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The Top 7 Measuring Tools Every Kitchen Needs

January 28, 2011 By Lisa Rose 18 Comments

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Top 7 Measuring Tools Every Kitchen Needs | Real Food Kosher

Though I believe in the need for spontaneity and creativity in the kitchen there are times specific tools are not only helpful but a necessity. This is especially relevant when baking – which is as much a science as a creative pursuit. These are the Top 7 Measuring Tools Every Kitchen Needs;

1. Liquid Measuring Cups

Liquid and dry ingredients need separate kinds of measuring tools. Liquid measures usually come in 1-cup, 2-cup, 4-cup, and 8-cup sizes.  A 2-cup measure, like the Pyrex  2-Cup Measuring Cup, is probably the most used of all. The larger sizes, like the 4 and 8 cup, can double as a mixing bowl as well and therefore also practical to own. Another kind I particularly like is the Dezine Products 2-Cup Mix-N-Measure Glass Measuring Cup that lists grams, ounces, teaspoons, tablespoons, and milliliters. I recommend glass measuring cups instead of plastic.

2. Dry Ingredients Measuring Cups

A basic set for measuring dry ingredients will include 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, and 1 cup measures. I recommend stainless steel instead of plastic – it’s more durable and can withstand the heat of the dishwasher without degrading the material. I don’t recommend cups that have a spout for pouring since this can affect the measurement of your ingredients.

3. Measuring spoons

Measuring spoons will typically come in 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, and 1 teaspoon and 1 tablespoon. Stainless steel is the best option. I like to have two sets of measuring spoons when I’m doing a full day of cooking and baking. I use one for dry ingredients (like spices) and one for liquid so there is no need to keep cleaning between measuring from wet to dry. I also prefer narrow-shaped spoons instead of round that can fit into spice jars.

4. Scale

If you do any baking you need a scale! Measuring by weight is more accurate – volume measurements are not exact.  It is the best way to measure flour but I use it all the time for measuring chocolate baking bars. Using a scale eliminates the need for different tools, you can measure your liquids and dry ingredients by weight directly in a bowl.

A digital scale that measures grams, kilograms, ounces, or pounds is the best option. Also look for one that resets to zero to measure your next ingredient. My scale is about 10 years old – I’m sure whatever is available now will be better then mine. Mine shuts off of after one minute. Look for one withat least a 3-minute auto shut-off (I’ve already had to dump out ingredients and re-measure on mine).  My next scale will probably be the EatSmart Digital Kitchen Scale – I’ve seen it recommended by Rose Levy Beranbaum and Michael Ruhlman.

5. Instant – Read Thermometer

I use a Thermapen instant- read thermometer that I read about in Cook’s Illustrated years ago. The newer models have many improvements like a faster measuring time (3-5 seconds), a splash proof design, and a temperature range to 572 degrees F. A full range is practical since you will not need a separate candy/deep fry thermometer (for syrups and caramels), breads, and meats. Whichever model you choose, a digital one is best.

For bread making: most breads are ready at 200F to 210F, egg rich breads like challah and brioche at 180F-190F.

6. Oven Thermometer

Using an oven thermometer is the only way to know how accurate your oven is – it’s not uncommon for ovens to run too hot or not hot enough. With an oven thermometer you can compensate for discrepancies. This is vital when following recipes. You will have greater success if you can come as close as possible to the conditions the recipe creator used.

7. Timer

A timer will keep you organized and keep distractions from potentially ruining your food. There are countless options for kitchen timers. I don’t have a separate one, I use the timer on my ovens and haven’t found a need for a more sophisticated tool. But my oven also has a built in probe that will beep once a desired temperature is reached. There are timers available with this function that is practical for roasting turkey and other meats. Another useful option are timers that will count up once the time is up, so if you are late to the kitchen you know how long it’s been since the time went off.  It’s always a good idea to set the timer early depending on what you are making to check on browning and other variables.

But I still manage to ruin a few things every now and then … The one tool that doesn’t exist is the one that would have prevented my brownies from over-baking because all my kids and their friends are starving for a snack the same time the phone rings and someone is at the door and I have onions frying in the pan and I was five minutes late to get them out – and over-baked brownies just aren’t the same. (I crumbled them up and made them into ice cream toppings – that’s where the spontaneity and creativity come in).

Canning Jars with Measuring Marks

Wide Mouth Canning Jars

These canning jars didn’t make my top 7 list of essential measuring tools, but I use them so often that I wanted to share one last tip.

