Kitchen answers, checked against USDA & NIST
Cups, temps & how long it keeps.
Measurement conversions, safe cooking temperatures, food storage times, thawing and substitutes, in one place, with the math shown and the sources linked.
Key food-safety temperatures
Pick a tool
- Unit converterCups, spoons, ounces, quarts and mL, exact to NIST.24 conversions
- Cups to gramsWhat a cup of flour, sugar or butter really weighs.35 ingredients
- Cooking temperaturesUSDA safe minimums and rare-to-well-done targets.29 foods
- Food storageFridge, freezer and counter times, plus a use-by calculator.60 foods
- ThawingFridge and cold-water times, and when to start.18 foods
- SubstitutesWhat to use instead, with exact ratios.24 ingredients
- °F ↔ °COven, candy and meat temperatures both ways.Oven chart
- GuidesMeasuring, thermometers, freezer burn and more.Read
How long does it keep?
Refrigerator times at 40°F or below, from USDA and FoodSafety.gov.
Quick answers
The questions people ask most, answered in a line.
How many ounces in a cup?
8 fluid ounces in a US cup. By weight it depends on the ingredient: a cup of flour is about 4¼ oz. More
What temperature should chicken be cooked to?
165°F (74°C), measured in the thickest part, for all poultry (USDA). More
What temperature is medium rare steak?
About 130–135°F after resting. USDA's safe minimum for steak is 145°F plus a 3-minute rest. More
How long does cooked chicken last in the fridge?
3–4 days at 40°F or below. More
How long does it take to thaw a turkey?
About 24 hours in the fridge for every 4–5 pounds; in cold water about 30 minutes per pound. More
How many tablespoons in a cup?
16 tablespoons, or 48 teaspoons. More
Guides
Measuring, thermometers, freezer burn, thawing and the rules behind the numbers.
How to Use a Meat Thermometer: Types, Placement and Calibration
How to use a meat thermometer: thermometer types, where to insert it in steak, chicken, turkey and burgers, how to calibrate in ice water and how to clean.
What Temperature Should a Refrigerator Be? Fridge and Freezer Temps
Keep your refrigerator at 40°F or below and your freezer at 0°F. How to check with a thermometer, where food goes, and what to do after a power outage.
How Long Can Food Sit Out? The 2-Hour Rule and the Danger Zone
Perishable food can sit out 2 hours, or 1 hour above 90°F. The 40-140°F danger zone explained, plus eggs, rice, meat, pizza, buffets and picnics.
Where the numbers come from
Safety numbers from USDA FSIS, FoodSafety.gov and FDA; measurements from NIST; ingredient weights from USDA FoodData Central and King Arthur Baking. Linked on every page.