Label
All
0
Clear all filters

Measuring Devices

Appears in
Professional Cooking
Professional Cooking

By Wayne Gisslen

Published 2014

  • About
The following equipment is discussed in terms of U.S. measurements. Comparable items in metric units are also available.

  1. Scales. Most recipe ingredients are measured by weight, so accurate scales are important. Portion scales are used for measuring ingredients as well as for portioning products for service. Traditional portion scales are spring-operated and usually have a dial to indicate weight. More accurate digital scales are electrically operated and provide a digital readout. The baker’s balance scale is discussed.

    Portion scale

    Digital scale

  2. Volume measures used for liquids have lips for easy pouring. Sizes are pints, quarts, half-gallons, and gallons. Each size is marked off into fourths by ridges on the sides.

    Liquid volume measure

  3. Measuring cups are available in 1-, ½-, ⅓-, and ¼-cup sizes. They can be used for both liquid and dry measures.
  4. Measuring spoons are used for measuring very small volumes: 1 tablespoon, 1 teaspoon, ½ teaspoon, and ¼ teaspoon. They are used most often for spices and seasonings.

    Table 3.1 Scoop Sizes

    U.S. Measure Metric Measure
    Scoop Number Volume Approximate Weight Volume Approximate Weight
    6 ⅔ cup 5 oz 160 mL 140 g
    8 ½ cup 4 oz 120 mL 110 g
    10 3 fl oz 3–3½ oz 90 mL 85–100 g
    12 ⅓ cup 2½–3 oz 80 mL 70–85 g
    16 ¼ cup 2–2½ oz 60 mL 60–70 g
    20 1½ fl oz 1¾ oz 45 mL 50 g
    24 1⅓ fl oz 1⅓ oz 40 mL 40 g
    30 1 fl oz 1 oz 30 mL 30 g
    40 0.8 fl oz 0.8 oz 24 mL 23 g
    60 ½ fl oz ½ oz 15 mL 15 g
    Note: Weights vary greatly with different foods, depending on how compact they are. Best practice is to weigh a scoopful of an item before proceeding with portioning.

  5. Ladles are used for measuring and portioning liquids. The size, in ounces, is stamped on the handle.

    Ladles

  6. Scoops come in standard sizes and have a lever for mechanical release. They are used for portioning soft solid foods. Scoop sizes are listed in Table 3.1. The number of the scoop indicates the number of level scoopfuls per quart. In actual use, a rounded scoopful is often more practical than a level scoopful, so exact weights will vary.

    Scoop

  7. Thermometers measure temperature. There are many kinds for many purposes.

    • A meat thermometer indicates internal temperature of meats. It is inserted before cooking and left in the product during cooking.
    • An instant-read thermometer gives readings within a few seconds of being inserted in a food product. It reads from 0°F to 220°F. Many chefs carry these in their jacket pocket like a pen, ready whenever needed. Instant-read thermometers must not be left in meats during roasting, or they will be damaged.
    • Fat thermometers and candy thermometers test temperatures of frying fats and sugar syrups. They read up to 400°F.

    • Special thermometers are used to test the accuracy of oven, refrigerator, and freezer thermostats.

      Meat thermometer

      Instant-read thermometer with holder

Part of