Weights and Measures?
 

A recipe site I use can translate from cup/spoon measures into grams. I've
just acquired a digital scale that uses either pounds or grams so I'm
wondering, should I make the change to gram measures?

The scale claims 1 gram resolution although I don't have weights to
validate that.

Andy

On Mon 12 Sep 2005 10:40:29a, Andy wrote in rec.food.cooking:

> A recipe site I use can translate from cup/spoon measures into grams. I've
> just acquired a digital scale that uses either pounds or grams so I'm
> wondering, should I make the change to gram measures?
>
> The scale claims 1 gram resolution although I don't have weights to
> validate that.
>
> Andy
>

Only if you want to convert all your recipes. Personally, I think it would
be a royal PITA. If you have or acquire cookbooks or recipes that already
use metric, then by all means do so.

--
Wayne Boatwright *¿*
____________________________________________

Give me a smart idiot over a stupid genius any day.
Sam Goldwyn, 1882-1974

In article >, Andy <q>
wrote:

> A recipe site I use can translate from cup/spoon measures into grams. I've
> just acquired a digital scale that uses either pounds or grams so I'm
> wondering, should I make the change to gram measures?
>
> The scale claims 1 gram resolution although I don't have weights to
> validate that.

Use whatever system of measure with which you are most comfortable.

Stan Horwitz wrote:
> In article >, Andy <q>
> wrote:
>
>> A recipe site I use can translate from cup/spoon measures into
>> grams. I've just acquired a digital scale that uses either pounds or
>> grams so I'm wondering, should I make the change to gram measures?
>>
>> The scale claims 1 gram resolution although I don't have weights to
>> validate that.
>
> Use whatever system of measure with which you are most comfortable.

I don't get the point of the question.
If the scale measures in pounds and grams why would you care which system
you used?
I assume that the scale will do any weight conversion at the push of a
button.

Ken.

Ken Davey wrote:

> Stan Horwitz wrote:
>> In article >, Andy <q>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> A recipe site I use can translate from cup/spoon measures into
>>> grams. I've just acquired a digital scale that uses either pounds or
>>> grams so I'm wondering, should I make the change to gram measures?
>>>
>>> The scale claims 1 gram resolution although I don't have weights to
>>> validate that.
>>
>> Use whatever system of measure with which you are most comfortable.
>
> I don't get the point of the question.
> If the scale measures in pounds and grams why would you care which
> system you used?
> I assume that the scale will do any weight conversion at the push of a
> button.
>
> Ken.


Weight vs. volume. Just curious and had to ask.


--
Andy
http://tinyurl.com/dzl7h

Ken Davey wrote:
>
> I don't get the point of the question.
> If the scale measures in pounds and grams why would you care
> which system you used?
> I assume that the scale will do any weight conversion at the
> push of a button.

I'm reminded of the old joke about cutting up a
pizza. The punchline is "I don't think I could
eat eight pieces."

Andy wrote:
> A recipe site I use can translate from cup/spoon measures into grams. I've
> just acquired a digital scale that uses either pounds or grams so I'm
> wondering, should I make the change to gram measures?
>
> The scale claims 1 gram resolution although I don't have weights to
> validate that.
>
> Andy
You got water, eh? A fluid oz is 30 grms. A Tablespoon is 15, and a
teaspoon is 5. So get out those measuring spoons and have at it.

As for changing recipes to grams, why bother. Use whichever.

--
Del Cecchi
"This post is my own and doesn’t necessarily represent IBM’s positions,
strategies or opinions.”

Del Cecchi wrote:

>> The scale claims 1 gram resolution although I don't have weights to
>> validate that.
>>
>> Andy
> You got water, eh? A fluid oz is 30 grms. A Tablespoon is 15, and a
> teaspoon is 5. So get out those measuring spoons and have at it.


You have a point there, but your hair conceals it. ;)

For the sake of argument, If I had a container to hold the water that
weighed a gram, I wouldn't need water, now would I? You get the idea?

