LOVE these Calphalon Measuring Cups
This 4-Piece Calphalon Stainless Steel Measuring Cup Set replaced two collapsing silicon sets that I've had for years. There wasn't anything wrong with the old set, per se, but I got tired of not being able to level my powder ingredients easily and food sticking to it even after a run through the dishwasher.With this set, I lose two things: space in my drawers since they don't collapse and dishwashing capabilities. What I gain, however, makes those things unnecessary for a number of reasons.1. These are a cinch to clean by hand, taking only seconds with absolutely nothing sticking to it, not even my stickiest ingredients.2. They're just as quick and easy to dry with a hand towel, and they're fully dry, not damp like my other measuring cups. This means this set takes up the same space as my other sets, since I don't need extra measuring cups on hand for the times I forget to measure my dry ingredients before my semi-sticky or sticky ones or need to scoop sugar after flour. In less than half a minute, I can re-use the same measuring cup.3. The collapsing cups taper, which makes it difficult to remove all my ingredients. That's never the case with these Calphalon measuring cups. They have straight sides, which means I'm getting a more accurate measurement and nearly everything is removed with a simple swipe of a small spatula or nearly that with a common tablespoon (as shown with my picture of one measuring cup after adding yogurt to a recipe).4. The rim of these measuring cups is firm and level. That means I can get a perfect level with the back of a butter knife like I want, which ensures I get the correct amount of ingredients I need. For more finicky recipes, that's a big deal.5. Although these are considerably heavier than my other measuring cups thanks to the higher-quality stainless steel materials, they aren't uncomfortable to hold, even when full. The coating on the handle is minimal but it's enough to keep the handles from digging into my hands, and the cups are nicely balanced so that they don't feel any heavier than they do empty. For the curious, I ordered the cups with the blue coating and it's a lovely color, making the coating equally nice to look at as it is functional.6. The quality of these cups is far superior to my other cups, as expected, but what was not expected was that they're far superior to every other set of measuring cups I've used, including similar stainless steel ones. I expect to be using these for many years to come, if not a decade or longer, provided I care for them properly (not let things sit in them, don't run them through the dishwasher, etc.).7. This last pro isn’t a benefit for me because I can’t keep the cups together in my shallow drawers (they're nestable, as claimed, but like similar items, the weight of the cups lifts the handles). For those who have the space, though, the set comes with a large ring to keep the cups together. While typically, I’ve found those rings not worth using since they’re typically flimsy material that’s hard to open and close, but this ring is sturdy and easy to use. It would be particularly helpful for families that misplace their cups or chefs who prefer hanging their tools on a wall.Like my review title says, I genuinely love these measuring cups. I found nothing negative or that I didn’t like about them, and I would get them again without hesitation.