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Cooking Measurements

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Whether you are baking or cooking, having accurate measurements is key to preventing mistakes in recipes.
Use this guide to properly convert measuring units quickly and easily!
Cooking Measurementd Conversions, cooking measurements abbreviations

Guide to Accurate Cooking Measurement Conversions

Accurately measuring ingredients is essential for ensuring that your recipes turn out exactly as intended.
This guide provides you with quick and easy ways to convert measurements from one type of unit to another, so you can easily make a perfect dish.

Understand common measurement conversions.

It’s important to understand some common measurement conversions, as different recipes will require you to convert measurements from one type of unit to another.
For example, 1 teaspoon (tsp) is equivalent to 5 milliliters (mL) and 3 teaspoons (tsp) is equal to 1 tablespoon (tbsp).

Additionally, 2 tablespoons (tbsp) are equal to 30 milliliters (mL), and 4 tablespoons (tbsp) are equal to 60 milliliters (mL).

Knowing these conversions can help you be more precise and accurate in your cooking!

Use a kitchen scale when needed.

Sometimes it’s more accurate to measure dry ingredients with a kitchen scale rather than using measuring spoons and cups.
When needed, use the kitchen scale to calculate the weight of an ingredient in order to quickly convert units of measurement.

For example, if a recipe calls for 14 grams of sugar, you can measure the sugar on the scale then easily convert it into teaspoons and other measurements.

Calculate liquid and dry ingredient measurements equivalently.

To accurately measure liquid ingredients, you should use a kitchen measuring cup specifically designed for liquids.
It is important to note that different types of dry ingredients (such as sugar, salt, and flour) have their own specific measurement equivalencies in spoons and cups.

For example, one tablespoon of sugar may weigh more or less than one tablespoon of flour.
Be sure to refer to our tables when necessary to ensure your measurements are correct.

Memorize necessary conversions for accurate cooking and baking recipes.

Memorizing common converting measurements is another important factor that can help prevent any errors in your recipes.
Knowing the information ahead of time can save you time and energy while cooking or baking.

For example, 3 teaspoons make up 1 tablespoon, 4 tablespoons make up ¼ cup, 2 cups equal one pint, and 2 pints equal one quart.

Being familiar with these conversions will give you the ability to accurately portion out ingredients in your recipe for a delicious end result!

Familiarize yourself with kitchen tools and utensils used in measurement conversion.

Becoming familiar with kitchen tools and utensils used in measuring will help you master the science of measurement conversions.
Investing in measuring cups and spoons can be a huge help when converting teaspoons for tablespoons, or tablespoons for cups.

With each set of measurements having their own style of cup or spoon, it can be difficult to keep track without the proper tools!
That’s why this guide to accurate cooking measurement conversions is specifically designed to give you the best tips on becoming a master recipe creator.

Cooking Measurement Abbreviations

Although some recipes spell out measurements, a lot of recipes use abbreviations.

For example, the tablespoon and teaspoon abbreviation may look very similar and can be mistaken for one another:
A lowercase t can stand for teaspoon, an uppercase T can stand for tablespoon.

Getting your teaspoon and tablespoon abbreviations muddled up, by adding a tablespoon (T) of pepper when the recipe only requires a teaspoon (t) can spell disaster!

So when you’re following a recipe, it’s pretty important to understand those cooking abbreviations.

Many recipes (including the recipes on goodfoodtoeat.com) will use shorthand when writing out recipes, and if you don’t know what they mean, you could end up making a few mistakes.

Standard Metric and Imperial Measurement Abbreviations

.

AbbreviationMeaning
C, cCup
kg, Kgkilogram
L, llitre
mL, mlmillilitre
t, tspteaspoon
T, Tbsptablespoon
OzOunce
fl. OzFluid ounce
qtQuart
ptPint
galGallon
lbPound

Measuring Ingredients

Dry ingredients and liquid ingredients should be treated differently when measuring.
Measuring cups and spoon sets are generally intended for dry ingredients, while liquid measuring cups are intended for liquid ingredients.

Using the right measuring tools will ensure exact measurements.
Take control by properly prepping all those delicious mixes before adding in the wet ingredients for success every si
ngle time & enjoy freshly baked goods within minutes!

Measuring Dry Ingredients

In recipes, quantities of ingredients may be specified by mass, commonly called weight by volume.
With these simple tips and tricks, you should be able to accurately measure all your dry cooking ingredients quickly and safely at home no matter their shape or size!
Don’t let baking disasters happen any longer

How to properly measure dry cooking ingredients

Don’t get stuck with inaccurate measurements in your cooking – nail them down correctly with this overview of how to measure dry ingredients correctly.

  1. Use measuring spoons;
    Using measuring spoons is the simplest and most accurate way to measure dry ingredients.
    These are available in metal or plastic and come in different sizes, including teaspoons, tablespoons, 1/4 teaspoon, and other smaller (but still important!) amounts.

    For accuracy, it’s best to use a set that measures both liquid and dry ingredients.
    When using them, make sure to level off each spoon with the back of a knife so that you don’t end up with too much or too little of an ingredient.

  2. Level it up;
    When measuring dry ingredients, you should fill the spoon or cup to the brim, and then using the back of a knife, scrape the excess off the top to get the most accurate amount.
  3. Invest in a kitchen scale;
    Kitchen scales are crucial when it comes to getting accurate measurements when using dry ingredients—especially if you’re baking!

    Most kitchen scales have multiple measurement options, including ounces and grams so that you get spot-on measurements every time.

    Kitchen scales are also incredibly helpful when making breads because dough can be tricky to measure accurately by volume alone.