Andy


--
Andy
http://tinyurl.com/dzl7h

Andy wrote:
> Ken Davey wrote:
>
> > Stan Horwitz wrote:
> >> In article >, Andy <q>
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >>> A recipe site I use can translate from cup/spoon measures into
> >>> grams. I've just acquired a digital scale that uses either pounds or
> >>> grams so I'm wondering, should I make the change to gram measures?
> >>>
> >>> The scale claims 1 gram resolution although I don't have weights to
> >>> validate that.
> >>
> >> Use whatever system of measure with which you are most comfortable.
> >
> > I don't get the point of the question.
> > If the scale measures in pounds and grams why would you care which
> > system you used?
> > I assume that the scale will do any weight conversion at the push of a
> > button.
> >
> > Ken.
>
>
> Weight vs. volume. Just curious and had to ask.


Huh? No kitchen scale I've ever seen converts to volume.

Sheldon

Sheldon wrote:

>
> Andy wrote:
>> Ken Davey wrote:
>>
>> > Stan Horwitz wrote:
>> >> In article >, Andy <q>
>> >> wrote:
>> >>
>> >>> A recipe site I use can translate from cup/spoon measures into
>> >>> grams. I've just acquired a digital scale that uses either pounds
or
>> >>> grams so I'm wondering, should I make the change to gram
measures?
>> >>>
>> >>> The scale claims 1 gram resolution although I don't have weights
to
>> >>> validate that.
>> >>
>> >> Use whatever system of measure with which you are most
comfortable.
>> >
>> > I don't get the point of the question.
>> > If the scale measures in pounds and grams why would you care which
>> > system you used?
>> > I assume that the scale will do any weight conversion at the push
of a
>> > button.
>> >
>> > Ken.
>>
>>
>> Weight vs. volume. Just curious and had to ask.
>
>
> Huh? No kitchen scale I've ever seen converts to volume.
>
> Sheldon


DUH?

Andy

Andy wrote:
> Ken Davey wrote:
>
> > Stan Horwitz wrote:
> >> In article >, Andy <q>
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >>> A recipe site I use can translate from cup/spoon measures into
> >>> grams. I've just acquired a digital scale that uses either pounds or
> >>> grams so I'm wondering, should I make the change to gram measures?
> >>>
> >>> The scale claims 1 gram resolution although I don't have weights to
> >>> validate that.
> >>
> >> Use whatever system of measure with which you are most comfortable.
> >
> > I don't get the point of the question.
> > If the scale measures in pounds and grams why would you care which
> > system you used?
> > I assume that the scale will do any weight conversion at the push of a
> > button.
> >
> > Ken.
>
>
> Weight vs. volume. Just curious and had to ask.

Weight is probably more accuate but unless you are baking
professionally it probably is not all that importand. That said my old
copy of Amendola's book on baking gave all measures in lb & oz. No
volume measures that I can recall. I think I had a pie crust recipe
that called for 10lb of flour and 3 lb of water.

Andy wrote:

> A recipe site I use can translate from cup/spoon measures into grams. I've
> just acquired a digital scale that uses either pounds or grams so I'm
> wondering, should I make the change to gram measures?
> The scale claims 1 gram resolution although I don't have weights to
> validate that.
> Andy

Between living in Europe for years and studying scientific stuff from
time to time, I really feel more comfortable with the metric system.
I made myself a little chart of equivalents and taped it to the inside
of my cabinet door for ready reference (want a copy?). I find this
exceedingly handy when changing the quantity of pickle recipes
mostly. Gawd I hate fractions, so I switch everything to metric
and math away in peace. I have had to change some items in my
personal notes like weighing spices in grams instead of the milliliters
that are teaspoons. My kitchen scale makes it easy too.
Edrena

jrkrideau wrote:
> Andy wrote:
> > Ken Davey wrote:
> >
> > > Stan Horwitz wrote:
> > >> In article >, Andy <q>
> > >> wrote:
> > >>
> > >>> A recipe site I use can translate from cup/spoon measures into
> > >>> grams. I've just acquired a digital scale that uses either pounds or
> > >>> grams so I'm wondering, should I make the change to gram measures?
> > >>>
> > >>> The scale claims 1 gram resolution although I don't have weights to
> > >>> validate that.
> > >>
> > >> Use whatever system of measure with which you are most comfortable.
> > >
> > > I don't get the point of the question.
> > > If the scale measures in pounds and grams why would you care which
> > > system you used?
> > > I assume that the scale will do any weight conversion at the push of a
> > > button.
> > >
> > > Ken.
> >
> >
> > Weight vs. volume. Just curious and had to ask.
>
> Weight is probably more accuate but unless you are baking
> professionally it probably is not all that importand.

