The spot where the bowl and handle meet is criticalin some cases, the bowl sits below the handle, or there's a sizable hump at the juncture, making it harder to sweep and at times causing dips and divots in the surface of fine and powdery ingredients. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission. They are top-rack dishwasher safe, but our tester said she would hesitate to put them in the dishwasher for fear the measurements may fade. This set is better for measuring dry ingredients because of the self-leveling feature. Donna Currieis a freelance food writer, published cookbook author, and kitchen gadget connoisseur for The Spruce Eats. Every product is independently selected and vetted by editors. Its particularly important in baking that measurements be specificthe entire success of the recipe may depend on it. Thats why precision is the single most important attribute of the best measuring spoons. Amco's spoons have a short leg at the end of each handle, allowing them to sit close to level on a flat surface. These substantial spoons have flattened bowl bottoms and curved handles that stabilize them on the countertop, allowing you to easily measure vanilla extract or honey. To rule out human error, we repeated the test four more times for each spoon, then averaged the readings to determine how accurate each spoon was against the NIST standard and, cumulatively, how accurate each set was. I love all things OXO, shares Khawaja. We disqualified three out of the 14 sets we tested due to such inaccuracies. We didn't notice any signs of those markings beginning to wear off after repeated washings (both by hand and in the dishwasher), or after handling and rubbing, but that doesn't mean it couldn't happen given enough time and abuse. The rectangular shape is designed with the narrowest of jars in mind, and its flat base is revered for easy leveling. For the widest range of measuring and ease of cleaning, the U-Taste 18/8 Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons are going to serve you well through countless recipes. We tested all the spoons on a variety of jars with openings of as small as an inch, noting how well the spoons fit and how much room they had inside to move around. While they might be more of a guide for the seasoned chef when it comes to spicing up paneer tikka kebabs or green chile enchiladas, these mini utensils are indispensable for the likes of leaveners and salt. Sharon Lehman, RDN, Product Tester. However, her partner's larger hands found the handles somewhat uncomfortable to grip. Lange, however, prefers the most streamlined approach. Sharon Lehman, RDN, Product Tester. | Definitely not, no matter how much we may wish it was. Material: Stainless Steel | Number of Spoons: Six | Additional Features: Leveler, "Since testing these spoons, this set has become my new go-to set of measuring spoons. The biggest concern our tester had with this set was that, being a budget set, it is not made from high-quality plastic. Some spoons have rubberized grip pads on the handle. Our tester thought the level might interfere with measuring liquids, but it didn't. Chop veggies, grind nut butters, and blend hummus with the push of a finger. The spoons are deep enough to measure liquids without fear of spilling, and you can even lay them flat to fill on your workspace. As for storage, these can be nested vertically. Farberware Color Measuring Spoons, Mixed Colors, Set of 5, Best for Spices: While no set perfectly nailed the NIST standards, our winners all fell within 1 gram of the target, with no individual spoon more than 0.6 gram off. productslearn more about, RSVP International 6-Piece Rectangular Measuring Spoon Set. The most accurate set tested, the OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Spice Jar Measuring Spoons have narrow heads for access into most sizes of spice jars, while their shovel-like bowls scoop easily into powdery cinnamon and densely packed brown sugar. We knew going into this that the measuring spoons we chose had to be accurate above all, across the whole seta feature we couldn't confirm without testing. Grays advice: Pick a set with handles that are similar in weight to the spoon, include engraved U.S. and metric measurements, and feature some mechanism that holds each piece together, such as a ring with a clasp. The 1/2 teaspoon was the most erroneous of the bunch, averaging a scant 0.2 gram off the 2.5-gram (i.e., milliliter) mark. To test durability, we pitted each tablespoon against brown sugar, an ingredient that can become rock-hard over time. Just dip the spoon into the container and squeeze to swipe the level across the top. They provide more stability and are easier to pour into and grip, too." Sets of magnetic measuring spoons that stay together stored away in a drawer are also available. Made from a combination of recycled, biodegradable bamboo (one of the fastest growing plants) and melamine fibers, these deep, round spoons also come with a set of cups designed with sustainable shoppers in mind. The Sur La Table Spice Measuring Spoons are also a six-piece set and performed just as well as the RSVP International. 