  4. Use measuring cups for larger volumes of ingredients;
    When measuring larger volumes of ingredients like flour, sugar, or oats it is best to use measuring cups for accuracy.

    Measuring cups come with lines inside them showing the amount being measured; just make sure not to scoop directly from the bag as this will likely give you inaccurate readings!

    To ensure accuracy and consistency across batches of foodstuffs like cake mix or biscuit dough use a spoon or other scooping device for consistent portions each time.
    Never fill the cup too full if possible either!

  5. Take note of what kind of ingredient you’re using;
    Varying density among certain ingredients could have an effect on your recipes.
    For example;
    Whole wheat flour tends to be much heavier than white all-purpose flour.
    Brown sugar packs differently than powdered sugar; honey varies per brand and type; and so on.

    This means they’ll require different measurements than their more mainstream peers.
    It’s always good practice to weigh using scales when dealing with measurements like these!

  6. Pay attention to changes in humidity levels;
    Changes in humidity can cause the water content in your dry ingredients to slightly increase making them heavier
    – think about how fluffy flour can feel at room temperatures verses how dense it feels after sitting out during rainier months!

    Always factor any fluctuations into your measurements as many recipes rely heavily on precise calculations for success.
    – Under-measurements could mean disaster (read: burnt cookies!).

Dry Measurements Conversion Chart

TeaspoonsTablespoonsCups
3 tsp1 tbsp1/16 c
6 tsp2 tbsp1/8 c
12 tsp4 tbsp1/4 c
24 tsp8 tbsp1/2 c
36 tsp12 tbsp3/4 c
48 tsp16 tbsp1 c

Metric to Imperial measurements for dry or solid ingredients.

This table shows the conversions of metric to imperial measurements for dry or solid ingredients.

MetricImperial
20g¾ oz
60g2 oz
125g4 oz
180g6 oz
250g8 oz
500g16 oz (1 lb)
1kg32 oz (2 lb)

Liquid Volume Measures

While you will get a more exact liquid measurement with the liquid measuring cup, when a recipe calls for small amounts of liquid, sometimes you will need to use measuring spoons instead.

How to properly measure liquid cooking ingredients

Learn how to properly measure liquid cooking ingredients in this easy-to-follow guide! Get the right amount for all of your recipes every single time!

  1. Use A Measuring Cup;
    The most accurate way to measure a liquid ingredient is to use a liquid measuring cup.
    Use the lines on the side of the cup to measure your ingredients precisely and ensure you get them right every time.

    Make sure you are using wet or dry measuring cups depending on what type of ingredient you plan to use.

  2. Know Your Measurements:
    It can be easy to get confused when trying to understand different measurements, so make sure you brush up before proceeding with any recipe.

    A tablespoon is equal to three teaspoons, for example, so familiarising yourself with these conversions will go a long way in helping you measure correctly every time.

  3. Measure Correctly:
    Make sure your measuring cup is level before adding your ingredient, and always place it on a flat surface when pouring in your liquids for accuracy purposes.

    If over-measuring by accident, do not add more liquid as this will throw off all of the other measurements and ratios of ingredients in the recipe.

  4. Don’t Estimate:
    Never guess how much of a certain liquid ingredient should be used in a recipe.

    Trying to wing it puts at risk any success you may have had with the dish otherwise, so take the extra few minutes necessary and make sure that everything makes its way into your dish accurately!

Liquid Measurements Conversion Chart

This table shows the conversions of cups to metric and imperial liquid measurements.

CupMetricImperial
¼ cup60ml2 fl oz
⅓ cup80ml2½ fl oz
½ cup125ml4 fl oz
⅔ cup160ml5 fl oz
¾ cup180ml6 fl oz
1 cup250 ml8 fl oz
2 cups500ml16 fl oz (1 American pint)
2½ cups625ml20 fl oz (1 imperial pint)
4 cups1 litre32 fl oz

Tablespoons & Teaspoons in Millilitres

Your spoons can be used for measuring both dry and wet ingredients.
The table below gives the equivalent in millilitres (ml) from teaspoon to tablespoon.

Convert between teaspoons and millilitres (tsp and mL) using this conversion table.
Find how many millilitres there are in a teaspoon.

CountryTeaspoonDessertspoonTablespoon
Australia5ml10ml20ml
New Zealand5ml10ml15ml
Canada5ml10ml15ml
UK & Ireland5ml10ml15ml
USA4.93mlN/A14.79ml

Oven Temperatures

So you are following a recipe and come across terms such as: cool oven, very slow oven, slow oven, moderate oven, hot oven, fast oven.
So what do they mean?
The oven temperatures are set to control the effects of baking in an oven for various lengths of time.

If using a fan-forced oven, your cooking time may be a little quicker, so start checking your food a little earlier

Oven Temperature Abbreviations

AbbreviationTemperature Type
°C, CCelsius, formerly known as centigrade
°F, FFahrenheit
Mk, Gasgas mark
ThThermostat (French gas mark)
StufeGasherd stufe (German gas mark)

Oven Temperature Conversions

Temperature conversions for celsius, fahrenheit and gas mark.

DescriptionCelsiusFahrenheitGas Mark
Very slow / very cool110℃225℉¼
Very slow / very cool130℃250℉½
Slow / cool140℃275℉1
Slow / cool150℃300℉2
Moderate170℃325℉3
Moderate180℃350℉4
Moderately hot190℃375℉5
Moderately hot200℃400℉6
Hot220℃425℉7
Hot230℃450℉8
Very hot240℃475℉9

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