How many measuring spoon sets are enough?

Depends on how much you cook from scratch and how long you go between dishwasher loads.
 

A few years ago I had an online pal in a sports website. He was born in NYC but grew up in Seattle area. When we initially corresponded, I told him of my cooking hobby and said that if you wish to be a genuine NY cook, the first thing to do is to get rid of any measuring spoons and cups. This because NY cooks do not use any measuring as we go by taste (al gusto). He found that fascinating because at the age of 6 (just before his family moved West) his grandpa (a professional cook from NY) told him exactly the same thing.

Just the other day I found at the very back of my food cabinet a small set of measuring spoons. They were so old that they were still in their plastic packaging. Evidently, I got them as a premium when buying cookware over 30 years ago. Never used them.
 
sell 'em as a lot on eBay - I collect them at yard sales, when I get 5 or 6 sets of them, I list them for sale. Only those older aluminum ones, like those pictured.

Also the vintage Tupperware ones from the 60's and 70's - the orange, green, ones, etc. Those I'll list individually. They're good sellers and easy to pack and ship.

One repeat customer for the aluminum sets, said she made wind chimes out of them and sold them at craft fairs...
 
oldiebutgoody said:
A few years ago I had an online pal in a sports website. He was born in NYC but grew up in Seattle area. When we initially corresponded, I told him of my cooking hobby and said that if you wish to be a genuine NY cook, the first thing to do is to get rid of any measuring spoons and cups. This because NY cooks do not use any measuring as we go by taste (al gusto). He found that fascinating because at the age of 6 (just before his family moved West) his grandpa (a professional cook from NY) told him exactly the same thing.

Just the other day I found at the very back of my food cabinet a small set of measuring spoons. They were so old that they were still in their plastic packaging. Evidently, I got them as a premium when buying cookware over 30 years ago. Never used them.
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I love to cook intuitively, but measuring utensils are a requirement for successfully baking gluten free from scratch. They're also are needed in canning. Days when I'm cooking multiple items from scratch, I'll use more than one set.
 
AnnieA said:
I love to cook intuitively, but measuring utensils are a requirement for successfully baking gluten free from scratch. They're also are needed in canning. Days when I'm cooking multiple items from scratch, I'll use more than one set.
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I do gluten free baking successfully without using them (so far). Never have done canning so I'll take your word for it. Perhaps some day I'll take that up as a hobby.
 
oldiebutgoody said:
I do gluten free baking successfully without using them
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Hats off to you!!! I'd never manage fluffy gluten free biscuits (American kind) and pie pastries without measuring. Could do it before with regular flour, but all the different types of flours I use for gluten free baked goods are best when liquids and leavening agents are at specific levels. I start with several recipes, tweak to fit my standard gf pantry staples, then stick with measuring after I get the recipe just right to ensure consistent results.
 
I still think you would do good selling online. I know you don't want to.

I pick them up at thrift stores if they are stainless steel. I'll buy a single one. Measuring cups also. Never hurts to have extra.

I also get large spoons, gravy ladles and other extra silverware if I like the pattern and they are not made in China.
 
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