One of the main drawbacks of measuring cups is the number necessary for a complete range of measurements. Cooks must keep at least one complete set of dry cups and another set for liquids. This can require significant storage space, and at least one or two vital cup sizes will often eventually disappear. A modern solution to the storage and shrinkage problem is a universal measuring cup. This kitchen gadget is a two-piece cylinder that acts almost like an open-ended syringe. The outer cylinder contains all the possible gradations of both liquid and dry measurements. A tight-fitting inner cylinder is pulled down to the proper measuring line. The ingredient can then be placed in the container and leveled off. If another ingredient is required, the inner cylinder can be pulled down yet again to add the new measurement. Several dry or liquid ingredients can be added all at once and then dumped as a unit into the mixing bowl or food processor.