Which shaker DOES the salt go in? Does it matter? There is an actual salt and pepper rule. To identify the salt and pepper shakers, it all has to do with the number and size of the holes and your level of commitment to insanity.
People are creatures of habit and of doing things just because that's the way they're done. This is the only explanation for why we leave pie to the end of the meal instead of the more obvious choice of EATING IT FIRST. It's just the way it's done.
Unless it's Blueberry pie because blueberry pie as you probably know is one of The 4 True Pies all of which can be eaten before, during or after meals.
The other thing most of us do is put the salt in the shaker with the most amount of holes. The pepper goes in the shaker with the fewer amount of holes. That is the "rule".
The Salt & Pepper Shaker Rule
Because we're law abiding citizens and we like to follow rules to help maintain a balanced life and orderly society, we do this. We follow the salt and pepper rule.
Well I am here to tell you right now that society is about to become unhinged. It might make more sense to break the salt and pepper rule. I know. Everybody calm down.
I broke all the rules when I went on record declaring I didn't like the Instant Pot after testing it for a month.
Here's the reasoning behind my thumbing my nose at social norms for salt and pepper. Pepper is bigger and lighter. It has a harder time flowing out of the holes. Salt is finer and heavier. It has an easier time flowing out of holes. So doesn't it make sense to put the pepper in the shaker with more holes, and the salt in the shaker with fewer holes?
Yes. I think it does. It does make sense.
And before you start running for the bomb shelter and screaming through the streets, consider this. I actually changed my salt and pepper shakers over 9 years ago. And since then society has stayed pretty much the same. Aside from ... you know.
Of course I don't really use my salt and pepper shakers. I have the pepper grinder I turned myself for all my pepper needs.
And for salt I keep it in a wood bowl and usually just use my fingers to grab some. Why yes, I *do* get salt under my nails every time I do this.
I know about now you're thinking about switching around your salt and pepper shakers but you're worried. What will people think of you? What will happen at the next family dinner when people shake the salt and pepper comes flying out? Nothing. Nothing will happen. Frankly their eyebrows will be so long they won't be able to see which is which anyway.
Fun Facts About Salt
1. Until 100 years ago or so, pound bars of salt were the basic currency in Abyssinia (now called Ethiopia). Some say in very small regions it is still treated as currency.
2. In the early 1800s salt was 4 times as expensive as beef on the frontier – it was essential in keeping people and livestock alive.
3. Kosher salt is indeed, not kosher. It gets its name because the larger salt you know as kosher salt, is what was used when koshering (removing blood from) meat. Larger, salt crystals allowed the surface blood to be removed without absorbing into the meat. So kosher salt could be washed off without affecting the taste of the meat unlike a fine salt.
4. There are 32 references to salt in the bible, the first one being in The Book of Job.
5. Salt is poisonous. But only when consumed in large quantities. That's why in China it used to be a way of committing suicide. And quite a reputable one at that. All the upper crust chose to commit suicide by salt because it was so expensive. Even in a suicidal state there's time for elitism.
6. One of the first known taxes in the world was issued in the year 2200 BC by the Chinese emperor Hsia Yu. He taxed salt. Perhaps it was a way to cut down on suicides.
7. Throughout time, salt has typically been used as money. At one point it was known to trade at the same value as gold. So one ounce of salt was worth the same as an ounce of gold.
Fun Facts About Pepper
1. Historically, pepper was also worth a lot of money, but my sense is that the pepper people are just trying to keep up with all the good salt stories.
2. Andddd that about concludes the "interesting pepper facts".
Not convinced by the salt and pepper rules? You can drill bigger holes into your shakers. Read my tutorial about it here.
Evalyn
Ever so slowly, the world comes around to my way of thinking. Makes me wish I'd started with something a little bigger than salt and pepper.
Alyssa
Or put in cinnamon and nutmeg to sprinkle your coffee with in the morning. We call them Pinnamon and Sutmeg. :)
Laura
pinnamon and sutmeg.... I love that
Joni N.
Oh! You know what? While you're at it, maybe you could enlighten us about the whole toilet paper thing. You know, over vs. under. ;o)
Karen
Over.
mick
Most definitely!
Joni N.
