Funnels

A funnel is a tool designed to assist in transferring liquids, powders, or fine granular materials. Its conical shape facilitates the directional flow of substances from a wide-opening container into one with a narrower opening. The core working principle relies on gravity: the wide top opening allows for easy pouring, while the narrow bottom spout enables precise insertion into bottles or jars, effectively preventing spills. In kitchen settings, funnels are primarily used for transferring liquids such as cooking oil, condiments, and jams, as well as dry goods like flour and spices. In industrial contexts, they are commonly employed for tasks like adding motor oil or filling chemical reagents. Funnels are categorized by material into types such as food-grade silicone (flexible and collapsible), stainless steel (corrosion-resistant), and plastic (lightweight). Among these, silicone has become the mainstream choice for modern household funnels due to its compressibility for storage, heat resistance (typically from -40°C to 230°C), and ease of cleaning. Typical user groups include homemakers, cooking enthusiasts, canning practitioners, and laboratory technicians. Functional variants include filter funnels with mesh screens, wide-mouth canning funnels, and hopper-style industrial funnels.