Cooking Calculator

How to Use the Cooking Calculator

The Cooking Calculator is designed to help you adjust recipe ingredient quantities when changing the number of servings or to convert measurements between metric and imperial systems. Follow the steps below to effectively use this tool:

Step 1: Enter Original Recipe Servings

Begin by entering the number of servings the original recipe was designed for. This should be a whole number between 1 and 100. This input is necessary as it sets the basis for the scaling factor calculations.

Step 2: Enter Desired Servings

Next, type in the number of servings you wish to make. Similar to the original servings, this should also be a whole number between 1 and 100. This step is essential to determine how much each ingredient needs to be scaled up or down.

Step 3: Select Measurement System

Choose between ‘Metric (g, ml, kg)’ and ‘Imperial (oz, lb, cups)’ in the Measurement System dropdown menu. This choice will affect how the ingredient amounts are displayed and converted in the later steps.

Step 4: Input Original Amount

Enter the amount of the ingredient as specified in the original recipe. Ensure this number is non-negative and can include decimal places, allowing for precise scaling.

Step 5: Choose Unit Type

Select the type of unit from the options given: ‘Volume (ml/cups)’, ‘Weight (g/oz)’, or ‘Pieces’. This selection helps to properly scale and convert the measurement according to your chosen system.

Step 6: View Scaled Amount

Based on the input values, the calculator will compute the ‘Scaled Amount’. The formula used is: originalAmount * (desiredServings / originalServings). This result shows the adjusted ingredient amount for your desired servings.

Step 7: Check Measurement Conversions

• Metric Equivalent: If you selected an imperial system, the calculator provides a conversion to metric using the formula: scaledAmount * 28.35, and outputs the conversion in grams (g).
• Imperial Equivalent: If you selected a metric system, the tool gives the conversion to imperial with the formula: scaledAmount / 28.35, and shows the result in ounces (oz).

Step 8: Review the Scaling Factor

Finally, observe the ‘Scaling Factor’ output which is computed by the formula: desiredServings / originalServings. The scaling factor is a critical insight into how much each ingredient is multiplied or divided to achieve the desired servings.

By following these steps, you can efficiently alter recipes to meet your dining needs, ensuring you have the right amount of ingredients while accommodating for different measurement systems.