The Magnetic Solution That Makes Measuring Cup Storage A Breeze

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In efficiently run kitchens, it's common to find measuring cups stored near the cooking area. A drawer by the stove often serves as their rest area, putting them in reach of most cooking activities. When drawer space gets scarce, hanging measuring cups on hooks inside a cupboard or pantry door becomes the next best option. However, at least one more option is worth exploring: metal measuring cups stuck to button magnets.

This practice combines the practicality of hanging the cups on hooks with the convenience of magnets. However, it won't work if you use plastic measuring cups — nor will it necessarily work on all stainless steel measuring cups. This is due to the properties of the metals, including stainless steel. Basically, it all depends on the kinds and percentages of alloys used in the material. To ensure that this hack works, check to see if the metal measuring cups you want to use stick to a magnet. Certain brands, like OXO Stainless Steel Measuring Cups with Magnetic Snaps, are made with a magnetic component built in, and would therefore work in this system. Absent those add-ons, you may need to scout around to find magnets that work.

Keeping your measuring cups perfectly organized with this setup also requires some button magnets. You'll need one for each cup. If you want to place the magnets directly on your cabinets without the help of a magnetic strip, get a magnet set, like the X-bet Strong Ceramic Round Magnets. They come with adhesive backing, allowing you to stick the magnets directly to a non-magnetic surface.

In principle, this storage hack is pretty easy to execute. You'll stick a series of magnets to a surface near your cooking area, and then attach the measuring cups to the magnets. Here are some of the best places to store your measuring cups using this setup. Start with the inside of a pantry or cupboard door. You could also line them up along the stove's backsplash. If you keep your spices in a rack above the stove, this spot is particularly convenient. If you don't want to have to pull the magnets' adhesive off of a surface later, put them on a metal surface, like the side of the fridge or the front of the stove.

The system can be moved anywhere and adapted to myriad surfaces, if those don't work for you. For example, if you have a metal canister set, stick the magnets and your measuring cups to the canisters. This puts them in close proximity to many of the ingredients you usually measure with the cups, like flour and sugar.

Or how about putting them near your outdoor grill station? If you use your grill like a stove, keep some of the tools you'll want at the grill nearby, including measuring cups and even measuring spoons. Measuring out ingredients for grill-cooked pancakes or even the right amount of seasonings for roasted chicken can happen right at the barbecue. Using this hack, there'd be less need as much in the kitchen.