Weights and measures

Weights and measures can be very confusing because the United States still uses the English system of measurement for most everyday tasks. Most food products are sold in stores by weight, while most recipes are stated in units of dry or liquid volume (usually using abbreviations) such as cups or fractions of a cup, teaspoons, and tablespoons. These measuring cups and spoons are sold at grocery and discount stores; drinking cups and eating spoons should not be used as substitutes for these measuring tools. You should note that the term "net weight" (abbreviated "net wt.") on a package means the weight of the contents, not including the package.

The United States uses the Fahrenheit scale to measure cooking, air, and body temperatures. (Thermometers in scientific labs will be marked in Celsius or centigrade.) To convert degrees Fahrenheit (or F) to degrees Celsius (or C), subtract 32 from the F measure, multiply that number by 5 and divide the result by 9. To convert C to F, multiply the C measure by 9, divide the result by 5 and add 32 to that number. Normal temperature for the human body (using an oral thermometer) is 98.6 F or 37 C. Water boils at 212 F or 100 C; milk is scalded at 150 F or 51 C. A 250 F or 120 C oven is very slow; a 350 F or 180 C oven is moderately hot; and a 500 F or 260 C oven is very hot. For air temperatures, 0 F is -17.8 C; 32 F is 0 C, 68 F is 20 C, and 85 F is 29 C.