Baking requires precision and hence is more like a science rather than actual cooking. Mess with the correct ingredient ratio and you have just wasted precious hours in the kitchen. Take guesswork out of your hands with these measuring tools and let them give you the confidence for a successful bake.

Measuring spoons
Measuring spoons usually come in 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1 teaspoon and 1 tablespoon measures. These spoons can be used for measuring wet and dry ingredients. When measuring dry ingredients, remember to level off the ingredient to get an accurate amount. For maximum convenience, having a designated set of measuring spoons for both dry and wet ingredients is recommended. This means no need to spend time on washing when switching from dry to wet ingredient or vice versa. Additionally, choose measuring spoons with narrow surface areas instead of round ones so that you can scoop directly from narrow neck containers.

Measuring cups
Liquid measuring cups spot a distinct handle and sprout for easy pouring and sizes range from 1 to 8 cups. A 2-cup (500ml) size should be sufficiently versatile for most applications. Measuring cups made of glass would be ideal as you might need to measure hot liquids. For dry measuring cups, the volumes range from 1/4 to 1 cup and are usually available without a sprout in stainless steel or heavy-duty plastic. Avoid measuring cups with sprouts as they might affect the measurements of your ingredients.

Kitchen scale
Kitchen scales measure ingredient mass rather than volume. This handy gadget offers precise measurements for any type of dry ingredient even in large amounts. It does not have the same limitation as measuring cups and spoons which can only provide accurate measurements in cases where added amounts correspond with designated increments. You can choose between manual or digital Kitchen scales. The more expensive digital scale, which can measure ingredients up to 0.1g accuracy, would be a better investment for serious bakers.

Thermometer
Kitchen thermometers come in various types such as digital, dial or pop-up which serve different purposes. Digital thermometers are handy when you need to check on the doneness of your cakes or pies. They are the most accurate as they can measure to 1°C accuracy. Thermometers are also useful for cooking. A cooking thermometer saves you the hassle of having to cut into the meat to check for internal temperatures. Choose those with long inserts so that inserting into thick cuts of meat (like a whole turkey) can be done easily.

Timer
The humble timer can be a lifesaver when you are busy multi-tasking in the kitchen. It helps you manage different cook times of different dishes to avoid under or overcooking. A timely beep alerts us from other tasks at hand. Some digital thermometers come with multiple alarm options which allow you to set different timings at the same time.

Weigh ingredients wet or dry with the Jamie Oliver Electronic Wet n Dry Kitchen Scale. Capable of weighing up to 5kg, this scale features a sleek stainless steel design that you can use with or without the bowl. With an easy to read large digital display and a dishwasher-safe design, this is a must for an aspiring cook!