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The imperial system is a measurement system used in the UK and other Commonwealth countries. Lovers of cooking know how important it is to get the right quantities of ingredients in a recipe.
The quantities you use can affect the final result either positively or negatively. That is why you need to understand common conversions to make your cooking blissful and the outcome as awesome and tantalising as expected. These conversions are also essential for large food producers who use them to make their products and label their packages.
In addition, understanding conversions helps you estimate the prices of each item. From ounces in a cup to pounds in a kilogram, it is important to understand these common weight and volume conversions. Here are the most common ones to know.
1. Pound
A pound is used to measure weight. For conversion to ounces, one pound is equivalent to 16 ounces. In addition, 454 pounds are equivalent to one gram, and 0.454 pounds are equal to one kilogram.
2. Ounce
In the imperial system, 1 ounce of fluid is equivalent to 28.41 ml, and 29.57 ml in the US system. In addition, one ounce is equal to 2 tablespoons. You will notice this conversion difference in countries like Canada that use both conversions. For instance, if you compare cans or bottles of beer or soft drinks that contain 12 fluid ounces, American brands will have 355 ml which is 12 ounces in the US, while Canadian brands will carry 341 ml, which is 12 ounces in the imperial system.
Notably, only one fluid ounce of water weighs about one ounce. However, to calculate the number of ounces in a cup, you divide the number by eight because there are 8 ounces in a cup. For instance, if you want to convert 32 ounces to cups, divide 32 by 8 to get 4. This means that 32 ounces are equal to 4 cups.
3. Gallon
A gallon refers to 160 ounces or 4.546 litres in the imperial system and 128 ounces or 3.785 litres in the US system. Also, one gallon is equal to 4 quarts. So, a product will reflect the conversions of the country it comes from, e.g., the United States or Canada.
4. Quart
A quart is equal to 40 ounces or 1.137 litres in the imperial system and 32 ounces or 946.36 litres in the US system. Further, a quart is equal to 2 pints or four cups, depending on the unit you want to use. To convert larger units to smaller ones, you need to multiply the larger unit by the number of small units in it. For instance, there are 2 pints in one quart. So, to convert 5 quarts to pints, multiply 5 by 2 to get 10 points as the equivalent of 5 quarts.
5. Pint
A pint of liquid equals 20 ounces or 568.26 ml in the imperial system and 16 ounces or 473.18 ml in the US system. In addition, 1 pint is equal to 2 cups. The difference in volume measurements between the two systems is noticeable, especially when producing large quantities.
6. Cup
There are 8 ounces in a cup, equivalent to 236.59 ml or 16 tablespoons. If your recipe is written in ounces and cups, it is important to verify from its source whether it is written in the imperial or US system of measurement. This way, you can use the right number of ounces in a cup to get the best results.
When converting cups to smaller units like tablespoons, you should multiply the number of cups by 16, which is the number of tablespoons in one cup. For instance, to get the number of tablespoons in ½ a cup, multiply ½ by 16 to get 8 tablespoons.
7. Tablespoon
One tablespoon is equivalent to 3 teaspoons. In addition, 10 tablespoons are equal to 5 ounces or one gill. When converting smaller units to larger ones, you need to divide. For instance, when converting 6 teaspoons to tablespoons, you need to divide the 6 by 3 to get 2 tablespoons as the equivalent of 6 teaspoons.
Common Measurements used in Kitchens
1. Count or Number
A count or number measurement is used when the exact measurement is not critical to the final results and the items used are considered close in size. For instance, if a recipe says three eggs, it isn’t because three is easy to count but because the eggs can be graded in size. Unless otherwise stated, most recipes require large eggs. Also, number measurements are used if you can count the final product.
2. Volume
Volume measurements measure fluids or liquids in the kitchen. It is used when portioning a finished product, like scooping vegetables, salads, or sandwich fillings, to ensure the serving size is consistent. For example, a ladle of the exact size is used when portioning sauces or soups. The scoops are then accorded a number that signifies the number required to fill one quart or litre volume. On the other hand, ladles are sized in ounces or millilitres.
3. Weight
Weight measurement is the most accurate way to measure portions and ingredients. The portions and ingredients critical in a recipe are given specific weights. For instance, when baking, the ingredients are given in specific weights for consistent and excellent results. Although weighing is time-consuming, it is a vital part whose importance is seen in the final product.
Weight is more accurate than volume because it considers moisture, temperature, and density, which can affect the volume of ingredients. For instance, a cup of sugar measured by volume could be significantly different when measured in weight depending on how it is packed in the container. However, 500 grams of the same remains 500 grams when measured in weight.
Conclusion
The major difference between the imperial and US systems is that the volume quantities in the imperial system are larger. However, if your recipe’s origin is in the United States, use the US system. On the other hand, if it originates from Australia, the United Kingdom, or other countries that were formerly a part of the British Empire, use the imperial conversion system to get the perfect final product.
