1. Volume & Weight (Mass)Volume & Weight (Mass)
ConversionsConversions
con·ver·sion (k n-vûr zh n, -sh n)con·ver·sion (k n-vûr zh n, -sh n)
1. a.1. a. The act of converting.The act of converting.
b.b. The state of being converted.The state of being converted.
c. The expression of a quantity inc. The expression of a quantity in
alternative units, as of length or weight.alternative units, as of length or weight.
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2. Converting Amounts: Weight (Mass) & VolumesConverting Amounts: Weight (Mass) & Volumes
RulesRules

Rule # 1: When creating the fraction to execute a conversion, theRule # 1: When creating the fraction to execute a conversion, the
“HOW MANY”“HOW MANY” isis ALWAYSALWAYS the bottom number of the fraction andthe bottom number of the fraction and
thethe “ARE THERE IN”“ARE THERE IN” isis ALWAYSALWAYS the top number of the fractionthe top number of the fraction
Rule # 2:Rule # 2:

When calculating a volume or weight conversion, beforeWhen calculating a volume or weight conversion, before
you divide the fraction, you must change the amounts soyou divide the fraction, you must change the amounts so
you are dividing like things; oz. /oz. --- Tbs. /Tbs. --- tsp. /you are dividing like things; oz. /oz. --- Tbs. /Tbs. --- tsp. /
tsp. etc.tsp. etc.

FORMULAFORMULA ARE THERE INARE THERE IN = Conversion= Conversion
HOW MANYHOW MANY

EXAMPLEEXAMPLE: How many: How many pintspints are there inare there in 1 ½1 ½
gallons.gallons.
Method 1:Method 1: 1 ½ gallons1 ½ gallons == 1.5 x 128 oz.1.5 x 128 oz. == 192 oz.192 oz. == 12 Pints12 Pints
Pints 1 x 16 oz. 16 ozPints 1 x 16 oz. 16 oz..
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3. Culinary Math ConversionsCulinary Math Conversions
Method # 2 :Method # 2 :

EXAMPLEEXAMPLE: How many pints: How many pints are there inare there in 1 ½ gallons.1 ½ gallons.

1 Gallon = 16 Cups;1 Gallon = 16 Cups; 1 Gallon = 8 Pints1 Gallon = 8 Pints

1 Gallon = 4 Quarts;1 Gallon = 4 Quarts; 1 Gallon = 2 Half gallons1 Gallon = 2 Half gallons

1 Gallon = 1 Gallon1 Gallon = 1 Gallon

EXAMPLE:EXAMPLE: There are 8 pints in 1 gallonThere are 8 pints in 1 gallon;; we have 1 ½we have 1 ½
gallonsgallons

Therefore:Therefore:

