We all know that when it comes to baking, it's important to be exact in your measurements. There's a world of difference between a heaping teaspoon and a perfectly leveled one. Too much baking powder in your cookie batter will potentially result in bitter cookies and odd leavening. And while the old system of using a butter knife to level your measuring spoons does work, the lazy among us often skip this step, haphazardly leveling their spoons with a finger or a few well-placed taps. However, salvation has arrived, in the form of Self-Leveling Measuring Spoons. These measures have a sliding lever that scrapes off the excess and ensures that you always have the exact amount of baking powder, soda or cinnamon. I have about ten sets of measuring spoons, so I'll probably skip this set for now. However, for the people who do a whole lot of precision baking, I can see how these would make a great addition to their array of tools.
What do you guys think? Ingenious or ridiculous?
[via Book of Joe]











Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-09-2008 @ 3:29PM
Julie said...
They are clever and I am sure that many people will buy them which is fine, I've been known to dabble in the gadget department myself. The thing I find funny is the greatest cooks/bakers throughout history and those in our very own families from generations ago managed just fine without them.
http://noshtalgia.blogspot.com/
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3-09-2008 @ 3:42PM
Peter said...
Those are silly. You should try to get close, but you can't tell me that 1 teaspoon is just the right amount and 1 1/8 will ruin the recipe.
The measurements were all rounded up or down anyway. Do you really think it's a coincidence that something requires exactly 1 cup flour? How come you never see recipes that ask for 15/16 cup or 1 1/8 cups? Because they are just rounded to 1 cup and they come out fine.
So, try to get close but no need to get obsessive about it.
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3-09-2008 @ 4:21PM
Cynthia said...
Yes, ridiculously unnecessary, but I want them all the same. It would just be handy to scoop and scrape off all in one go.
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3-09-2008 @ 5:20PM
bellecurves7 said...
nope, too silly for me. and besides, it looks like flour and spices and stuff will only get stuck in that mechanism thing. too hard to clean!
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3-09-2008 @ 6:40PM
Doctor Electro said...
At first glance it seems to me to be a waste of brainpower and technology. I can see the advantage to certain people, however. A paraplegic may only have one hand to work with. I can see other advantages as well. For me, though it is unnecessary.
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3-10-2008 @ 1:45AM
ehnohneemass said...
A piece of paper would also do the trick... XD
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3-10-2008 @ 2:38AM
Ron said...
If your too lazy to make the cookies without a little inconvience, your probably to fat to be eating cookies anyway. "DOWNRIGHT REDICUL0US"
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3-10-2008 @ 11:40AM
doodoolemonque said...
Since measurements are not standard internationally or even within the US, the concern over minor variations seems misplaced. Volume measurements are set by state regulations and vary from state to state. If such exacting specificity are so crucial to a recipe's success, it is one that is bound for failure. Humidity and oven variations variations will surely doom it. I have never failed to execute a recipe successfully using the old " eh, a little more (or less) technique. Just get over it and bake already!
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3-10-2008 @ 12:18PM
love2cook said...
I don't think this is lazy i think it's super. i am a busy mom who often has one hand so this is great. i do a lot of cooking so i would need several sets but i think that this is a great idea i would also love it in cups. i also agree this would be great for a family member that has had a stroke or ailment.
http://organicandnaturalmom.blogspot.com/
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3-10-2008 @ 12:24PM
justin said...
I don't think it is a matter of being lazy, I think it is stupid because its one more thing to break, one more thing to clean.
There is no recipe that is EXACTLY EXACT, sure some of the stuff it matters, but everything changes from kitchen to kitchen. The relative humidity and density of flour could probably throw you off by almost a quarter cup in say, 3 cups of flour, but the rest of the ingredients will adjust for that just fine.
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3-11-2008 @ 3:50PM
Rachelle said...
I've never had a problem with saying, "That looks close enough," or just using my finger. Part of the fun of baking is getting flour all over your hands!
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3-11-2008 @ 6:31PM
Adriane said...
I can see how many would find this handy and clever. I mean, it's a better idea than many gadgets I've seen. However, I find it just as easy to use the side of the cardboard box flap or the backside of the knife. Home bakers don't need to be exacting in their recipes most often, and commercial bakers are rarely using such small quantities...so...
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3-14-2008 @ 5:43AM
Micah said...
Really now, this is just lazy, plain and simple. And the damn thing will probably cost an extra $5 just because of this goofy "additional feature." I'll pass. That's what I have fingers for (or, failing that for whatever reason, a freaking butter knife).
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