|
Measurements |
| The
majority
of
kitchens
in
the
United
States
use
non-metric
measurements.
There
have
been
several
movements
in
the
U.S.
to
convert
to
the
metric
system
but
this
movement
to
date
has
not
been
successful.
In many ways chefs that become familiar with the metric scales appreciate them more than the present U.S. Standard because it allows for much finer measurements. For example an ounce is measured in 28.35 grams. When duplicating recipes this allows for much closer duplication on a consistent basis. The base measures in metrics are liter (l) for liquid; meter (m) for distance and gram (g) for weight. The metric system uses three Latin prefixes to indicate measurements which are less than the base measure: deci means 1/10 (.100); centi means 1/100 (.010); milli means 1/1000 (.001). Three Greek prefixes are used to indicate more then the base measure: deca means 10; hecto means 100; kilo means 1000. The use of the metric system itself is simple. A deciliter equals .010 of a liter and a kilogram equals 1000 grams. It is the conversion of U.S. standard to metric and vice versa, that becomes challenging. For this computer programs and conversion tables come in handy. |