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Which one should you buy?

If you measure sticky things by the cup, a plunger-style adjustable cup is the cleanest way to do it. If you'd rather skip cups altogether, weigh them instead.

Measuring honey or peanut butter in an ordinary cup is a sticky business. Half of it clings to the sides, so you end up with less than the recipe needs and a cup that takes ages to wash.

An adjustable cup fixes that. It has a plunger inside a clear barrel. You set it to the amount you need, fill it, then push from underneath and everything comes out in one clean go.

How it works

Think of a big syringe with measurements down the side. You slide the plunger down until its top edge lines up with the amount you want. That leaves a space of exactly that size above it. Fill the space, level it off, then turn it over the bowl and push the plunger up. It wipes the inside of the barrel as it goes, so the full measure lands in your mixing bowl.

That's the whole point. With thick, sticky ingredients, an ordinary cup can leave a good spoonful behind, and that's enough to change a recipe. A plunger cup leaves almost nothing.

What it's best for

• Honey, maple syrup, golden syrup and molasses

• Peanut butter and other nut butters

• Shortening and soft butter

• Sour cream, yogurt and mayonnaise

KitchenArt Adjust-A-Cup at a glance

What to look for in an adjustable measuring cup

• A plunger that seals well. If it leaks, thin things like syrup creep underneath and your measure is off.

• A smooth glide. It should move easily but stay where you set it.

• Clear markings that won't rub off. You'll be reading them through honey.

• A wide base. So you can push the plunger without it shooting out the other end.

• Easy to take apart. Peanut butter in a joint is no fun.

The KitchenArt does all of that well. The honest downsides are that the barrel can crack if it falls off the counter, and the plunger seal may need a little help to keep gliding after a while.

Who it suits, and who should skip it

Good for you if

• You follow recipes written in cups

• You often measure honey, syrup, nut butter or shortening

• You make granola, flapjacks or peanut butter cookies

Skip it if

• You already weigh your ingredients: a scale does this job better and with less washing up

• You mainly measure milk, water and stock: a glass measuring cup with a spout is easier

How to get the best from it

Set it at eye level

Line the top of the plunger up with the mark you need, and check it with your eyes level with the line.

Fill and level

Spoon in thick things like nut butter and press them down to get rid of air pockets. Level off with the back of a knife.

Push it out

Hold the cup over the bowl and push the plunger all the way up. Swipe the top with a spatula and that's every last bit.

Honey and butter together

If a recipe calls for both, measure the butter first. The film of fat helps the honey slide out even more cleanly.

Looking after it

• Take it apart to wash. Pull the plunger out and wash both pieces in warm soapy water.

• Hand wash. It's kinder to the seal and the markings.

• Don't drop it. The clear barrel can crack.

• If the plunger sticks, check the maker's instructions before adding anything to the seal.

Questions people ask

Is an adjustable measuring cup more accurate for sticky ingredients?

Yes. An ordinary cup leaves some behind; the plunger pushes nearly all of it out.

Is it dishwasher safe?

The markings hold up, but hand washing is kinder to the plunger seal and keeps it gliding.

Can I measure liquids in it?

You can, but a glass jug with a spout is easier for milk, water and stock.

Do I need one if I have a kitchen scale?

Not really. Set the bowl on the scale, press tare, and spoon the honey or peanut butter straight in. It's the most accurate way, and the cleanest.

Bake with it

Something sweet from my Dessert recipes.

Updated October 2026. Prices change often, so check before you buy.