Oh thank goodness we agree. I can continue to read your blog.
Arlene Stopps
Yay!
SmartAlex
Yeah over! So it doesn't touch the wall.
Joni N.
I love the way you think, lady.
I'm completely unbalanced, for the record. I don't even use a salt shaker. I keep my Kosher salt in a little dish. Also, I use a pepper mill so . . . I'm a rebel.
Garbage under the sink is not just a Canadian thing; we do it here in the USA -- at least I do.
alh
Weird, I always thought the salt was supposed to go in the shaker with fewer holes. That's how it was done in my house growing up and that's how I did it. You have now just solved one of the great arguments of my marriage. Who knew my husband was actually the normal one ;0
Heather
Garbage under the sink is kind of a Canadian thing, in my experience.
Judy
It's very American, as well.
SusanR
I live in the US and I'm the only person I know or have known who doesn't put their garbage under the sink. Under my sink are pipes only a mother pipe could love, twisting thither and yon. I think the person who put the pipes in had no clue what they were doing, and just bought an armful of pipes and made them fit somehow. Anyway, no room for a garbage can, so I have a larger can that's at the end of a row of cabinets.
Oona
We keep our trash under the sink, but our recycling in a trash can next to the stove, does this make me partially unbalanced? Half-sketchy? I also don't use salt and pepper shakers... I didn't even have salt in the house until my fiance needed it for some kind of project. Hmm...
MaryC
I never understood the whole "shaker" deal anyway. I follow my Mum's method. Pepper in a grinder and kosher salt in a little covered dish with a little spoon. Whenever I use a salt shaker I never know just how much is going to come out of that high-tech contraption!
lori
I too, must be out of my mind. My garbage can is not under the sink, no room. and it has to have the top that flips up not in. But on the other hand my mom has her's under the sink.
Whistling i am not very good at it,wish I was.
As for the S&P mine have the same amount and size of holes,so I am good either way!!
Shauna
Well that explains it!! I knew someone had to be responsible for all the teens dressing sluttier.... Sorry Karen, but someone has to take the fall for this!!
Lisa
Too much salt is bad for you (and I'm pretty sure too much pepper is delicious!)so I have always switched my shakers. Only one person has ever noticed...my mother...
SmartAlex
That's the way I've always done it. You should have to work harder for your salt! This sometimes backfires on me at restaurants when the salt comes pouring out uninhibited.
Caroline
there's not room for decent-sized trash can under my sink. but there is a highly convenient sliver of floor between the sink and the breakfast nook bench, just perfect for a tall skinny trash can! so there.
Korrine
I think it's unbalanced to put the garbage under the sink! How can you dump garbage from plates and such if you are standing in front of the garbage? Mine is in the cupboard to the left of the sink and the dishwasher is to the right, creating a nice little assembly line. As for S&P, I am a grinder. Also, I have never been able to whistle. You can't imagine the insecurity.
Teresa
I like your set up!
Korrine
I think it's unbalanced to have the garbage under the sink! How can you dump garbage from plates and such if you are standing in front of the garbage? Mine is in the cupboard to the left of the sink, and the dishwasher is to the right, so I have a nice little assembly line going on. Also, I have never been able to whistle. You can't imagine the insecurity.
Chris Graham
We've been in a recession for about two years haven't we? Did the economy begin it's spiral the morning after you made the switch? I'm not sure, but I will forward this to the proper authorities. You are playing with our lives, Karen. Just sayin'.
KarenB
Funny thing about that salt/pepper dilemma! I must have missed the home lesson on that subject as a kid, and always had salt in the one with the fewer holes. I subsequently had a "heated discussion" with a guest (an RCMP officer, who clearly was not packing heat at the time) about the wrongness of my condiment display. I looked it up, only to find out I was WRONG (and embarrassed). But, in protest and humiliation, I did not change! Thanks for the support/ammo.... now to find her email address!
Rebecca
I've never been able to remember which goes in which shaker, leading to many, "Aww dammit"s.
My garbage is not under my sink. Whoever installed our sink and dishwasher went crazy with the pipes, so there's no room under there. I swear it's like that old screensaver with all the pipes.
