# As mundane as it gets: Measuring cups and spoons **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 18, 2008, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-mundane-as-it-gets-measuring-cups-and-spoons/464111 "2008-09-18T08:06:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2008, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-mundane-as-it-gets-measuring-cups-and-spoons/464111/1 "2008-09-18T08:06:16Z")
In 2001 after Bush started bombing Afghanistan, we precipitously evacuated from Indonesia to Singapore, and I had to quickly stock an apartment kitchen with the tools I need to cook. I bought a set of measuring cups and spoons manufactured in China, and was amused to note that there was no 1/3 cup measure, but there was a 1/3 tsp measure. I figured the specifications had been garbled and the producer had gotten the cups and teaspoon requirements backward. Well, today I was in the grocery store and saw the same brand on sale, so impulsively checked what the cup and teaspoon sets consisted of. Darned if they weren’t still selling a set of cups that had no 1/3 cup measure, and a set of teaspoons that had a 1/3 teaspoon measure. I still have my 1/3 teaspoon from 2001, and I treasure it, because I collect measuring tools in odd amounts. I have a 4-teaspoon measure (it’s an Australian tablespoon, and great for when I use my cookbooks from Oz), a 1/2 tablespoon (aka 1-1/2 tsp), a 2/3 cup measure, and two 1-1/2 cup measures. Just try to be more mundane than that. ---
**Author:** ![Momofgirls](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/momofgirls/32/21798_2.png) [@Momofgirls](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Momofgirls)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2008, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-mundane-as-it-gets-measuring-cups-and-spoons/464111/2 "2008-09-18T18:01:59Z")
Not so mundane to me! I love to cook and bake, so a 1/3 teaspoon measure would be a cool thing to have. Couldn’t do without the 1/3 cup measure, though! ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2008, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-mundane-as-it-gets-measuring-cups-and-spoons/464111/3 "2008-09-18T18:56:13Z")
I have two measuring spoon sets that have the 1/2 tablespoon measures. I use them quite often - more convenient that measuring out 1-1/2 teaspoons, for sure. I also have an 1/8 teaspoon measuring spoon, which are hard to come by these days, and have seen measures for a pinch and a dash, though that’s a bit too anal for me. ---
**Author:** ![Mahna\_Mahna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e47c2d/32.png) [@Mahna\_Mahna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahna_Mahna)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2008, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-mundane-as-it-gets-measuring-cups-and-spoons/464111/4 "2008-09-18T19:07:13Z")
I have a 1/2 tbsp measure too. As other have said, it’s useful when the recipe calls for 1 1/2 tbsp of something (most often because I’ve halved a recipe that originally called for 3 tbsp). Also, I have a patented measuring sifter that I picked up at Goodwill for a buck a while ago… I still have no clue why the concept of measuring with my sifter is in any way more convenient than using a measuring cup to scoop out the flour in the first place, but it does do a damn good job of sifting. (interesting side note… HOLY CRAP, I just went looking online for photos and realised that the same sifters are being [listed on eBay](http://cgi.ebay.com/circa-1931-BROMWELLS-MEASURING-SIFTER-Red-Wood-Knob_W0QQitemZ150022451464QQihZ005QQcategoryZ11667QQcmdZViewItem)for as much as $25!) ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Woodhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@Miss\_Woodhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Woodhouse)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2008, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-mundane-as-it-gets-measuring-cups-and-spoons/464111/5 "2008-09-18T19:19:14Z")
I love my 2/3 c measuring cup and my 1/2 T measuring spoon. I have the odd size sets for both my measuring cups and measuring spoons. I believe the spoons also have a 2/3 t, but they do not have a 3/4 t, which annoys me because I use ATK cookbooks and they seem to adore 3/4 t measures for some reason. I also own a shot glass shaped liquid measuring cup that is marked for ounces, tablespoons, and teaspoons. It holds just about 1/2 c. I love using it to measure soy sauce for stir fry and lemon juice for lemon bars (my recipe calls for 6 T.) ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2008, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-mundane-as-it-gets-measuring-cups-and-spoons/464111/6 "2008-09-18T20:59:42Z")