I there box cake boy!

Those who bake professionally rarely weigh/measure anything, other than
water their recipes are based on the quantities that ingredients are
normally available (and they don't like lots a bits and pieces of
ingredients about so they tend to develop recipes that use the entire
package). And accuracy is not really as important with baking as most
folks seem to think, and the larger the recipe the less important
accuracy becomes... do you really think if a bread or cake recipe calls
for 100 pounds of flour it matters if you used a pound or two more or
less... doesn't... in fact of that 100 pounds of flour a professional
baker will always hold back about 5 pounds, guess why... because
professional baker's vast experience affords them the ability to judge
a batch of dough/batter far more accurately by sight, feel, and sound
then by how carefully measured. In fact a professional baker relies on
sound above all else, they know precisely when it's time to turn off
the mixer solely by the sound the dough/batter makes as it slaps the
sides of the bowl... that's how they can go off to do something else
while the mixer is running... don't want any stinkin' timer iffn you
got ears... and they can tell from the sound if some of that held back
flour is needed, and none is wasted, it becomes bench flour. Compared
with a professional baker, when you measure it's tantamont to Liberace
needing written music to give a concert, or Michaelangelo doing the
Sistine Chapel with paint by numbers. Baking is far, far more an art
form than it relies on following directions precisely... if you're into
precision baked goods then Twinkies and Ring Dings are right up your
alley.

Sheldon

The Joneses wrote:
> Andy wrote:
>
>> A recipe site I use can translate from cup/spoon measures into
>> grams. I've just acquired a digital scale that uses either pounds or
>> grams so I'm wondering, should I make the change to gram measures?
>> The scale claims 1 gram resolution although I don't have weights to
>> validate that.
>> Andy
>
> Between living in Europe for years and studying scientific stuff from
> time to time, I really feel more comfortable with the metric system.
> I made myself a little chart of equivalents and taped it to the inside
> of my cabinet door for ready reference (want a copy?). I find this
> exceedingly handy when changing the quantity of pickle recipes
> mostly. Gawd I hate fractions, so I switch everything to metric
> and math away in peace. I have had to change some items in my
> personal notes like weighing spices in grams instead of the
> milliliters that are teaspoons. My kitchen scale makes it easy too.
> Edrena

Try this
http://www.joshmadison.com/software/convert/

Ken.

"Andy" <q> wrote in message
.. .
> Del Cecchi wrote:
>
>>> The scale claims 1 gram resolution although I don't have weights to
>>> validate that.
>>>
>>> Andy
>> You got water, eh? A fluid oz is 30 grms. A Tablespoon is 15, and a
>> teaspoon is 5. So get out those measuring spoons and have at it.
>
>
> You have a point there, but your hair conceals it. ;)
>
> For the sake of argument, If I had a container to hold the water that
> weighed a gram, I wouldn't need water, now would I? You get the idea?
>
> Andy
>
>
> --
> Andy
> http://tinyurl.com/dzl7h

Well, andy, you want to measure resolution. So you put a container, any
old container, on the scale. Get out your crayons and write down the
number. now add 1 tsp water to the container. Write down the new
number. Get out your calculator and subtract the first number from the
second number. The difference should be 5 grams. Now repeat only add
1/2 teaspoon water. The difference should be 2 or 3 grams.

Did I type that slowly enough for you to catch on?

del

"Del Cecchi" > wrote in message
> You got water, eh? A fluid oz is 30 grms. A Tablespoon is 15, and a
> teaspoon is 5. So get out those measuring spoons and have at it.
>

True for water, but not for flour, sugar, oregano, etc.

