OXO nesting measuring beakers

You know those Russian nesting dolls? The wooden ones, where each one opens up and there's a smaller one inside?

I never thought they were all that cool.

Nesting, on the other hand, particularly when it comes to kitchen tools, is very very cool. There's only so much storage space in any kitchen, so having things that fit neatly inside other things is a huge bonus, whether we're talking about mixing bowls or stockpots or measuring cups.

A few years back, I reviewed the small set that includes little beakers in teaspoon, tablespoon, 1 ounce and 2 ounce sizes.  And obviously they have markings so you can measure smaller amounts.I use those every time I cook, particularly the teaspoon and tablespoon sizes - I haven't used a measuring spoon for liquids since I got them.

These make measuring small amounts of liquids soooo much easier. I mean, think about it. Measuring spoons are designed like dry measures you'd use to measure a cup of sugar. You scoop and level off the top.

On the other hand, these little beakers are shaped more like measuring cups you'd use for liquids. You fill to the desired line rather than trying to fill to the top of a spoon.

And since there's a bit of headroom, if you pour in more that you want, the beaker shape makes it simple to pour the excess back into the original container - even if you're pouring into a vanilla extract bottle.

Since I use the teaspoon and tablespoon beakers so often, it's not unusual that one is in the dishwasher when I need to use it. Oops. So I was thinking about buying another set, just to have spares. Imagine my giddy joy when I found out that OXO had a new set with seven sizes. There are the original four, along with 1/2 cup, 3/4 cup and 1 cup beakers.

And did I mention that they nest? All those measures in one neat stack.

A few years ago, I put the original set on my "favorite gadgets of the year" list, but I have to say that this set is even better, since it takes care of my most-used measure - the 1-cup size.

Someone might point out that a 1-cup measure can also be used for smaller amounts, but the reason I like having the extra sizes is for mise en place - if I need a teaspoon of almond extract, a tablespoon of vanilla, 1/4 cup of oil, 2/3 cup of milk, and 1 cup of water, they could sit in their measuring cups until they needed to be added to the recipe.

Who's it for: Everyone needs measuring tools. Even if you already have measuring spoons and cups, it's nice to have extras, if you cook a lot.

Pros: They nest. They're top rack dishwasher safe. They're color-coded with pretty colors on the bases. They have lots of increments for just about every measure you need. They measure in ml as well as our quirky US measures of spoons and ounces

Cons: I think it's odd the tablespoon measure only includes 1/4 measures and not thirds, since that would be teaspoons. BUT! If you're dividing a recipe, it's nice that there are those 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4 tablespoon measures.

Wishes: The only thing I'd think of changing is adding the 1/3  and 2/3 measures to the tablespoon beaker, since that would be 1 and 2 teaspoons. But it's not a deal-breaker.

Source: I received this from the manufacturer for the purpose of a review.