OVERVIEW of PROBLEM: Converting flour weight to volume in a bread recipe
Consul had a good observation in Problem #2 about flour weight VS. volume. So - let's play with it!
The generally accepted correct way to measure flour is to use a dry ingredient measuring cup ... use a spoon to lightly sprinkle the flour into the measuing cup until it overflows, then level it off by running a straight-edge across it. No dipping the measuring cup into the flour, and no tapping, shaking or thumping the cup to level it off! This is normally the way flour is measured in a recipe unless otherwise stated - such as in Cookwise by Shirley Corriher (see Measuring on page 11).
ASSUMPTIONS: We need to make a few assumptions here to try to avoid me leading someone off in the wrong direction this time.
1. We are using US standard weights and measures ... 1 Cup = 16 Tablespoons, 1 pound = 16 ounces, and standard 5 lb bags of flour which are labeled 5-lbs - 80 ounces - 2.26 kg (2.26 kg is actually 2268 grams).
2. The moisture content of the flour is NOT a factor. Neither is if the bag says "Pre Sifted".
3. Using the standard method of measuring flour (above) - you will be within +/- 0.02 ounce by weight per 1 Cup of flour.
4. The "serving size" information on the side of the bag is correct for US measurements (cups, spoons) and only an approximate for the metric weight conversion due to rounding errors.
HELP: You shouldn't need anything more than a simple calculator (paper and pencil also works) but here is a site that will help you with conversions if you need them: http://www.onlineconversion.com
THE PROBLEM:
You have a bread recipe that lists volumes for everything but the bread and wheat flour - and those are given in pounds and ounces .. and you don't have any scales. What to do?
The recipe calls for
1-lb 1-oz Bread flour
1-lb 2-oz Wheat flour
You've got a 5-lb bag of each ... and while you scratch your head you read the information on the side of each bag.
BREAD FLOUR: A serving size is 1/4 cup (30g) - and there are 75 servings per 5-lb bag.
WHEAT FLOUR: A serving size is 3-Tablespoons (31g)- and there are 72 servings per 5-lb bag.
Rounded to the nearest quarter-cup - how many cups of bread flour and wheat flour do you need?
BONUS POINTS: How did you calculate your answer?
Consul had a good observation in Problem #2 about flour weight VS. volume. So - let's play with it!
The generally accepted correct way to measure flour is to use a dry ingredient measuring cup ... use a spoon to lightly sprinkle the flour into the measuing cup until it overflows, then level it off by running a straight-edge across it. No dipping the measuring cup into the flour, and no tapping, shaking or thumping the cup to level it off! This is normally the way flour is measured in a recipe unless otherwise stated - such as in Cookwise by Shirley Corriher (see Measuring on page 11).
ASSUMPTIONS: We need to make a few assumptions here to try to avoid me leading someone off in the wrong direction this time.
1. We are using US standard weights and measures ... 1 Cup = 16 Tablespoons, 1 pound = 16 ounces, and standard 5 lb bags of flour which are labeled 5-lbs - 80 ounces - 2.26 kg (2.26 kg is actually 2268 grams).
2. The moisture content of the flour is NOT a factor. Neither is if the bag says "Pre Sifted".
3. Using the standard method of measuring flour (above) - you will be within +/- 0.02 ounce by weight per 1 Cup of flour.
4. The "serving size" information on the side of the bag is correct for US measurements (cups, spoons) and only an approximate for the metric weight conversion due to rounding errors.
HELP: You shouldn't need anything more than a simple calculator (paper and pencil also works) but here is a site that will help you with conversions if you need them: http://www.onlineconversion.com
THE PROBLEM:
You have a bread recipe that lists volumes for everything but the bread and wheat flour - and those are given in pounds and ounces .. and you don't have any scales. What to do?
The recipe calls for
1-lb 1-oz Bread flour
1-lb 2-oz Wheat flour
You've got a 5-lb bag of each ... and while you scratch your head you read the information on the side of each bag.
BREAD FLOUR: A serving size is 1/4 cup (30g) - and there are 75 servings per 5-lb bag.
WHEAT FLOUR: A serving size is 3-Tablespoons (31g)- and there are 72 servings per 5-lb bag.
Rounded to the nearest quarter-cup - how many cups of bread flour and wheat flour do you need?
BONUS POINTS: How did you calculate your answer?
Last edited:
If you want to work it out in metric and convert to lbs/oz - 5-lbs is actually 2268 grams. The actual weight of a serving size of Bread flour is 30.24g (they round it to 30) and the actual weight of a serving size of Wheat flour is 31.5g (they round it to 31). I'll explain more when I post the answer tomorrow night.