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Instead, we decided it was better to find the best of each kind: a set of round spoons that are easiest to use for measuring liquids, and rectangular ones that can reach into a spice jar. Our tester then offered additional insights on each measuring spoon set's strengths and weaknesses. Because they're made from high-quality stainless steel, these are dishwasher safe. The most popular sets of measuring spoons include five options: 1/4, 1/2, and 1 teaspoon, in addition to 1/2 and 1 tablespoon. What sizes come in a measuring spoon set? The bowl of each spoon is deep, so liquids were easily contained, and the edge is straight and thin, which made leveling dry ingredients simple. They're also durable for being made of plastic and extra lightweight, which our tester appreciated when letting her toddler help prep a loaf of banana bread. With a typical tiny NYC kitchen, only the most useful tools make the cut at home. In the end, she thought she was scraping away too much of one ingredient when leveling, as she was unsure whether the ingredient should be level with the spoon's rim or just beneath the rim. They have a nice weight to them, as well. 1/4 teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, and 1 tablespoon are the four standard measuring spoons. Since these spoons are round, the larger measurements didn't fit into standard spice jars. The leveling feature is nice and does a really great job with a simple squeeze of the handle, but readers should be aware the excess ingredient will fall onto your counter or into your mixing bowl if you're not prepared to catch the excess with a clean bowl or the ingredient's container. Measuring spices requires the same precision as measuring sugar or salt, but since spice bottles tend to be narrow, round or wide spoons often don't fit inside the bottles to scoop the spices. There's not much of a handle to these spoons because of the squeezable self-leveling design, which made them a little uncomfortable to hold. But printed measurements (regularly seen on plastic spoons) can fade away, and Gray finds ceramic and porcelain too fragile and inaccurate. A gram might not sound like a lot, but it's about 80% of a 1/4 teaspoon's capacity; with some potent substances, like baking powder, that's enough to make a real difference. That's a slight disadvantage when you're measuring thin liquids, like water or vanilla extract, since it's easier to spill them. While this isnt terrible news for throwing together a meal for dinner, it is problematic for bakes. What are the four standard measuring spoons? Their recommendations for trusted tools can be found below, along with a few additional finds that are ready to level set ingredients. Lots of measuring spoons are dishwasher-safe, but not all of them. Nearly identical in build and performance are the Sur La Table Spice Measuring Spoons. The single greatest restriction we applied, born from Stella's years of working in commercial kitchens, was excluding spoons made from heat-sensitive materials like plastic, which can deform after holding hot candy syrup or bumping into scalding sheet pans. While some sets offer 1/8 and 3/4 teaspoon measures, we included any qualifying sets that had the four most common sizes: 1/4 teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, and 1 tablespoon. It keeps all the spoons together even when only grabbing one. As Gray noted, she finds shallower, round spoons like Acmos are best for measuring sticky ingredients like honey or peanut butter because theyre easier to scrape clean, and she also appreciates the products weighty feel. And if you dont happen to have a scale handy, we have two bits of expert advice. The spoons snap together for neat storage, so you'll always be able to find them in your kitchen drawer. More comprehensive sets may include 1/8 teaspoon and 3/4 teaspoon sizes. Material: Stainless steel and polypropylene | Number of Spoons: Four | Additional Features: Leveling arm, "At first glance, these measuring spoons look cheap, and I wasn't convinced the built-in levelers were necessary, but I was surprised at how well they actually work. In all, it includes nine spoons that measure 1/16 teaspoon, 1/8 teaspoon, 1/4 teaspoon, 1/3 teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, 3/4 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, 1/2 tablespoon, and 1 tablespoon. But it's a shape that makes scraping out thick and stubborn fluids, like honey and corn syrup, as easy as can be, which we think is worth it. You can also separate them and hang them on your refrigerator or another metal surface where they'll always be handy. Sticky and semi-solid ingredients, like natural peanut butter or honey, are tough to measure with these spoons. They're also dishwasher safe. (The manufacturers haven't confirmed it, but based on appearances and testing, we suspect they're made by the same company.). Check to be sure that the set you choose has the sizes you use most often. After running the spoons through all the above tests, and eliminating any that performed poorly in any of the tests, we were able to narrow down our picks to the following three sets. According to our tester, the stainless steel construction of these measuring spoons felt very sturdy and durable, with no give or bending when pressure was applied to the handles. By applying just a little force, she thought she could break the handle in two if she really wanted to. We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best Home cooks could be forgiven for not knowing that measuring spoons are coldhearted liars. Our biggest gripe: The included ball chain used to link the spoons is cumbersome to open and close, making it difficult to separate one spoon from the bunch. Are you buying each measuring spoon separately or as a set? Whether youre working with dry or wet ingredients, these handy spoons measure by volume. Accuracy is critical, perhaps a bit more than functionality, which is why she stresses that her spoons must be exacting in