Please explain American count system; tsp, tbl, cup, pint, quart, gallon and so on!?

Question

I don't need to know how to convert into metric system, but how to practically use the American system. I am from Europe and study Hotel/Restaurant Management in Florida. Now I am totally lost and don't know how it works. Please help. Be precisely! Show me from scratch...

The problem I have, is: When you have a recipe for 5 servings for example, then you have to recalculate for 50. You can't just multiply by ten because it doesn't repeat metrically. Say 3 oz x 50 are then not 30 ounces, but 1 lb and somthing. Or 6 cups are not 60, but I don't know. What's the secret? How do explain your children? I don't have a clue!

Ok, thanks. Now I have the facts. But again, how to practically use it in complicated calculations?

Answer 1

Well, general usage guidelines:

My mom-in-law, like the average person, uses 1 tsp (the smaller of the two oval silverware spoons) of sugar in her coffee...

I like my coffee 3 times as sweet, so I use 1 levelled tbsp (the larger of the two oval silverware spoons) of sugar in the same-sized cup (I also use 1 heaping tbsp of butter when frying 3 or 4 chicken breasts in a pan).

1 cup of pancake batter (once you've prepared it with the water, oil, eggs, whatnot) makes about 4 average-sized pancakes.

3 heaping tbsp (or 4 levelled ones) is about equal to 1/4 of a cup.

I rarely use pints. *shrugs* Come to think of it, I've never used a pint.

I buy the large quart-sized tub of butter, as opposed to the stick or the small several-ounce sized tubs.

I buy milk by the gallon (and come home with sore arms from carrying 3 gallons of milk each week).

A small bag of sugar, or a slab of ground beef about 4"x 6" x 2" (the size of a small, but thick, book), is about a pound.

A can of soda is 12 fluid ounces. My cordless telephone is about 12 ounces.

A cup in measuring is generally not the same size as a cup for drinking (the drinking cup tends to be larger, especially so if it's a mug).

A pinch is just that. A pinch between your fingers. I tend to use my thumb and index finger only for mild flavor in cooking; thumb, index, and middle for more potency... others may have their own definitions and rules for a pinch.

An inch is approx. the length of the third section of my middle finger (however, I have small hands).

A foot is about 4 inches longer than my actual foot (I have rather large feet for a woman [size 10 in women's shoes/size 8 in men's]).

A yard = A meter (give or take).

A VW Beetle weighs just under a ton (Add 214 pounds [the weight of a large or hefty man], and it would be a ton).

Room temperature is about 75-78 degrees Fahrenheit, the boiling point of water is 212 degrees, freezing at 32 degrees, and 98.6 for internal body temperature (85 degree heat is uncomfortable and is 't-shirt weather', 95 is hot and is 'swimsuit weather', 100-120 is desert-like heat... 60 degrees is uncomfortable and is 'jacket-weather', 50 and below starts being 'layered-clothes weather').

As to recalculating, I don't bother. It's too much of a hassle. I buy more than needed, and 'guesstimate' if it's enough.

When I make enchiladas, everyone enjoys them so I have to make two or three times the amount the recipie calls for, so I simply buy it in bulk, and add everything 'one cup at a time', instead of figuring everything out.

I hope this helps. ^_^

Answer 2

Oh man...that is tough. I don't understand the metric system and just wish that the U.S. would be normal like the rest of the world and convert!

Okay, let's see.

A teaspoon is not a lot...it is something you would measure vanilla extract or salt (when baking cookies) with...

A tablespoon would be used for the same type of small measurements. It's just a little larger.

One cup is...the measurement of sugar you would use in baking cookies.

A pint...no one too much refers to this...it is usually a quart or something else. But just so you know, 2 pints equal one quart.

One quart of water is the equivalent to 32 ounces of water. It is half of a regular sized water pitcher. (Most pitchers hold about 64 ounces, 2 quarts, or for you get to get a grasp, 2 liters. And for reference, 2 quarts is just shy of 2 liters.

A gallon can be thought of by looking at a standard milk cartoon. Although these also come in half gallons, most are in a gallon container.

I really hope this helps. I sometimes have to convert pounds to kg and it is kinda tricky. But I think that kilogram equals roughly 2.2 pounds...just in case you were curious.

Good luck with your business!

Answer 3

3 Teaspoon=1 Tablespoon
2 Tablespoon=1 fluid ounce
8 ounces=1 cup=1/2 pint
16 ounces=1 pint
2 pints=1 quart=32 fluid ounces
4 quarts=1 gallon=128 fluid ounces

I know our system is confusing to those not used to it but it's easy once you get the hang of it. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Hey Schnatzel,

It's Quite simple!

pinch - 1/8 teaspoon (tsp)or less
3 tsp - 1 Tablespoon (tbl)
4 tbl - 1/4 cup (cp)

8 tbl - 1/2 cp
12 tbl - 3/4 cp
16 tbl - 1 cup
2 cup - 1 pint (pt)
4 cup - 1 quart (qt) also equals 2 (pt)
4 qts - 1 Gallon (gl)
8 qts - 1 Peck (pk)
4 pks - 1 Bushel (bl)
* OTHER *
16 Ounces (oz) - 1 Pound (lb)
1 oz liquid - 2 tbl
8 oz liquid - 1 cp
32 oz - 1 qt


Hope this helps some!

James in San Diego

Answer 5

ok tsp=teaspoon Tbl tablespoon=3tsp cup=8 fl oz oh yeah fl oz is fluid ounces 1fl oz =2Tbl Pint =16fl oz or 2 cups. quart= 2pints or 32 fl oz= 4 cups half gallon=8 cups or 2 quarts=four pints. Gallon=128 fl oz or four quarts. Hope that is clearer now good luck reaper out..................

Answer 6

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