Is there a difference between liquid and dry measuring cups

Elizabeth Laseter is a writer and editor with over a decade of digital content experience in the food and cooking space.

I am going out on a limb here and estimating that at least 4 out of every 10 homes now only has 1 set of measuring cups. And this one set is used to measure both dry and liquid ingredients… right? Well wait…. Dry measuring cups are meant to be filled right up to the top and then leveled off with a straight edge. Well, let me explain.

Is there a difference between liquid and dry measuring cups

I see people on TV using one set of measuring cups for liquids and another set for dry ingredients like flour and sugar. Is that really necessary? Liquid measuring cups and dry measuring cups have one big thing in common: They hold the same volume. A 1-cup liquid measuring cup and a 1-cup dry measuring cup, for example, both equal 16 tablespoons. I hate doing dishes, too, Jean. But hear me out. Shop smarter with our ATK Reviews team's expert guides and recommendations. Liquid measuring cups have extra space at the top to prevent sloshing or spilling liquids. When you pour dry ingredients such as flour, oats, or sugar into a liquid measuring cup, they tend to mound in the center. Any peaks or valleys will make your measurements inaccurate. Of course, for the most accurate measurements, a kitchen scale is the best option. But measuring cups still have a place in the kitchen. Our test kitchen teams rely on the same rigorous development process and share the same commitment to creating reliable recipes and trustworthy reviews.

So what do you do? Dry ingredients, like flour, are best measured by gently spooning the ingredient into the measuring cup until overflowing, then using the dull side of a knife to sweep off the excess aka the spoon-and-level method.

Liquid and dry ingredients are measured with different types of measuring cups. Learn why the right tool for the job matters. Baking is a science. It takes just the right amount flour, sugar, eggs and heat to make your baked goods rise to perfection and have good texture. This is why measuring your ingredients correctly is essential to most recipes. Many people are not aware that liquid measuring cups and dry measuring cups differ. A dry measuring cup can be leveled off when measuring dry ingredients only.

So, a fairly typical question bakers ask is whether it is necessary to have different cups for measuring liquid ingredients, as opposed to solid ingredients. However, they are each specifically designed to best measure each type of ingredient, whether liquid or dry. Liquid measuring cups are, as the name suggests, designed to measure liquids like water and milk. Dry measuring cups are designed to hold dry ingredients like sugar, flour or chocolate chips. When using a dry measuring cup to measure a cup of flour, the standard procedure is to fill the cup so that it overflows, sweep off any heaped excess, and level the flour off. This is to allow the liquid room to slosh around, of course. To measure liquid with a liquid measuring cup, you fill the cup up to the desired point, with the meniscus in line with the measurement markings. Having said that, it can cause issues with your baking. Technically, you can measure one cup full of flour in a liquid measuring cup.

Is there a difference between liquid and dry measuring cups

I see people on TV using one set of measuring cups for liquids and another set for dry ingredients like flour and sugar. Is that really necessary? Liquid measuring cups and dry measuring cups have one big thing in common: They hold the same volume. A 1-cup liquid measuring cup and a 1-cup dry measuring cup, for example, both equal 16 tablespoons. I hate doing dishes, too, Jean. But hear me out. Shop smarter with our ATK Reviews team's expert guides and recommendations. Liquid measuring cups have extra space at the top to prevent sloshing or spilling liquids. When you pour dry ingredients such as flour, oats, or sugar into a liquid measuring cup, they tend to mound in the center.

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While liquid measuring cups are well suited for their purpose, it is impossible to level off dry ingredients in them, meaning you can never be sure if you are using the correct measurements if you use the wrong cup. How to Accurately Measure Ingredients Of course, for the most accurate measurements, a kitchen scale is the best option. List of Partners vendors. Subscribe to newsletter? Dry Measuring Cups. How to Keep Cake from Sticking to the Pan. Download the smartest cooking app around. Use profiles to select personalised advertising. List of Partners vendors. Newsletter Sign Up. Using a dry measuring cup to measure wet ingredients.

For most people, a measuring cup is a measuring cup, whether wet or dry. You can use any of them to measure anything.

Two Exceptions To The Rule. Liquid Measuring Cups. Use profiles to select personalised content. Measure content performance. We empower home cooks by inspiring confidence and creativity. There are two main types of measuring cups — dry measuring cups and liquid measuring cups — and it matters which one you use. List of Partners vendors. Dry ingredients can vary greatly in weight compared to liquids, meaning they require a different type of conversion. In addition, dry measuring cups are designed to level off your ingredients quickly with a flat edge to assure you have the correct measurement. When measuring liquid ingredients, pour until the meniscus i.