Need help figuring out weights and measures in Grandma's heirloom recipes? This chart will help you understand those oftimes cryptic measurements and instructions.
what can be picked up between thumb and first two fingers; less than 1/8 teaspoon
1/2 pinch
what can be picked up between thumb and one finger
1 saltspoon
1/4 teaspoon
1 kitchen spoon
1 teaspoon
1 dessert spoon
2 teaspoons or 1 soupspoon
1 spoonful
1 Tablespoon more or less
1 saucer
1 heaping cup (about)
Temperatures
Very slow oven
below 300 degrees F.
Slow oven
300 degrees F.
Moderately slow oven
325 degrees F.
Moderate oven
350 degrees F.
Moderately hot oven
375 degrees F.
Quick oven
375 - 400 degrees F.
Hot oven
400-425 degrees F.
Very hot oven
450-475 degrees F.
Extremely hot oven
500 degrees F. or more
Common Weights
1 penny weight
1/20 ounce
1 drachm
1/8 ounce
60 drops thick fluid
1 teaspoon
1 ounce
4-1/2 Tablespoons allspice, cinnamon, curry , paprika or dry mustard or 4 Tablespoons cloves or prepared mustard or 3 1/2 Tablespoons nutmeg or pepper or 3 Tablespoons sage, cream of tartar or cornstarch or 2 Tablespoons salt or any liquid
1 pound
2 cups liquid or 4 cups flour or 8 med size eggs with shells or 10 eggs without shells or 2 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar or packed brown sugar or 4 cups grated cabbage, cranberries, coffee or chopped celery or 3 cups corn meal or 2 cups uncooked rice or 2-3/4 cups raisins or dried currants
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