Flipper

Flipper

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Yesterday I had Dana worried I was cooking up penguins. Anyone else wonder if I’d lost my locavore leanings as well as my mind?

Looking back I realized I’ve posted a few odd animal shots this week. Continuing the trend and hoping to pass it off as clever and intentional editorial decision, I’d like to introduce you to Flipper.

Don’t worry. There will be no dolphin dishes or porpoise pies. Flipper is a flexible, reversible measuring spoon made by the good people at Trudeau. It’s dishwasher safe and comes in three colours.

Flipper1.jpgThe bowls of the spoons are made with a flexible thermal rubber. Being reversible, they eliminate the need for extensive measuring spoon sets. The spoons to the left have only two bowls, but provide four different measurements. Just pop the large measuring spoon inside-out and it goes from 1 tablespoon to ½ tablespoon. The small measure transforms from 1 teaspoon to ½.

With only four measurements, my 4-in-1 Flipper isn’t precise enough for my needs. I frequently come across recipes that call for ¾ teaspoon of this or ¼ teaspoon of that, and end up back at the utensil drawer.

Flipper2.jpgTo address this, Trudeau also makes a nesting version that measures from ⅛ teaspoon to a whole tablespoon. They also make nested measuring cups ranging from ⅛ cup right up to a full cup, including ⅓ and ⅔ cup measurements.

Gadget gauge: I really like the concept but am frustrated by the real world use. I often make recipes that require me to use both sides the spoon. This is fine if I’m working with dry, non-staining ingredients like salt or baking powder. But when I working with spices like turmeric or sticky liquids like honey, the spoons aren’t so handy. I also find the spoon doesn’t fit into the narrow necks of most commercial spice jars.

Although my bright orange Flipper is easy to find in a drawer of silver metal utensils, its two-in-one design is not much of a space-saver. My conventional measuring spoons nest tightly and lie flat. Flipper is slightly deeper and wider at both the top and bottom. Whether this is a benefit or not will vary from kitchen to kitchen.

While Flipper has too many limits for serious cooks, a set would be ideal for teaching a child to be comfortable in the kitchen. The bright colours are fun and inviting, you’re supposed to pop them inside-out and they’re sturdy. I can also see Flipper being a handy camping or cottage item.

Dolphin photo © Just Taken Pics, published under a Creative Commons License.

5 Comments
  • Dana McCauley
    Posted at 14:06h, 10 October

    So you get a kick out of giving an old woman a panic, do you?

    I like the colours of these measures. I wonder if they make other utensils in these hues as well?

  • cheryl
    Posted at 14:08h, 10 October

    Love the idea of using these for kids. I do tend to be wholly utilitarian when it comes to my own gadget use, though. Plus my gadget drawer is a total catastrophe. Sometimes I stick my hand in there and have no idea what I’ll pull out. It’s only a matter of time before I spear myself with a fondue fork.

  • Christie's Corner
    Posted at 14:18h, 10 October

    Dana, I’m older than you, so don’t go calling yourself old!

    Trudeau makes coloured measuring cup scoops, clip-on spoon rests and one-hand pepper mills — all in bright colours. Their website is:
    http://www.trudeaucorp.com/ca-en/products/default.html

    Cheryl, when I first bought my Flipper I couldn’t stop playing with it. I’m sure kids will love it.

    And my junk –err — gadget drawer is rather full too. I’ve learned to keep my fondue forks in the cupboard where they can fall on my head.

  • neobadtz
    Posted at 16:30h, 19 May

    I have this “flipper” but I don´t understand something… the correct size is where the first line or all full?

    HELP!!!

  • Charmian Christie
    Posted at 13:21h, 21 May

    Good question. I’m not sure. This post is almost 5 years old and because the units weren’t precise enough for my needs, I didn’t keep the measuring spoons for long.

    To determine which line to use, fill a non-Flipper measuring spoon with water and transfer it to the Flipper. Not exactly high-tech calibration, but it will get the job done.