If a recipe calls for 100 mL of oil and you don’t have a metric measuring cup, how could you measure this in a kitchen that uses US measurements, and what approximate weight would 100 mL of a typical oil be (consider that many oils have a density around 0.92 g/mL)?

Question

Need to measure 100 mL of oil but only have US cups? Learn the approximate conversions you can use for both volume and weight to get the job done.

Answer 1

Since 100 mL is approximately 3.4 fluid ounces, you can use a US measuring spoon or cup to measure slightly more than 3 1/3 fluid ounces. The approximate weight of 100 mL of oil with a density of 0.92 g/mL would be 92 grams.

Detailed Explanation:

Converting metric measurements to US customary units can be tricky without the right tools. Here's how to approximate 100 mL of oil using US measurements:

1. Conversion Factor: 1 milliliter (mL) is approximately equal to 0.0338 fluid ounces (fl oz).

2. Calculate Fluid Ounces: Multiply 100 mL by the conversion factor: 100 mL * 0.0338 fl oz/mL = 3.38 fl oz. This is roughly 3 and 1/3 fluid ounces.

3. Measure Using US Tools: Use a liquid measuring cup or measuring spoons. Since you need slightly more than 3 1/3 fl oz, carefully measure out 3 fluid ounces and then add a little more to approximate the remaining 1/3 ounce. A tablespoon is 0.5 fl oz, so adding about 2/3 of a tablespoon to 3 fl oz will get you close.

4. Calculate Weight: To find the approximate weight, use the density of the oil. Given a density of 0.92 g/mL, multiply the volume (100 mL) by the density: 100 mL * 0.92 g/mL = 92 grams.

Pro Tip:

For greater accuracy, especially in baking, consider purchasing a kitchen scale that can measure in both grams and ounces. This eliminates the need for conversions and ensures more consistent results.