"Del Cecchi" > wrote in message
> Well, andy, you want to measure resolution. So you put a container, any
> old container, on the scale. Get out your crayons and write down the
> number. now add 1 tsp water to the container. Write down the new number.
> Get out your calculator and subtract the first number from the second
> number. The difference should be 5 grams. Now repeat only add 1/2
> teaspoon water. The difference should be 2 or 3 grams.
>
> Did I type that slowly enough for you to catch on?
>
> del

OK for measuring resolution, but still does not answer his original
question. To accomplish what he wants to do, you have to take density into
consideration. A cup of bay leaves is not going to weigh the same as a cup
of water, so you have to determine the specific gravity of bay leaves first.

Del Cecchi wrote:
> "Andy" <q> wrote in message
> .. .
>> Del Cecchi wrote:
>>
>>>> The scale claims 1 gram resolution although I don't have weights to
>>>> validate that.
>>>>
>>>> Andy

The need for 1 gram resolution doesn't happen in cooking ;)

Ken.

In article >,
Del Cecchi > wrote:

> Andy wrote:
> > A recipe site I use can translate from cup/spoon measures into grams. I've
> > just acquired a digital scale that uses either pounds or grams so I'm
> > wondering, should I make the change to gram measures?
> >
> > The scale claims 1 gram resolution although I don't have weights to
> > validate that.
> >
> > Andy
> You got water, eh? A fluid oz is 30 grms. A Tablespoon is 15, and a
> teaspoon is 5. So get out those measuring spoons and have at it.
>
> As for changing recipes to grams, why bother. Use whichever.

I believe that will work fine for fluid ounces, especially water. For
things with different densities, like flour and vegetables, grams and
cups will give different amounts if you use the conversion factor for
water.

On Mon, 12 Sep 2005 14:29:23 -0500, Andy <q> wrote:

>For the sake of argument, If I had a container to hold the water that
>weighed a gram, I wouldn't need water, now would I? You get the idea?

IIRC, a silver American dime used to weigh 5 grams. IDK if that's
still true of the sandwich ones. But that info should be available
online.

--
-denny-

"I don't like it when a whole state starts
acting like a marital aid."
"John R. Campbell" in a Usenet post.

Andy wrote:
> A recipe site I use can translate from cup/spoon measures into grams.

Of what?

>I've
> just acquired a digital scale that uses either pounds or grams so I'm
> wondering, should I make the change to gram measures?

Why measure, most every package of staples is marked with weight/volume
of contents... use all, half, one quarter... got it? I've never yet
used part of any canned goods, never cooked less than a full pound
package of pasta, etc. Learn to use the empty cans you just opened for
a recipe to measure other ingredients... like a tomato paste can is six
ounces, a tomato sauce can is one cup, for a half cup pour from the
tomato sauce can just until by looking inside you see the very edge of
the bottom of the can emerge... that beer can you just chug-a-lugged
is a cup and a half... duh Get into the habit of using the same
bowl/pot/pan each time you prepare a particular recipe... fill full,
halfway, quarterway... practice interpolation. But I don't measure,
unless you call eyeballing measuring... there is no need to ever
measure a gram in a kitchen, those who try to be super precise are
those who **** up, obviously because those who measure can't cook and
never will... cooking is an art form, the ability to cook is acquired
innately... you're born with the ability, it cannot be acquired.
Following a recipe exactly amd calling it cooking is no different from
calling paint by numbers art.

> The scale claims 1 gram resolution although I don't have weights to
> validate that.

A #1 standard paper clip weighs 1 gram.

So what are you doing, meat loaf or pharmaceuticles.

Sheldon

"Sheldon" > wrote in message >
> A #1 standard paper clip weighs 1 gram.
>
> So what are you doing, meat loaf or pharmaceuticles.
>
> Sheldon
>

Using your formula, I tried using a balance scale to make a 2 1/2 pound
meatloaf. It cooked in just over an hour, but it took me two hours to pick
up the paperclips. Please us a better analogy next time.

"Edwin Pawlowski" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Sheldon" > wrote in message >
>> A #1 standard paper clip weighs 1 gram.
>>
>> So what are you doing, meat loaf or pharmaceuticles.
>>
>> Sheldon
>>
>
> Using your formula, I tried using a balance scale to make a 2 1/2 pound
> meatloaf. It cooked in just over an hour, but it took me two hours to
> pick up the paperclips. Please us a better analogy next time.
>

roflmao

That was funnier than, "are you doing meatloaf or pharmaceuticals"... which
had me laughing out loud