How to Transfer Liquids from One Container to Another Without Creating a Mess

Transferring liquids (and powders) from one container to another (or from a package to a container), can be a messy job, especially if the container has a small opening (i.e. a bottle for storing cooking oil), with the contents spilling every which way.

If this unfortunate accident ever occurs you will have no choice but to do some cleanup. And if you end up spilling something like olive oil you will need to spend even more time cleaning up - washing things with soap and water to get rid of the oil and make sure neither the container nor the area where the oil has spilled is slippery or greasy.

You can prevent this mess from ever happening to you again...

We live in a world full of creative minds and inventors. And someone out there has come up with something that is specifically designed for preventing spills. You may not be aware of this gadget but I am sure you have seen it on more than one occasion - it is none other than the funnel.

A funnel is a utensil (or gadget) used in the kitchen. It is cone-shaped with a small tube positioned at the bottom (where the cone narrows). It is used to transfer liquids (and powders) from a container or a package into another container such as a bottle, a jar, etc., especially one that has a narrow opening or neck.

Funnels come in different sizes (from very big to very small). Which one you need to use will depend on the size of your container. It may also depend on what contents you want to transfer. They can also be plastic or stainless steel. The plastic ones come in different colors (white, red, and others).

To transfer a liquid (or powder) into a container simply place the funnel on top of the container with the tube inserted inside. Then take the package or container with the liquid or powder and holding it above the funnel slowly begin to pour the contents into the funnel. You will notice that the contents will start to go through the tube and fall into the container. You may need to hold the funnel with your hand if you see that it is wobbly. While you are pouring the contents through the funnel pay attention to the container to make sure that the container doesn't overfill. If it becomes full, and you keep pouring, the contents will start to spill all over the place and you don't want that to happen.

I have a plastic funnel at home and I have used it time and again, mostly when pouring cooking oil from a large oil container to a glass jar. It makes transferring liquids (and powders) easy and mess-free with no clean-up necessary.

The funnels are easy to clean. You can either wash them under running water with soap and a sponge, or place them in a dishwasher. Most funnels are dishwasher safe, but just to be safe read the label before placing them in a dishwasher.