Cooking Measurements And Conversions

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Measurement is a wonderful tool. It allows us to precisely create, record, and recreate something. The problem with it is that there is no universal standard for a singular measurement system. The metric system is, almost the universal standard, but there are a few hold out countries, the US being one.

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Cooking Measurements And The Metric System

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In cooking and baking, professional recipes are always by weight, in grams. There are several reasons for this but the most important reason is precision. The smallest whole unit of weight in the US standard system is the ounce. In the metric system the smallest whole unit of weight is the gram. There are 28.3 grams to 1-ounce. With kitchen measurement precision is everything, which do you think is more precise? 

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Kitchen Measurement Conversion Lists

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US Dry Volume

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• 1/16 teaspoon = dash
• 1/8 teaspoon = a pinch
• 3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon
• 1/8 cup = 2 tablespoons 
• 1/4 cup = 4 tablespoons
• 1/2 cup = 8 tablespoons
• 3/4 cup = 12 tablespoons
• 1 cup = 16 tablespoons

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US Liquid Volume Measurements

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• 8 ounces = 1 cup
• 1 pint = 2 cups 16 ounces
• 1 quart = 2 pints 4 cups
• 1 gallon = 4 quarts 16 cups 128 ounces

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Us To Metric Volume Conversions

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• 1/5 teaspoon = 1 milliliter
• 1 teaspoon = 5 milliliter
• 1 tablespoon = 15 milliliter
• 1 fluid oz. = 30 milliliter
• 1 cup = 237 milliliter
• 2 cups = 470 milliliter
• 4 cups = 946 milliliter
• 4 quarts = 3.8 liters

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Metric To Us Volume Conversions

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• 1 milliliter = 1/5 teaspoon
• 5 milliliter = 1 teaspoon
• 15 milliliter = 1 tablespoon
• 30 milliliter = 1 fluid oz.
• 100 milliliter = 3.4 fluid oz.
• 237 milliliter = 1 cup
• 1 liter = 34 fluid oz.
• 1 liter = 4.2 cups
• 1 liter = 2.1 pints
• 1 liter = 1.05 quarts
• 1 liter = .26 gallon

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Weight

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• 1 ounce = 1/16 pound = 28 grams
• 4 ounces = 1/4 pound = 113 grams
• 8 ounces = 1/2 pound = 227 grams
• 16 ounces = 1 pound = 454 grams
• 1 gram = .035 of an ounce
  
• 5 grams = .17 of an ounce
• 10 grams = .35 of an ounce
• 25 grams = .8 of an ounce
• 50 grams = 1.7 ounces
• 100 grams = 3.5 ounces
• 500 grams = 17.6 ounces = 1.1 pounds
• 1000 grams = 1 kilogram = 35.2 ounces = 2.2 pounds

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Pan Size Equivalents

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Baking Or Cake Pans

• 8 x 8 x 2 inch = 20 x 20 x 5 centimeter 
• 9 x 9 x 2 inch = 23 x 23 x 5 centimeter
• 12 x 8 x 2 inch = 30 x 20 x 5 centimeter
• 13 x 9 x 2 inch = 22 x 33 x 5 centimeter

Loaf Pans

• 8 x 4 x 3 inch = 20 x 10 x 7 centimeter
• 9 x 5 x 3 -inch  = 23 x 13 x 7 centimeter

Round Cake Pans

• 8 x 1-1/2 inch = 20 x 4 centimeter
• 9 x 1-1/2 inch = 23 x 4 centimeter

Pie Plates

• 8 x 1-1/2 inch = 20 x 3 centimeter
• 9 x 1-1/2 inch = 22 x 3 centimeter

Tart Pan

• 10 inch = 25 centimeter

Casseroles

• 1 quart = 1 liter
• 1-1/2 quart = 1.5 liter
• 2 quart = 2 liter

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How Similar Ingredients Differ In Volume And Weight

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One of the problems with cooking measurements is that volume differs greatly based on the ingredient being measured. In other words, a cup of flour is going to vary greatly, by weight, depending on the kind of flour being measured.

All-purpose flour

• US Volume: 1 cup
• US Weight: 5.1 ounces
• Metric Weight: 145 grams

White whole wheat flour

• US Volume: 1 cup
• US Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Metric Weight: 160 grams

As you can see there is a big difference between a cup of all-purpose flour and a cup of whole wheat flour. They vary by a half ounce or 15 grams. In a recipe calling for 10 cups of flour that difference becomes important.

Another problem with recipes that call for cups of "ingredients" is the way different people measure those cups. This is why a recipe that calls for cups of flour, for example, can vary so much from person to person.

Converting cooking measurements in recipes is a matter of being consistent ingredient by ingredient. The accuracy of the conversion required depends on the type of project. Baking typically requires more precise measurements than cooking.

Tags: cooking measurements, kitchen measurement, kitchen measurement conversion

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