Common Mistakes

Water, eggs, milk, and butter are the only ingredients that will have the same measurement in weight and volume. There is no other ingredient that can be measured interchangeably because of gravity and the density of an item. A simple test of measuring out 8 ounces of milk by volume will show that the weight is equal to. However, if you were to weigh out 8 ounces of all-purpose flour and then try to pack it into 1 C. measuring cup you will find that the entire amount will not fit.

Every ingredient has a different density and different gravitational weight, which will also change according to location: referred to as: specific gravity. Water has a specific gravity of 1.0. Liquids that are lighter than water (such as oils that float on water) have a specific gravity of less than 1.0. Those that are heavier than water and will sink, such as molasses, have a specific gravity greater than 1.0. Unless you are measuring water, remember not to use a volume measure for a weight measure, and vice versa.