# of Gallons we have# of Gallons we have xx # of pints in a gallon# of pints in a gallon = # of pints= # of pints
OROR
1.5 (Gallons)1.5 (Gallons) xx 8 (Pints per gallon)8 (Pints per gallon) == 12 Pints12 Pints
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4. Recipe ConversionsRecipe Conversions
Most Chefs will at one time or another look to cookbooksMost Chefs will at one time or another look to cookbooks
or cooking magazines for inspiration and new ideas.or cooking magazines for inspiration and new ideas.
Most recipes are written for from 6 to 8 portions. RarelyMost recipes are written for from 6 to 8 portions. Rarely
in restaurants do we cook/prepare food for exactly 6/8in restaurants do we cook/prepare food for exactly 6/8
people.people.
One of the most used formulas in kitchens is the recipeOne of the most used formulas in kitchens is the recipe
conversion formulas.conversion formulas.
FORMULA:FORMULA:
New (unknown) Recipe Yield ÷New (unknown) Recipe Yield ÷Old (known) RecipeOld (known) Recipe
YieldYield = Conversion Factor= Conversion Factor or C.F.or C.F.
OROR
New Recipe (Needed)New Recipe (Needed) = Recipe Conversion Factor= Recipe Conversion Factor
OLD RECIPE (Known)OLD RECIPE (Known)
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5. Creating a Recipe ConversionCreating a Recipe Conversion
Factor (C.F.)Factor (C.F.)
New Recipe (Needed)New Recipe (Needed) = Recipe Conversion Factor= Recipe Conversion Factor
OLD RECIPE (Known)OLD RECIPE (Known)
EXAMPLE:EXAMPLE: You have a recipe thatYou have a recipe that makes 3- 10” piesmakes 3- 10” pies
(old/known yield)(old/known yield) and you need toand you need to make 12-make 12-
10”(new/unknown yield) pies10”(new/unknown yield) pies, and the portion size is the, and the portion size is the
same for each (whole 10” pies) In this instance you aresame for each (whole 10” pies) In this instance you are
clearly going to need to make a larger batch, but howclearly going to need to make a larger batch, but how
much larger?much larger? To create a conversion factor use theTo create a conversion factor use the
above formula.above formula.
SOLUTION:SOLUTION:
12 pies (new Yield)12 pies (new Yield) ÷÷ 3 Pies (old Yield)3 Pies (old Yield) ==
Conversion factor of 4 x’sConversion factor of 4 x’s
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6. Using the Recipe Conversion FactorUsing the Recipe Conversion Factor
When Potion Size IS UnchangedWhen Potion Size IS Unchanged
When using the conversion factor youWhen using the conversion factor you ALWAYS MULTIPLYALWAYS MULTIPLY
ingredient amount x’s the conversion factor. It does not matter if youingredient amount x’s the conversion factor. It does not matter if you
need to make a larger recipe or a smaller recipe.need to make a larger recipe or a smaller recipe.
Formula:Formula:
Ingredient AmountIngredient Amount x C.F.= New Ingredient Amountx C.F.= New Ingredient Amount
SOLUTION:SOLUTION:
3 pie shells3 pie shells xx 4 =4 = 12 pie shells12 pie shells
4 # Granny Smith Apples4 # Granny Smith Apples xx 4 =4 = 16 #’s of apples16 #’s of apples
2 Tbs. flour2 Tbs. flour xx 4 =4 = 8 Tbs. flour ( 1/2 cup)8 Tbs. flour ( 1/2 cup)
4 Tbs. sugar4 Tbs. sugar xx 4 =4 = 16 Tbs. sugar (1 cup)16 Tbs. sugar (1 cup)
1 teaspoon cinnamon1 teaspoon cinnamon xx 4 =4 = 4 tsp. cinnamon(1 Tbs. +4 tsp. cinnamon(1 Tbs. +
1 tsp)1 tsp)
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7. Using the C.F to make a smallerUsing the C.F to make a smaller
amountamount
Some times the recipe may be larger than what you need to make.Some times the recipe may be larger than what you need to make.
You need to make the recipe smaller. You have aYou need to make the recipe smaller. You have a recipe that makesrecipe that makes
10- 10” pies (old yield)10- 10” pies (old yield) and you want toand you want to make 4- 10” pies (newmake 4- 10” pies (new
yield).yield). YOU USE THE SAME FORMULA THE SAME WAYYOU USE THE SAME FORMULA THE SAME WAY
Problem:Problem:
You have a recipe that makesYou have a recipe that makes 10- 10” pies (old yield)10- 10” pies (old yield)
and you want to makeand you want to make 4- 10” pies (new yield).4- 10” pies (new yield).
SolutionSolution
4 pies (new yield)4 pies (new yield) ÷÷ 10 pies (old yield)10 pies (old yield) == C.F. of .4 x’s.C.F. of .4 x’s.
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8. Reducing a Recipe YieldReducing a Recipe Yield
Using the conversion factor:Using the conversion factor: When using the conversion factorWhen using the conversion factor
youyou ALWAYS MULTIPLYALWAYS MULTIPLY ingredient amount x’s the conversioningredient amount x’s the conversion
factor,factor, even when you are reducing the size of the recipe.even when you are reducing the size of the recipe.
RULE:RULE: When you multiply a number by a number smaller than 1 (one)When you multiply a number by a number smaller than 1 (one)
you reduce the size of the numberyou reduce the size of the number..
SOLUTION:SOLUTION:
10 pie shells10 pie shells xx .4.4 == 4 pie shells4 pie shells
12 # Granny Smith Apples12 # Granny Smith Apples xx .4.4 = 4.8 #’s of apples= 4.8 #’s of apples
6 Tbs. flour6 Tbs. flour xx .4.4 = 2.4 Tbs. flour= 2.4 Tbs. flour
12 Tbs. sugar12 Tbs. sugar xx .4.4 = 4.8 Tbs. sugar= 4.8 Tbs. sugar
3 teaspoon cinnamon3 teaspoon cinnamon xx .4.4 = 1.2 tsp. cinnamon= 1.2 tsp. cinnamon
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9. When Recipe Portion Sizes AreWhen Recipe Portion Sizes Are
DifferentDifferent
EXAMPLE:EXAMPLE: You have a recipe for lasagna thatYou have a recipe for lasagna that
you use at lunch for lasagna thatyou use at lunch for lasagna that makes 12makes 12
portions that are 8 ozportions that are 8 oz. @. You need to convert it. @. You need to convert it
for a dinner recipe that is one forfor a dinner recipe that is one for 86 people and86 people and
@ portion is going to be 12 oz.@ portion is going to be 12 oz.
You still use the same conversion factor formulaYou still use the same conversion factor formula
and find it the same wayand find it the same way
FORMULA:FORMULA: New YieldNew Yield ÷÷Old YieldOld Yield == ConversionConversion
factorfactor
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10. Recipes w/ Different Portions-Recipes w/ Different Portions-
continuedcontinued
Just substitute the Numbers for teheJust substitute the Numbers for tehe
corresponding termcorresponding term
(86 portions x 12 oz)(86 portions x 12 oz) xx (12 portions x 8(12 portions x 8
oz.)oz.) == Conversion FactorConversion Factor
1032 oz.1032 oz. ÷÷ 96 oz.96 oz. == 10.75 C.F.10.75 C.F.
To create the new recipe yield, multiply @To create the new recipe yield, multiply @
ingredient x’s the 10.75 conversion factor.ingredient x’s the 10.75 conversion factor.
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