!
Where can I get the measuring spoons featured in the photo? They would make a great second set.