One of the problems with silicone ice cube trays, such as Tovolo, is that they are susceptible to developing a freezer burn smell that can be difficult to remove, even after being washed in a dishwasher or soaking in vinegar. The Wirecutter has discussed this. It seems that the best way is to heat the tray in an oven. I usually rest the tray on a plate on top of a toaster oven a couple of times while making morning toast and that works. See
I second the suggestion of slanted Oxo measuring glasses. I even found one where there is a slanted ml. measurement on the inside slant along with the oz. measurements.
Why do you prefer a jigger to the Oxo Mini Angled Measuring Cup? I have some beautiful jiggers and leave them out on the bar, but they're easy to spill. The Oxo mini cups are 2 oz and have lots of gradations on them, so they're great.
I've also had trouble with the dasher bottles allowing evaporation, and switched to amber glass dropper bottles.
One suggestion: I'd get a Brother P-Touch Cube Label Maker. You can pound out some awesome looking labels quickly. It's battery powered and connects with your phone, so you can bring it to the bar and go crazy making labels for everything.
I have a couple of those angled measuring cups, and I sometimes use them when I make drinks somewhere other than my house. They're good and useful as all-in-one measuring tools.
I find jiggers to be just a little faster and just a little more accurate. Since the measurements on the measuring cup are printed lines rather than notches, and the 2 ounce measure is not the top of the cup, you're always pouring to a line, rather than a notch or the top of the jigger, and it's a little bit harder to see (especially since I keep my bar space are quite dark), leading to more overpours, or measurements where I kind of have to hold it and examine to make sure I've poured precisely. But this is mostly a matter of personal preference and habit. I've been using jiggers for years...so I keep using jiggers!
I had a P-Touch years ago that stopped working after a couple years. Possibly this was my fault somehow, but for whatever reason it didn't survive very long. These days I mostly just use blue painter's tape and a Sharpie. Hand-written labels might not look as nice, but the tape + Sharpie method has never broken on me.
These ice trays are a bit more expensive - but much easier to get cubes out of (and when making flavored ice, or freezing egg whites, etc everything comes out intact).
ok, you convinced me. I'm outfitting a new bar, so will get the jigger and give it a try. (The newish battery-powered P-Touch is really great. worth trying out!)
One of the problems with silicone ice cube trays, such as Tovolo, is that they are susceptible to developing a freezer burn smell that can be difficult to remove, even after being washed in a dishwasher or soaking in vinegar. The Wirecutter has discussed this. It seems that the best way is to heat the tray in an oven. I usually rest the tray on a plate on top of a toaster oven a couple of times while making morning toast and that works. See
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/how-to-get-smells-out-of-silicone-kitchenware/
I second the suggestion of slanted Oxo measuring glasses. I even found one where there is a slanted ml. measurement on the inside slant along with the oz. measurements.
Ken
Holy, those Geeki Tikis....thanks for that, my kids are gonna love 'em.
Do we get Megan’s annual kitchen guide here as well? 2 guides for the price of 1?
I second the motion. Guest post! Worlds collide!
The Grier book doesn’t start with a bottle of aquavit?!
Not only does it not start with aquavit, it doesn't include aquavit at all!
😮😮😮
Terrific list.
Why do you prefer a jigger to the Oxo Mini Angled Measuring Cup? I have some beautiful jiggers and leave them out on the bar, but they're easy to spill. The Oxo mini cups are 2 oz and have lots of gradations on them, so they're great.
I've also had trouble with the dasher bottles allowing evaporation, and switched to amber glass dropper bottles.
One suggestion: I'd get a Brother P-Touch Cube Label Maker. You can pound out some awesome looking labels quickly. It's battery powered and connects with your phone, so you can bring it to the bar and go crazy making labels for everything.
I have a couple of those angled measuring cups, and I sometimes use them when I make drinks somewhere other than my house. They're good and useful as all-in-one measuring tools.
I find jiggers to be just a little faster and just a little more accurate. Since the measurements on the measuring cup are printed lines rather than notches, and the 2 ounce measure is not the top of the cup, you're always pouring to a line, rather than a notch or the top of the jigger, and it's a little bit harder to see (especially since I keep my bar space are quite dark), leading to more overpours, or measurements where I kind of have to hold it and examine to make sure I've poured precisely. But this is mostly a matter of personal preference and habit. I've been using jiggers for years...so I keep using jiggers!
I had a P-Touch years ago that stopped working after a couple years. Possibly this was my fault somehow, but for whatever reason it didn't survive very long. These days I mostly just use blue painter's tape and a Sharpie. Hand-written labels might not look as nice, but the tape + Sharpie method has never broken on me.
These ice trays are a bit more expensive - but much easier to get cubes out of (and when making flavored ice, or freezing egg whites, etc everything comes out intact).
https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/B642E945-561D-4962-9A5D-49917B23DCEB
ok, you convinced me. I'm outfitting a new bar, so will get the jigger and give it a try. (The newish battery-powered P-Touch is really great. worth trying out!)
Oooh. That looks nice.