measurement. Measuring spoons are a must-have for adding ingredients in small amounts, and you'll reach for them over and over again when you're baking. But once dry ingredients are in the bowl, the design is easy to sweep level, meaning it can work for ground and powdery ingredients, too. RSVP International Endurance Spice Spoons, Amco Advanced Performance Measuring Spoons, OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Spice Jar Measuring Spoons. The bowls themselves are wide and shallow. I wouldn't choose it for liquids and semi-solid or sticky ingredients, like honey." Its helpful to have odd sizes on hand, especially when youre looking to tinker with a recipe by paring back on an ingredient or bumping one up in a flash. They're etched into the handles, but they're not as crisp as they could be, and some are darker and stand out more than others. Do you oftencut recipes in half? U-Taste 18/8 Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons, Best Budget: (If youve ever mistaken the 1/2 tablespoon for the 1/2 teaspoon when baking a layer cake, you know what we mean.). You could hold a jar over a spoon and coax the cinnamon out, but inevitably the avalanche of spice tumbles out, sending powder everywhere. Water slipped out of both rectangular and round ones with ease, leaving behind, at most, 0.1 gram. This helps keep the spoons still when they're sitting flat, making it easier to pour in liquids. The simplified, round design made from heavy-duty stainless steel is locked together by a ball chain. For each set's four main spoons (1/4 teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, and 1 tablespoon), we used an eyedropper to fill them with water so that the convex meniscus aligned with the bowl's rim. Measuring spoons generally range in capacity from the smallest at 1/4 teaspoon and the largest at 1 tablespoon. Lange recommends buying only from a trusted supplier, like a restaurant or cooking supply store, then giving them a trial run with familiar recipes. While the collection is quite extensive, our tester found they didn't take up much room in her drawer organizer since the full set nests inside one another and is held together by a detachable ring, which also allows hanging storage. It's not a reason to rule out this set, but we'd seriously consider finding a different ring, with an easier, quick-release mechanism, and tossing the chain in the trash. Generally, stamped markings are preferable, since they aren't prone to rubbing off over time the way printed ones can. Each set of measuring spoons in this roundup was tested by Sharon Lehman, a home cook and registered dietitian. Our tester was able to find the spoons she needed in next to no time at all. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Our expert measured salt, sugar, and cooking oil with this set. What we liked: The OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Spice Jar Measuring Spoons were the most accurate spoons tested. Spoons used for dining can be a variety of sizes, which makes it risky to use them as measuring spoons, particularly when baking. Material: Plastic | Number of Spoons: Five | Additional Features: Detachable ring, "This is a good set if you love colorful kitchen gadgets or want a budget set of measuring spoons. These spoons are nearly twice as heavy as our winning OXO rectangular set, with handles that are thicker than a nickel. Some studies have shown that dry ingredients (leaveners, spices) tend to release more easily from shallower spoonsit has to do with static electricityand liquids and oils are best suited to round spoons, she explains. Published Sep 4, 2021 3:00 AM, Designed to divvy out the tiniest amounts of ingredients, from peppercorns to baking soda, measuring spoons are a staple in any home kitchen. As a recipe taster, I use my spoons all the time, notes private chef Fatima Khawaja. One tablespoon was light by nearly 4 gramsalmost a teaspoon's worth! As a serious baker, Gray gets good use out of her round and elongated pairs. Smoking, searing, bakingthese pellet grills can do it all without breaking the bank. Most contemporary recipes published in books or online have printed measurements that can include the use of measuring spoons to assure that the recipe comes out the way it was planned. We considered the inclusion of 1/8 and 3/4 teaspoon sizes a nice bonus, but not an essential feature. The bowls align with the sturdy handles, making it even easier to get a level scoop. Each spoon is made from sturdy stainless steel with a brushed finish and is dishwasher safe. Then we scooped up brown sugar to evaluate how much the handles flexed under stress. The handles are tapered and extra long, so they're comfortable to grip and offer plenty of space to keep your fingers out of whatever you're dipping the spoons into. Sharon Lehman is a freelance writer and Registered Dietitian Nutritionist specializing in food, health, and wellness topics. What we didn't like: While the spoons tip back toward the handle when placed on the countertop, they do nest together neatly, taking up little space in the drawer. Made from high-quality stainless steel, the material feels thick and sturdy and doesn't give or bend when pressure is applied to the handle. Four spoons complete this set, including 1/4 teaspoon, 1/2 teaspoon, 1 teaspoon, and 1 tablespoon, all of which are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. Our Favorite Rectangular Measuring Spoon Set: OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Spice Jar Measuring Spoons, Our Favorite 6-Piece Rectangular Measuring Spoon Set: RSVP International