How to Learn Liquid Measures
From the chef to the laboratory scientist, an accurate grasp of measurement is necessary for many professions and hobbies. Liquid measurement is typically done through the use of marked measuring cups and spoons. Learning common combinations of liquid measures can prove useful, especially when changing the yield of a recipe or formula. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Liquids are typically measured in fluid ounces. Pour 2 tablespoons of water into a container. A tablespoon is one-half a fluid ounce. Examine the fluid ounce and get feeling for what 1 fluid ounce looks like.
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Examine fractional liquid measurements. A teaspoon equals one-sixth of a fluid ounce. Three teaspoons equal 1 tablespoon. Measure out a fluid ounce with a teaspoon or fraction of a teaspoon for practice.
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Move up to cups. One cup is composed of 8 fluid ounces, or 16 tablespoons. How many ounces are in half a cup? (4) How many tablespoons? (8) Try calculating the ounces and tablespoons in a quarter of a cup, a third of a cup, two-thirds of a cup and three-quarters of a cup.
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Let's look at larger quantities. Two cups equal a pint, which is 16 fluid ounces. Double your cups once again, totaling 4 cups, or 2 pints, to make a quart, which is 32 fluid ounces. Practice making pints and quarts with smaller measurements, experimenting and remembering useful combinations.
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The gallon is the largest common measurement used in kitchens for measuring liquids. One gallon equals 4 quarts, 8 pints, 16 cups or 128 fluid ounces. Practice with different combinations of measurements to make a gallon.
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Tips & Warnings
Attempt to memorize what different quantities of liquid look like. This can come in handy if proper measuring vessels are not available.
Measuring cups and spoons are occasionally incorrectly portioned. Always check new ones against already tested and true measuring devices for accuracy.
Make sure that you use measuring devices designed for liquids rather than dry ingredients as the difference in measurement systems can give you an inaccurate result.
