Does anyone measure (rather than weigh, ie: cups) ingredients when cooking?

Posted by Aurorafaery@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 11 comments

I had an exchange with an American steamer today who said he has worked with “several British chefs” (in the US) and all have used measures rather than weights. He argued that even as a British, trained chef, I haven’t worked in EVERY kitchen in the UK, and that I am wrong for saying we only tend to measure liquids or small quantities (ie: 1tbsp of cornflour, 1/2tsp salt etc) and weigh dry ingredients. I pointed out that I have worked with chefs from different countries in the UK and they all convert to our measurements when working in our kitchens because measuring cups just aren’t available. I left the “debate” because he was dead set on his view and I questioned if I was wrong…can anyone tell me if they use measures rather than weights when cooking? No I know chefs don’t tend to use either once they’re familiar with recipes, but I’m saying when learning a recipe, do you tend to use lbs/oz/grams or cups etc?

11 Comments

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Underwritingking@reddit

I measure quantities like teaspoons, tablespoons, or in mls when the recipe tells me to, otherwise in grams. When I went on a cookery course a few years ago they did recommend weighing liquids rather than using a jug with a ml scale on the side, as it's more accurate and consistent. I'm 65 and I've never measured in "cups", or "pocketfuls" or "7 and 3/8 hatfuls" like they seem to in the USA

KoreanJesusPleasures@reddit

You know, you can use metric instead of imperial and omit the needless patronization. Doesn't bolster your opinion in anyway.

BTP_61016@reddit

I don't - but I wouldn't be surprised if it becomes more common with the general Americanisation of Britain.

iolaus79@reddit

So someone working in a US kitchen, following US recipes (presumably) uses the equipment they have there? And he thinks that translates to everyone else does too

Trick-Cupcake9304@reddit

I weigh everything in grams (unless its tsp/tbsp). Liquids in ml most of the time though sometimes I weigh liquids if everything is going into the same bowl (Yorkshire pud mix) A well run kitchen will have the recipes written down. Converting from cups to grams is a pain so I assume British/Non US chefs would use cups in a US kitchen. FYI Some US cake/pastry chefs are switching to grams as it is more accurate. If I'm using a US recipe at home for the first time I'll convert it to grams first, or record the weight of the cups as I'm making the dish for future reference. Our cups are metric (250ml) versus US cups which are 237 ml.

ChocolateSnowflake@reddit

Only pancakes. Because the recipe I like is for American pancakes and it uses cups.

EFTRSx1@reddit

"I haven’t worked in EVERY kitchen in the UK" I hate this argument, it's only ever used when someone can't prove they're right, so instead they make it seem like you can't prove you're right. I haven't tried every brand of vodka in the world, but I've damn well tried enough to know that I don't like vodka.

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explosivethinking@reddit

Yeah, all the British chefs I know will generally weigh ingredients; converting from cups to grams if necessary from American recipes. Small quantities of liquid eg tsp/tbsp are often done by sight, or with measuring spoons for the first few goes, which are more readily available than measuring cups.

samdug123@reddit

I'm a Chef and have been a while I nearly always weigh my ingredients I even weigh liquids to save time sometimes. Like you say ill use a tsp etc as well but would just convert a recipe with cups to grams. I was never a pastry chef but never known one to use cups etc. I would deffo say its rare.

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