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Must-Have Measuring Tools

To accurately follow recipes, our seven kitchen-tested favorites are an essential investment.

1. AMCO Stainless Steel Measuring Cups

Price: $11.50 These durable stainless steel cups boast rims flush with the long handles, making leveling off dry ingredients easy.

2. Cuisipro 4-Cup Deluxe Liquid Measuring Cup

Price: $14.95 A pour spout and handle are musts in liquid measuring cups. Read from above, the plastic Cuisipro measures more accurately—and is more durable—than a glass Pyrex cup.

3. Cuisipro 5-Piece Stainless Steel Oval Measuring Spoons

Price: $13.95 We like that these sturdy, elongated spoons are slim enough to dip into narrow spice jars.

4. CDN Moti Multi-Mount Oven Thermometer

Price: $7.99 The best insurance against varying oven temperatures. For maximum stability, this model sports a magnet, a hook, and a base stand.

5. Oxo Food Scale

Price: $49.99 For close to 100 percent accuracy when baking, weigh your ingredients on a scale; digital models with large readout displays like this one are the easiest to read.

6. Polder Dual Timer Stopwatch #893

Price: $15.12 This compact test kitchen favorite is a two-timer, keeping track of two dishes at once.

7. ThermoWorks Super-Fast Thermapen Instant-Read Thermometer

Price: $89

Forgo guesswork and pinpoint exactly when food is done. We call the Thermapen the Ferrari of thermometers for its fast, accurate readings and long probes.

Best Buy Alternative: Maverick Redi-Chek Professional Chef's Digital Thermometer DT-01 ($12.99)

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