# Smallest metal can still used for retail? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 4, 2017, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-metal-can-still-used-for-retail/800717 "2017-11-04T22:00:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-metal-can-still-used-for-retail/800717/21 "2017-11-07T14:09:32Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > I’m not sure a tin is quite precisely the same thing as a can, though. When I think of a can, I think of something hermetically sealed, which can only be opened by cutting it open or otherwise damaging it, not something resealable and which is tight but not perfectly airtight. This. The smallest can…a hermetically sealed CYLINDER…I normally see are cans of tomato paste. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-metal-can-still-used-for-retail/800717/22 "2017-11-07T14:15:55Z")
> [@Enola\_Straight](#): > > This. > > The smallest can…a hermetically sealed CYLINDER…I normally see are cans of tomato paste. In terms of volume, a small can of anchovies is probably smaller I take your point on ‘hermetically sealed’, but cans come in different shapes than cylinders. ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2017, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-metal-can-still-used-for-retail/800717/23 "2017-11-07T20:11:19Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > In terms of volume, a small can of anchovies is probably smaller I take your point on ‘hermetically sealed’, but cans come in different shapes than cylinders. Definitely smaller … the standard little flat can of anchovies you buy in the supermarket is 2 oz. Small tomato paste cans seem to be 6 oz. Anchovy cans are still bigger than the little round tins that Tiger Balm, Burt’s Bees, solder flux, some brands of snuff, etc come in. If we’re going to disallow those, and insist that it be a fairly non-exotic commercial item, maybe the anchovies get back on the table. \Somebody needs to do something about how they package sardines, anchovies, kippers, etc. They are a real pain to open, and half the time you wind up spilling oil all over the place.\ ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2017, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-metal-can-still-used-for-retail/800717/24 "2017-11-08T11:01:48Z")
> [@JKilez](#): > > These are the smallest cans I have seen (of something sold commercially). I have seen tins as small as 1oz and supposedly there are also 0.5oz versions. How big is an oz? Here in the land of miniaturization, I’ve often used small cans of green peas you can get at any supermarket. The lid diameter is about 5cms. and the can height is about 4cms. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2017, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-metal-can-still-used-for-retail/800717/25 "2017-11-08T13:52:30Z")
That’d make your peas cans about 80 mL. 2 ounces is about 60. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2017, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-metal-can-still-used-for-retail/800717/26 "2017-11-08T14:01:05Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > That’d make your peas cans about 80 mL. 2 ounces is about 60. Thanks! wow, that is small. I’ve seen tins much smaller than 80 ml, but not unresealable cans. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2017, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-metal-can-still-used-for-retail/800717/27 "2017-11-08T14:18:30Z")
This is not nearly as small as some of the other cans or tins described, but it may be the smallest metal cylindrical can you’d find in a regular grocery store: a can of wasabi power. [These](https://pogogi.com/sites/default/files/japanesefoodimages/2013/04/wasabiPowderAmazon.jpg) are about 2" high and contain one ounce. > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Remember the very small hinged tins Bayer aspirin used to come in? That’s not really a can, but what a blast from the past! I remember those distinctly but haven’t seen them in a great many years. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2017, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-metal-can-still-used-for-retail/800717/28 "2017-11-08T14:56:00Z")
> [@Isamu](#): > > How big is an oz? 28.3g if weight ounce, 29.6ml if volume ounce. My own first thought was the already-mentioned anchovy cans, which seem to come a lot in 25 to 30g cans. So, about 1oz (of either kind). ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2017, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-metal-can-still-used-for-retail/800717/29 "2017-11-08T15:41:14Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > 28.3g if weight ounce, 29.6ml if volume ounce. > > My own first thought was the already-mentioned anchovy cans, which seem to come a lot in 25 to 30g cans. So, about 1oz (of either kind). Hmmm. In your area, they seem to pack anchovies in even smaller cans. I always see them marked 2 oz (56g). For reference, this site gives the size of the can as 95 mm Long x 42 mm Width x 20 mm (several heights): [http://www.sommecan.com/nonround/irregularcanguide.html](http://www.sommecan.com/nonround/irregularcanguide.html) ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2017, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-metal-can-still-used-for-retail/800717/30 "2017-11-08T15:46:09Z")
Wow. “Quick Guide To Non Round Cans.” There really is a website for _everything_, isn’t there? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/smallest-metal-can-still-used-for-retail/800717.md?page=1)