1. What is the Cooking Time Conversion Formula?

The cooking time conversion formula adjusts cooking times when changing the size of food items, based on the principle that cooking time is proportional to the 2/3 power of the size ratio.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the cooking time conversion formula:

Where:

• Old Time — Original cooking time in minutes
• New Size — Diameter or characteristic length of new item
• Old Size — Diameter or characteristic length of original item

Explanation: The 2/3 power accounts for the fact that cooking time scales with surface area to volume ratio as size changes.

3. Importance of Cooking Time Conversion

Details: Proper cooking time adjustment ensures food is cooked thoroughly without over-cooking when changing portion sizes or scaling recipes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter original cooking time in minutes and both sizes in consistent units (cm). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Does this work for all types of food?
A: This works best for solid foods like roasts, cakes, and casseroles. Liquids and very thin items may require different adjustments.

Q2: What if my food isn't round?
A: Use a characteristic dimension (like thickness for flat items or shortest side for rectangular items).

Q3: How accurate is this formula?
A: It provides a good estimate but always check food with a thermometer or visual cues for doneness.

Q4: Does this account for different cooking methods?
A: This is most accurate for oven cooking. Adjustments may be needed for grilling, frying, or other methods.

Q5: What about very large size changes?
A: For extreme size differences (more than 2-3x), additional adjustments to temperature may be needed.