Ali
Rebecca,
I have the same thing for both! I can't remember which is which for the S&P, although I always thought the salt should be in the one with less because it comes out faster.. AND.. (and I get into arguements with my partner over this) AND.. too much salt is supposedly unhealthy for you, so why wouldn't you use more pepper and less salt.
And the only garbage can that would fit under my sink would be the size of a coffee can which I'd have to take out every time I threw something away. I don't think I'm that unbalanced, but it really does bother me that my garbage isn't under the sink!
Sharon Woo
Ok so I had no such notion that this S&P law existed. I have always put salt in the one with fewer holes because it pours so fast and you don't need as much plus I love LOTS of pepper. I guess I never paid attention to the way others do it.
Karen
Sharon - Well then ... even MORE proof that society won't come unhinged by doing this. Clearly you've been doing it for years! :) ~ karen
Alissa
I'm just like you, Sharon. I rarely use salt, but when I want pepper I want a LOT of pepper!
Erin
I have to agree here. I have never seen salt in the one with more holes, always the smaller holed one like you.
Karen
Erin - I swear. It's the "proper" way. here are a few examples. http://dwellingintheword.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/13-salt-and-pepper.jpg http://matthewcolvin.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/kawaii_salt_n_pepper_bff_photosculpture-p153268953416376642qdjh_400.jpg
http://comps.fotosearch.com/comp/SUE/SUE104/salt-pepper_~BWBW1430.jpg
Anything that shows salt in the one with fewer holes are newer, more contemporary examples. When people were getting smarter, I guess. :) ~ karen
Garth
Sharon the Sensible! Of course pepper goes in the one with the most/biggest holes - it's better for your health! We need salt, but only a little. I Like you!
Mary Fitzgerald
Not so! I used to work at a Seventh Day Adventist hospital, where they did not allow pepper- a gastric irritant- but all the salt you wanted. They did have a large cardiac unit to support.
Jamieson
Not to refute your claims, but...
1. My garbage is in a cupboard in my (non-sink) island. To be fair, I AM unbalanced.
2. I like my pepper in a grinder and I try not to salt my food except during cooking.
3. It's true however that I HAVE been dressing more slutty since 2008.
Karen
Jamieson - My boyfriend bought me my favourite pepper grinder from a crackhead having a "garage sale" on Queen Street. That is all.
DL Burns
Is that Queen Street in Charleston South Carolina? I think I know that crackhead he sells a lot of salt and pepper shakers.
Karen
Nope. different crackhead. ~ karen!
Stephanie
2008 was the yearI left toronto so I missed your slutty dressing. I would have hung around a bit had I known.
Tina
When I had my house built )18 months ago), the design had a hollow corner area that just looks like an empty area. I stared at it for a while and thought about putting in book shelves but my cookbooks are all on my computer now. I finally put the dogs bowls in there and hung the dog food bins. But recently I glanced over there and thought “Trash Can!” It’s the perfect size spot and quite convenient. But then where would I put the dogs’ bowls?
Suzanne
Cupboard under the sink!
Jamieson
While we are updating... I open mail on the side of the envelope, not across the top. Much less tearing is required on that end, but do give it a tap on the counter first so the paper inside is all shifted to the other end. You’re also less likely to tear the contents because there is extra width provided by an envelope but no guarantees with height as the paper may have been folded less than perfectly in thirds!
I don’t know if anyone suggested I do it that way, but I’ve been doing it for at least 30 years. As Little Edie said, SOMEBODY has to think of these things!
Karen
That is how I open an envelope as well. I suspect mom and dad taught us. ~ Amy
Jan in Waterdown
Oh gawd I have missed you and your wit. I almost asked where you were a while back when I thought your brand of snark was required to tame an unruly post about grades o' maple syrup. But I restrained myself in case you and K had a fight and you left in a snit... 😏
Connor
Karen! No! The domestic gods shall smite thee and cast thee into the deepest hell: the shores of New Jersey!
I generally use a mill for both, but next time I find occasion to stock a shaker I'll have to try this.
M
Wow! The shores of New Jersey are the deepest Hell?
Connor, you’re smote!
And no one that’s every been to the New Jersey shire would ever say that
Anita
The NJ shores are a wonder to behold 🌞🏖🏄♀️🏊🌊