Kitchen Essentials: Measuring Cups & Spoons

[DoughReMi]

I have a few sets of dry measure cups and spoons, but my favorite are my stainless steel ones of each. I just find they are easier to level off and they empty better. (My plastic ones create some sort of static cling or something, or else they're hungry ; they like to cling to very powdery stuff like AP flour and it takes a few "klinks" against the mixing bowl rim to get it all out.)

I also have a variety of sizes of Pyrex fluid measure cups.

I also, just this past weekend, purchased a digital scale, though I haven't used it yet. I'm going to try Alton Brown's "Very Basic Bread" real soon, as it has weight measurements. I have made it once before after puzzling out the weight measurements to volume. I also had to adjust and add a wee bit more water during the mixing because my dough was a tad too dry. Weighing the flour should solve that problem, I hope.

[Food Network Fan]

I love Alton's recipes. I bought my kitchen scale because of Alton. It does make a difference to weigh.

[Callisto in NC]

I've had a digital scale for years and only recently started using it for cooking as more and more recipes are by weight. Weight makes a difference when you need an "8 ounce jar of X" for a recipe and all they sell is 12 ounce jars. And 8 measured ounces are not 8 weight ounces, that's for sure.

[DoughReMi]

Originally Posted by Food Network Fan

I love Alton's recipes. I bought my kitchen scale because of Alton. It does make a difference to weigh.

Thanks for the welcome. Alton Brown was a big influence on my decision to purchase the scale.

Originally Posted by Callisto in NC

I've had a digital scale for years and only recently started using it for cooking as more and more recipes are by weight. Weight makes a difference when you need an "8 ounce jar of X" for a recipe and all they sell is 12 ounce jars. And 8 measured ounces are not 8 weight ounces, that's for sure.

Wow; I never realized cans and jars that said they contained "X ounces" were referring to weight, and not volume. Thanks, that's good to know.

[Callisto in NC]

Originally Posted by DoughReMi

Wow; I never realized cans and jars that said they contained "X ounces" were referring to weight, and not volume. Thanks, that's good to know.

It could just be dry, I haven't tested peas or beans, but I will. I do know that 8 ounces of dry creamer = 10 measured ounces. It made a difference in the hot chocolate recipe I have. Weight is definitely important when dealing with packaged ingredients.