Pouring Liquids and Making Hot Drinks
Many people have difficulty pouring liquid into the cup and knowing when to stop. This information sheet provides strategies to assist people who are blind or vision impaired.
Getting the liquid into the cup
- Use adequate lighting to help you to see. If natural daylight is insufficient use a task lamp or mounted light over your work area.
- Pour liquid over a sink area in case of any spills. Alternatively use a plastic tray beneath the cup to limit any overflow.
- Use lighter and smaller kettle or jugs, being careful not to overfill, as this makes it harder to control the flow of liquid.
- Carry the cup to the kettle or jug rather than moving the kettle or jug to the cup.
- Hold the cup with your hand on the side opposite the spout, placing the spout of the jug or kettle directly onto the lip of the cup.
- A rubber band around the spout can assist in holding the teapot or kettle in place.
- If you have difficultly lifting a kettle, tilting aids are available to help support the weight of the kettle.
- Use a plastic funnel with a shortened spout to direct the flow of liquid into the cup. Rest the funnel inside the cup. The funnel will assist in safely pouring boiling water.
Knowing when to stop pouring
- Pour liquids slowly estimating liquid level by weight and touch (cold liquids only).
- Feeling the temperature on the outside of a cup can give you an indication to whether a cup is filled with hot or cold liquid.
- By listening for changes in water pitch as the cup fills, you can detect the level of the liquid being poured into the cup by the sound.
- Counting can also assist in judging the level of liquid poured into a cup.
- Using a white or lightly coloured cup can provide colour contrast to dark liquids such as tea or coffee and assist in determining the level of liquid. Add the milk last.
- Placing your finger inside the rim of the cup for cold liquids can provide an indication to whether the cup is full.
- A ping-pong ball can be placed inside the cup as a level indicator which will rise to the top, when full.
It is best to practice these techniques over the sink in case of overflow.
Liquid level indicator
This battery-powered indicator hooks over the edge of the cup and buzzes when the liquid nears the top. This should be positioned away from where the liquid is poured into the cup.
The pre-measuring method
- Fill the cup with cold water ensuring enough room for milk if required.
- Place the exact amount of water into the heating vessel used for boiling.
- Place a Saf-T-Boil product or a teaspoon in the bottom of the heating vessel, which will rattle when the water comes to the boil (people with hearing problems can feel the vibrations on the handle).
- Use a set of measuring spoons for coffee, tea and sugar amounts.
- When the water boils, pour the full amount into a cup.
- Individual serves of long lasting UHT milk may be easier to use than pouring from a milk carton.
- Pop a sugar cube into the cup rather than a teaspoon. Alternatively a sugar dispenser.
Other hints and alternatives
- Use a cooking timer to indicate that the water has boiled which also serves as a reminder that the kettle has been put on.
Contact us
Call: 1300 84 74 66
TTY: 02 9334 3260
Fax: 02 9747 5993
Website: www.visionaustralia.org
Street Address (State Head Offices)
NSW and ACT: 4 Mitchell Street, Enfield NSW 2136
Queensland: 373 Old Cleveland Road, Coorparoo Qld 4151
Victoria: 454 Glenferrie Road, Kooyong Vic 3144
Vision Australia is a living partnership between people who are blind, sighted or have low vision. We are united by our passion that in the future people who are blind or have low vision will have access to and fully participate in every part of life they choose.
This page last updated: 13 March 2008