Odd Measures

[Jinmyo]

Heh heh heh. Just another reason I despise recipes.

[gsquared]

In one of our local languages - a "grypie" - a "small grab"

Don't you just hate it when a recipe calls for 132ml of something?

[hjshorter]

Can sizes. Arg.

#1 is 10.5 ounces

#300 is 15 ounces 

#1 1/2 is 16 ounces

#303 is 17 ounces

#10 is 106 ounces

Source: Cook's Book of Essential Information: A Kitchen Handbook page 87.

Where is the logic in this?

Who does this make sense to? 

I have recipes that call for a "#2 can" of something. What is that?

[hjshorter]

...and a "Jigger" of....      ???????? 

Can't tell you exactly how much a jigger is, but isn't a "pony" double that?

[T. Brooks]

...and a "Jigger" of....    ???????? 

Can't tell you exactly how much a jigger is, but isn't a "pony" double that?

What about measuring drinks in "Fingers"? I hope that I get a tub with fat fingers.

[Really Nice!]

Can sizes. Arg.

#1 is 10.5 ounces

#300 is 15 ounces 

#1 1/2 is 16 ounces

#303 is 17 ounces

#10 is 106 ounces

Source: Cook's Book of Essential Information: A Kitchen Handbook page 87.

Where is the logic in this?

Who does this make sense to? 

I have recipes that call for a "#2 can" of something. What is that?

A number 2 can is 20 ounces.

2 1/2 is 28 ounces

3 is 33 ounces

5 is 58 ounces

[Really Nice!]

...and a "Jigger" of....    ???????? 

Can't tell you exactly how much a jigger is, but isn't a "pony" double that?

Also in, Cook's Book of Essential Information: A Kitchen Handbook page 86:

1 pony.............3/4 ounce

1 shot.................1 ounce

1 jigger........1 1/2 ounces

1 split.................6 ounces

[britcook]

Does the Scoville scale for rating the hotness of peppers fit under this heading, or is it a different species?

The Scoville scale registers the amount of capsaicin in something (usually peppers), devised by chemist Wilbur Scoville who worked for Parke-Davis. Definitely not an odd measure.

And a gill is a quarter of a (British) pint.

[jackal10]

Old English commodity measure

Much else on the Foot Rule site.

Firkin 9 gallons

Kilderkin 2 firkin

Barrel 2 kilderkins (but see below)

Hogshead 2 barrels

Pipe/butt 2 hogsheads

Tun 2 Pipes (252 gals)

The ubiquitous barrel appears to have been the most fluid (pun intended) of measures, exhibiting a multitude of sizes depending upon the the commodity for which it was used. Uses include;

Ale - 32 gals. (See table above)

Beer - 36 gals. (See table above)

Butter - 2 cwt.

Cheese (U.K.) - 224 lb. (av.)

Cement (U.S.) - 376 lb. (av.)

Cranberries - 5,826 cu. in.

Dry Goods (U.S.) - 105 quarts @ 268.75 cu. in./gal.

Fluids (U.S.) - 31.5 gals @ 231 cu. in. /gal.

Flour - 196 lb. (av.)

Herrings - 32 gals. (U.K.)

Meat - 200 lb. (av.)

Oil (U.S.) - 42 gal. @ 231 cu. in./gal.

Proof Spirits (U.S.) - 40 gal. @ 231 cu. in./gal.

Soap - 30 gals.

[hjshorter]

Can't tell you exactly how much a jigger is, but isn't a "pony" double that?

1 pony.............3/4 ounce

1 shot.................1 ounce

1 jigger........1 1/2 ounces

1 split.................6 ounces

Thanks! I had that backwards...good thing I don't mix drinks for a living.

[Suzanne F]

"I love you a bushel and a peck

A bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck,

A hug around the neck and a barrel and a heap . . ."

-- Frank Loesser, Guys and Dolls

[elyse]

Firkin 9 gallons

Kilderkin 2 firkin

Barrel  2 kilderkins (but see below)

Hogshead 2 barrels

Pipe/butt 2 hogsheads

Tun 2 Pipes (252 gals)

This is becoming a very silly topic.

[jackal10]

Firkin 9 gallons

Kilderkin 2 firkin

Barrel  2 kilderkins (but see below)

Hogshead 2 barrels

Pipe/butt 2 hogsheads

Tun 2 Pipes (252 gals)

This is becoming a very silly topic.

They are measures of beer. Still used today.

The brew made by the dept of Brewing Technology of the University of Leicester is called Firkin L.

Beer is not silly!

Edited May 19, 2003 by jackal10 (log)

[elyse]

No, beer is definitely NOT silly. But firkin, kilderkin and pipe/butts are.

[oraklet]

I drink my coffee and tea in the same cup!