These are Ball wide-mouth canning jars that have cups and milliliter markings on them. They are perfect for storing egg whites, kefir, homemade purees, and reviving sourdough and at the same time showing you how much you have. For homemade salad dressing you can measure, mix, and store all in one container.

Do you use any of these measuring tools? Do you have a favorite kind or tip to share?

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Comments

  1. Wine Devices says

    September 7, 2015 at 12:59 am

    I am not good in measuring kitchen ingredients so I always make sure that my measuring tools in the kitchen are complete. I am very strict about the ingredients ‘coz I always want to perfect all the recepies.

    Reply
  2. Jackie Bolen says

    March 17, 2016 at 11:06 pm

    I have almost all of these measuring tools except for the thermometer and scale. Not that I don’t have them, but I think I need to replace them with new ones. I haven’t realized how important they are in my cooking until I read this.

    Reply
  3. Kenneth Gladman says

    April 1, 2016 at 1:36 pm

    I would say measuring tools are pretty crucial for cooking quality food. I think one that gets overlooked is the oven thermometer. That is a great way to see how accurate your oven is.

    Reply
  4. Jidapa Akkarathanaratthachai says

    July 4, 2016 at 3:41 am

    What about straight icing spatulas and offset icing spatulas? I will be baking, icing, and building my first layer cake soon and I need some tips on icing spatulas. I want to build my collection of icing spatulas. I will be doing many more layer cakes in the near future. Do you have any suggestions for a beginning baker like me on where to start? What I am looking for specifically is a suggestion of 3 straight icing spatulas and 3 offset icing spatulas to start with, I can always buy more later on. I want to buy them in different sizes so I can ice a variety of cakes with ease. Any tips you can give me on the sizes I should get, the type of handle, the best brand to buy etc, would be very helpful, also you can tell me what you use, because your cakes are always iced beautifully. Do I even need three of each or is one of each okay to start? Any advice you can give me would be great. I love your blog! Have a great day!!

    Reply
  5. Anna Wright says

    March 12, 2017 at 11:12 pm

    Hey! thanks for the list 🙂 definitely gonna apply in my kitchen 🙂

    Reply
  6. Anna says

    July 5, 2017 at 8:08 am

    Great post! From my own experience thermometer is vital when you cook something like this.

    Reply
  7. JS says

    January 23, 2018 at 5:08 am

    For a timer I have started using the voice controlled Alexa from Amazon. I guess Google Home will do the same thing.

    Just talk to it when you are putting something in the oven or whatever timer you need. It is hands free. You can measure any time interval you want. You can set as many timers as you need. You can ask how long is left.

    Reply
  8. davied says

    January 24, 2018 at 10:37 pm

    Your list must need every kitchen because all kitchen should have this measuring tools. Thank you for shear a great list.

    Reply
  9. david rhodm says

    March 17, 2018 at 12:39 pm

    Hey Lisa Rose ,
    Your post is really great. I enjoy your article. This blog in share all tools very essential for a kitchen. This article is very helpful and informative. Thank you for share such post.

    Reply
  10. Andrew Powell says

    April 27, 2018 at 11:45 am

    Your share tools list is very helpful for a kitchen. Every kitchen should have this kitchen tools. This is very beautiful blog. I like your article information. Thank you for share such tools list.

    Reply
  11. Gloria Diaz says

    July 16, 2018 at 7:41 am

    Thank you for these tips!

    Reply
  12. Sattvik says

    September 9, 2018 at 11:04 am

    Very informative, covered all major kitchen measurement tools. Ready to apply knowledge! Thanks.

    Reply
  13. Jonathan says

    June 12, 2019 at 6:08 pm

    This is a great post. Love in reading your post. Your kitchen tools list is awesome. I’ve benefited from your blog because the information is very helpful. Thanks for sharing an excellnt article.
    Jonathan recently posted..Best Electric Egg Cooker Reviews in 2019 & Buying Guide

    Reply
  14. Furnipart NZ says

    January 8, 2020 at 5:40 pm

    Indeed, all the tools you’ve presented above is useful. I used all these measuring tools every day. Thanks for sharing this post.

    Reply
  15. Mike schemm says

    April 21, 2020 at 2:25 pm

    Why do we need different measuring cups for liquid and dry ingredients when measuring volume? Volume is volume, 1 cup whether filled with water or milk or sugar or flower takes up the same volume.

    Reply

Trackbacks

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    December 10, 2011 at 11:42 am

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    […] have found that you definitely need Measuring Tools, that way you have the right measurements when adding ingredients.  The most common tools I use […]

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Lisa Rose
Lisa Rose is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner passionate about real food and sustainable living.
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