Student Outcome
  • -Able to understand measurement in relation to foods and beverages.
  • -Able to understand how to use different measuring tools for foods and beverages.
  • -Able to understand units of measurement.

Measuring Ingredients

The resource contains materials relating to the service of alcohol.

Being able to measure ingredients is a core skill required for working in a kitchen or bar. This topic will assist in understanding what to use and how to measure.

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  • Show Me

  • Show Me

    Introduction to Scales

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    Scales are used for weighing food.

    There are two types of scales:

    • electronic or digital
    • balance

    Balance scales:

    • place food on top
    • needle moves to show how much the food weighs

    Electronic/digital scales:

    • gives the reading in numbers
    • are more accurate
    • measure smaller amounts than balance scales

    Spoons and cups are not used in commercial kitchens. They are too inaccurate.

  • Show Me

    Operating Scales

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    Both types of scales must be set to zero before measuring.

    Balance scales

    • make sure the needle is set to zero
    • do this by turning a dial

    Electronic scales

    • automatically set themselves to zero
    • use the TARE or ZERO button

    Zero the scales when using a container to measure in.

    • place empty container on the scales
    • set scales to zero by moving the dial or using the TARE button
    • add item you are measuring

  • Show Me

    Measurements in Food and Beverage

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    Scales weigh food in grams (g) and kilograms (kg).

    • 1000grams (g) = 1 kilogram (kg)
    • 500 g = 0.5 kg
    • 1kg 500g is the same amount as 1.5kg

    Measuring jugs measure liquids in millilitres (mL) and litres (L).

    • 1000 millilitres (mL) = 1 litre (L)
    • 500 mL = 0.5L

    It is important to read the increments carefully when weighing and measuring.

  • Show Me

    Increments

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    What is an increment?

    An increment is an increase in a series of numbers

    • 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250... Increments of 50
    • 0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500... Increments of 100
    • 0, 200, 400, 600, 800... Increments of 200

    Balance scales and measuring jugs show increments that may increase by 50, 100 or 200.

    On balance scales these increments will represent grams (g).

    On measuring jugs these increments will represent millilitres (mL).

  • Show Me

    Measuring Liquids

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    Accuracy is important when measuring liquids such as water, milk or oil.

    Read the measurement at eye level:

    • lean forward OR
    • place the measuring jug on a higher surface

    If you look at it on an angle you will get an inaccurate reading and it will change the amount.

    Liquids are measured in millilitres (mL) and litres (L).

  • Show Me

    Nip Measure

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    Spirits are measured in nips.

    A nip is equal to 1 standard drink in Australia.

    A full nip equals 30 millilitres (mL).

    A half nip equals 15 millilitres (mL).

  • Say It

    There are 2 parts in this section.

    1. The Glossary

    The glossary lists the more difficult words related to the topic in alphabetical order. The glossary also gives the meaning for each word.

    2. Look, Cover, Write, Check!

    This activity gives you practice at remembering and writing the words from the glossary.

  • The Glossary

  • Do It

    Measurements are used in both the bar and the kitchen. It is important to understand units of measurement and how to use measuring equipment correctly.

    Exact measurements in cooking are essential. If measurements aren't accurate time and money may be wasted, and recipes may fail.

    Exact measurements also need to be used in the bar when pouring drinks and mixing cocktails. This is important so that cocktails taste good and industry standards are followed.

    Jump to Activities

  • Do It: Understanding Measurements

  • Do It: Measuring Equipment

  • Do It: Increments

Check It

Check It Quiz

Click on Measuring Ingredients to begin.

Measuring Ingredients
  • Introduction
  • Show Me
  • Say It
  • Do It
  • Check It

Look, Cover, Write, Check!

Try to memorise the following word.
When you are ready, click the mouse in the textbox below and try to spell the word correctly.
  • kilogram
  • gram
  • litre
  • millilitre
  • scales
  • measuring jug
  • nip
  • weigh
  • unit of measurement
  • balance scales
  • digital scales
  • ingredient

Understanding Measurements

scale
Look at the weight on the scale.
Drag the correct weight and unit onto the label.
1000 grams (g) = 1 kilogram (kg)
1000 millilitres (mL) = 1 litre (L)
Weight:
Drop Weight Here
Unit:
Drop Unit Here
kg
g
mL
1
2
5

Understanding Measurements

scale
Look at the weight on the scale.
Drag the correct weight and unit onto the label.
1000 grams (g) = 1 kilogram (kg)
1000 millilitres (mL) = 1 litre (L)
Weight:
Drop Weight Here
Unit:
Drop Unit Here
kg
g
mL
500
600
100

Understanding Measurements

scale
Look at the weight on the scale.
Drag the correct weight and unit onto the label.
1000 grams (g) = 1 kilogram (kg)
1000 millilitres (mL) = 1 litre (L)
Weight:
Drop Weight Here
Unit:
Drop Unit Here
kg
g
mL
170
1.7
1500

Understanding Measurements

scale
Look at the weight on the scale.
Drag the correct weight and unit onto the label.
1000 grams (g) = 1 kilogram (kg)
1000 millilitres (mL) = 1 litre (L)
Weight:
Drop Weight Here
Unit:
Drop Unit Here
kg
g
mL
1200
2.2
22

Understanding Measurements

scale
How much liquid is in the jug?
Drag and drop the correct amount and unit of measurement.
1000 grams (g) = 1 kilogram (kg)
1000 millilitres (mL) = 1 litre (L)
Amount:
Drop Amount Here
Unit:
Drop Unit Here
L
g
mL
2000
200
20

Understanding Measurements

scale
How much liquid is in the jug?
Drag and drop the correct amount and unit of measurement.
1000 grams (g) = 1 kilogram (kg)
1000 millilitres (mL) = 1 litre (L)
Amount:
Drop Amount Here
Unit:
Drop Unit Here
L
kg
mL
400
500
600

Understanding Measurements

scale
How much liquid is in the jug?
Drag and drop the correct amount and unit of measurement.
1000 grams (g) = 1 kilogram (kg)
1000 millilitres (mL) = 1 litre (L)
Amount:
Drop Amount Here
Unit:
Drop Unit Here
kg
mL
L
10
1
100

Understanding Measurements

scale
How much liquid is in the jug?
Drag and drop the correct amount and unit of measurement.
1000 grams (g) = 1 kilogram (kg)
1000 millilitres (mL) = 1 litre (L)
Amount:
Drop Amount Here
Unit:
Drop Unit Here
kg
mL
L
200
1.2
120

Measuring Equipment

Which measuring equipment would you use to measure oil?

Measuring Equipment

Which measuring equipment would you use to measure flour?

Measuring Equipment

Which measuring equipment would you use to measure a small amount of spices?

Measuring Equipment

Which measuring equipment would you use to measure 5kg of meat?

Measuring Equipment

Which measuring equipment would you use for measuring alcohol?

Bar Drink Measures

Drag the nip measures to their correct measurement.

Increments

Complete the series by dragging the correct answer into the box.
10
20
50
100
200
a) 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 is going up in increments of
 
b) 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 is going up in increments of
 
c) 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 is going up in increments of
 
d) 0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 is going up in increments of
 
e) 0, 200, 400, 600, 800 is going up in increments of
 
How much are the increments going up by?
10
20
50
100
How much does this block of cheese weigh?
3g
30g
100g
300g
How much are the increments going up by?
10
20
50
100
How much water is in the jug?
2.5mL
25mL
200mL
250mL