The Different Types of Measuring Glasses
Measuring glasses are a crucial tool in the kitchen, laboratory, and bar. They come in various sizes and types, each suited to a specific purpose. Different types of liquid measurement tools are available in the market, but they each have their unique features that best serve a particular industry. In this article, we have listed the various types of measuring glasses and their uses.
Graduated Cylinder
Graduated cylinders are tall, narrow measuring glasses used for precisely measuring liquids. They have graduations marked on the side showing the volume of liquid in milliliters or liters. They are common in laboratories, particularly in chemistry classes, as they are ideal for precise measurements of reactive liquids. The graduated cylinder is not ideal for measuring small quantities of liquids since it is large in size and can offer inaccurate readings with low volumes.
Burette
Burettes are special measuring glasses used to measure liquids’ precise volume. They consist of a tube and a valve for controlling the liquid’s flow. Burettes are common in titration experiments, where measurements of tiny amounts of reagents are necessary. They are also used in the chemical industry and usually have a capacity of up to 1000 milliliters.
Beaker
A beaker is a common measuring tool that is used in both the laboratory and the kitchen. It is cylindrical with a flat bottom and a spout for pouring. The graduations on a beaker are not so precise; thus, it is primarily used for rough measurements of liquids. They come in a range of sizes, from a few milliliters to over five liters.
Jigger
Jiggers are small, hourglass-shaped measuring devices used in cocktail making. They are commonly made of metal and have two, sometimes three, different measurement lines on either end. The most common measurements on a jigger are 30ml/60ml or 15ml/30ml. They are often used by professional bartenders as they provide precise measurements and are handy when scaling up or down a recipe.
Shot Glass
Shot glasses are small measuring glasses, commonly used for measuring liquid volumes used in cooking or making drinks. They are low cost and come in various shapes and sizes. Shot glasses are not very precise, so they are best suited for measuring small amounts of liquids and useful in recipes that require a standard unit of measurement. They are commonly used in the kitchen for measuring vanilla extract and other liquids used in baking recipes.