You guys make me smile! I’m not a measuring cup junkie, but I did buy a 4 cup measuring cup recently. Pyrex! (Trust me, I’m not making fun of you - I love kitchen toys!) ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-mundane-as-it-gets-measuring-cups-and-spoons/464111/7 "2008-09-19T00:21:00Z")
I have a matched set of nesting measuring cups 1/8 1/4 1/3 1/2 2/3 3/4 1 The 1/2 Tablespoon is great for recipes that one has either halved or doubled. I’ve never seen a 1/3 teaspoon, but I’d get one if it was available. ---
**Author:** ![Sticks\_and\_Scones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sticks_and_scones/32/16951_2.png) [@Sticks\_and\_Scones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sticks_and_Scones)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-mundane-as-it-gets-measuring-cups-and-spoons/464111/8 "2008-09-19T00:26:08Z")
Sorry, definite hijack here… **Baker** , you and I have very similar professions and similar “Locations.” Coincidence?:eek: ETA: I have a set of a Tablespoon and a Teaspoon that look like little measuring cups and are magnetic and live on my fridge. ---
**Author:** ![Zulema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/db5fbb/32.png) [@Zulema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zulema)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-mundane-as-it-gets-measuring-cups-and-spoons/464111/9 "2008-09-19T03:55:11Z")
3/4 cup measurers are hard to find but also great. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-mundane-as-it-gets-measuring-cups-and-spoons/464111/10 "2008-09-19T04:02:36Z")
We have a 1/3-cup measure in our set of nesting measuring cups! 😃 But we never use it. The only thing, and I mean the ONLY thing, we ever make is pancakes, and we don’t need that particular size for that. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-mundane-as-it-gets-measuring-cups-and-spoons/464111/11 "2008-09-19T05:15:09Z")
So **Siam Sam** , if you never cook, what do you eat? Does someone cook for you? Do you go out to restaurants/order in Thai food all the time? I love Thai food. ---
**Author:** ![Auntbeast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Auntbeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Auntbeast)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-mundane-as-it-gets-measuring-cups-and-spoons/464111/12 "2008-09-19T06:15:18Z")
I have tons of measuring cups and spoons (except the 1 tsp. which always seems to go missing, grrr) and recently bought a set for the sole reason that it had the 3/4 cup cup! Wheee! ---
**Author:** ![SCSimmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@SCSimmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCSimmons)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-mundane-as-it-gets-measuring-cups-and-spoons/464111/13 "2008-09-19T15:40:17Z")
One of my measuring spoon sets has a 1-and-1/3 tablespoon (or 4 teaspoon) size included. The main thing I use it for is when I’m using small amounts of powdered milk in a recipe; this amount of powder in a scant 1/4 cup of water yields 1/4 cup of milk … ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-mundane-as-it-gets-measuring-cups-and-spoons/464111/14 "2008-09-19T15:50:51Z")
I am awash in measuring cups and spoons. My husband and I merged households when we married five years ago, and while some of the duplicates of things we had got purged, not the cups and spoons. I have two sets of nested measuring cups and at least four sets of measuring spoons. I covet spoons that say “dash” and “pinch” … I’m not anal; I just they they’d be fun! (Some measurements I am so familiar with I don’t even measure any more, such as 1/4 tsp. of salt.) I have the little shot-glass thing that measures teaspoons also, Missy Woodhouse. 🙂 LOVE IT. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-mundane-as-it-gets-measuring-cups-and-spoons/464111/15 "2008-09-19T16:16:47Z")
I have a set of Nigella measuring spoons that includes a “dessertspoon” measure. Fortunately, I did a graduate school project on silverware, so I know that a dessertspoon is equal to two teaspoons. Phew! I recently bought another set of pink plastic measuring spoons. It includes a 1/2 Tablespoon measure. Weird. I still haven’t had an opportunity to use it. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2008, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-mundane-as-it-gets-measuring-cups-and-spoons/464111/16 "2008-09-20T02:37:47Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > So **Siam Sam** , if you never cook, what do you eat? Does someone cook for you? Do you go out to restaurants/order in Thai food all the time? > > I love Thai food. Yes, just order out all the time or pick up something in a market and take it home. Our complex has a restaurant that we just call and they send something up. You can get a couple of full meal for a few bucks. Neither the wife nor I cook. But I still do the occasional pancake. It was my goofy-looking pancakes – and they do look pitiful – that probably tipped the scale and won her over way back in Hawaii. 😃