Endurance Spice Spoons, Our Favorite Round Measuring Spoons: Amco Advanced Performance Measuring Spoons, The Criteria: What We Look for in Measuring Spoons. The hefty two-millimeter-thick metal handles have stamped measurements, including milliliters, and the bowls are very easy to sweep level. Though keep in mind that while this set is dishwasher safe, she advises against running them through a cyclethe spoons are steel but the clasp is not, which could lead to corrosion. Her cookbook,"Make Ahead Bread,"would be a great place to start testing out your favorite measuring spoons. U-Steel 18/8 Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons, U-Taste 18/8 Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons, 180 Degrees Flower Pot Measuring Spoon Baking Set. The RSVP International 6-Piece Endurance Spice Spoon Set's four spoons were off by 0.9 gram in total, with the tablespoon the most egregious at 0.3 gram. For less than $10, this budget-friendly option still ticks all the boxes: a collapsible ring, etched measurements, and 18/10 stainless steel. We think a set of task-specific spoons is a better approach, and this is where the rectangular spoons excel. Our tester noted the spoons are a tad too large to fit inside most spice jars, but the magnetic feature more than makes up for this minor inconvenience. Some had designs that made it surprisingly difficult to do this evenly. This fraction refers to the percentages of chromium and nickel alloys, respectively, a make-up that helps reduce rusting, maintain a high polish finish, and generally extend their life span. Other methods include using a magnetic knife rack, wall hooks, or even standing upright in a container on the kitchen counter. Because 1 milliliter of water weighs exactly 1 gram, we were able to determine accuracy by weighing the amount of water each could hold. Each measuring spoon set was rated on design, performance, durability, ease of cleaning, and overall value. They have a ring with a clasp, the spoons fit in all my jars, and they have a really nice weight to them. For Lange, the ring is a pretty big deal. Others take the nitty gritty one step further with 1/8 and 2/3 teaspoonswhat Gray denotes as the odd sizesto increase that number to seven. This set includes the sizes you'll use most often, so it's a great starter set for new chefs makingsimple and easy recipes. Measurement markings can be etched into the spoon, stamped onto the spoon, or be part of the molding process and appear as extruded parts of the spoon or even painted or printed onto the spoon. We repeated the test with honey. Their spoons are accurate and designed well. For this set in particular, Khawaja appreciates the comfortable, non-slip grip on the handle (an OXO signature), but the best part is their compact stackability reinforced by magnets. Since theres so much variation, be sure to choose spoons with markings that are easy to read and long-lasting. Rectangular measuring spoons are better able to get into small spice jars; round ones make that difficult. We ruled out any sets that were cumulatively off by 1 gram or more. One of our top picks is the RSVP International Endurance Spice Spoons. But the truth is, almost all measuring spoons are off by at least a little. Dreamfarm Levoons Self-Leveling Measuring Spoons, We Tested the Best Kitchen Gadgets to Make Any Cooking Task a Breeze. Test 3: Dip-and-Sweep Test for Dry Ingredients, Our Favorite Rectangular Measuring Spoons for Spices: OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Spice Jar Measuring Spoons (Discontinued), Our Favorite Round Measuring Spoons for Liquids: Amco Advanced Performance Measuring Spoons. It comes down to personal choicesome cooks prefer short handles they can grip between two fingers, others prefer a longer handle that extends toward the palm of the hand. What we didn't like: If there's one true downside, it's that these spoons have their measurings printed on them, not stamped or molded. It's worth noting that our top rectangular measuring spoon set from OXO is no longer available, but we've kept the mention of it in this review for informative purposes. The U-Taste 18/8 Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons are equally great as a first set for new cooks or a complete set for cooks who often cut recipes in half (resulting in a lot of small ingredient quantities). In terms of shape, take a look at whether the handle is thin, has sharp edges, is rounded, or is flat to determine which shape will feel better when youre using it. The bowls have a unique shovel-like shape that is not as boxy as other rectangular spoons, which makes them excellent diggers. The U-Steel 18/8 Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons took first place on our list because they're durable and have a wide range of measurements, which are permanently etched into each spoon. This piece was updated byJenny Kellerhals, a professional pastry chef and food writer based in New York City. The width of the tablespoon's head, at just over an inch, is narrow enough to slip into nearly all of the jars we tested, including basics like supermarket cinnamon. This test proved the harsh truth of how cooking projects can go awry even when you follow the recipe to the letter. Heres Khawajas method of checking: There should be three teaspoons in one tablespoon. our process. Sharon has been writing and testing products for The Spruce Eats since 2019. The only improvement that could be made is if it included an extra measurement or two, like a 1/8 teaspoon. Morgan Bulman How do you keep measuring spoons together?