I have an inexpensive flour sifter that just has wire mesh and a little hand-crank (like one of these 1, 2.)
It has cup markings on the side ("one cup," "two cups").
This is probably a silly question, but why? Doesn't the flour just start pouring through the wire mesh as soon as you start adding it, thereby making the markings useless?
Best Answer
Only a tiny amount of flour will fall through the grating before you start actively sifting; there is a reason there is an agitator and crank to help force the flour through. I am sure the idea was that you could use the sifter as a measuring cup.
Of course, since most sifters are opaque and the markings are on the outside, it is difficult to get a good measurement.
In practice, these markings are essentially useless, and you are far better off using a proper measuring cup, or even better, a scale.
Personally, I am of the opinion that sifters are hard to clean, not useful for anything else, and in general a pain. I use a simple sieve when I need to sift.