# Which shaker does the salt go in? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 22, 2012, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-shaker-does-the-salt-go-in/610262 "2012-01-22T00:43:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-shaker-does-the-salt-go-in/610262/21 "2012-01-22T04:18:06Z")
I don’t use shakers of any kind, but in my family, it was salt 3, pepper 5. I use more pepper than salt, by far. Currently, I just use a grinder for the pepper, and a small ramekin for the Kosher salt. I mostly cook with the salt, but my wife uses it to season her food at the table, as she’d probably even salt a salt lick. ---
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-shaker-does-the-salt-go-in/610262/22 "2012-01-22T04:18:48Z")
More holes = salt, always (in my experience). ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-shaker-does-the-salt-go-in/610262/23 "2012-01-22T04:23:40Z")
I checked the pre-filled salt shaker that I use. It has six holes. I bought a whole tray of them at Sams. They are considered disposable. ---
**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:** [January 22, 2012, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-shaker-does-the-salt-go-in/610262/24 "2012-01-22T05:34:54Z")
For me personally, I put the pepper in the one with the more holes, since I use more pepper than salt. I’m aware, though, that the other way around is more usual, and if I’m at someone else’s house and there’s no other indication, I’ll assume the one with more holes is salt. Since I wasn’t sure which the OP was asking for, I didn’t answer. ---
**Author:** ![Lukeinva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lukeinva/32/17872_2.png) [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-shaker-does-the-salt-go-in/610262/25 "2012-01-22T06:03:14Z")
Presumably, pepper is spicier, so, for the less spicy inclined, pepper tends to get fewer holes. ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-shaker-does-the-salt-go-in/610262/26 "2012-01-22T06:47:09Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Put salt in both of them. > > Get a pepper mill for the pepper. This. Fresh-ground pepper beats the hell out of canned, preground stuff. It’s fascinating that this poll is split almost evenly. My experience is that more holes = salt. ---
**Author:** ![DonLogan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/51bf81/32.png) [@DonLogan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DonLogan)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-shaker-does-the-salt-go-in/610262/27 "2012-01-22T13:15:32Z")
Shakers are **designed** with the idea that salt goes in the one with larger/more holes. The question should be worded “Which one do _ **you** _ put salt in?” Please do not apply the same freedom of choice when it comes to which side of the road you drive on. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-shaker-does-the-salt-go-in/610262/28 "2012-01-22T13:27:55Z")
Salt goes in the one on the right, with pepper going on the left, although we only bring out the table-top set when company comes over. We prefer to season the dishes properly while preparing them. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-shaker-does-the-salt-go-in/610262/29 "2012-01-22T13:49:26Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > Salt goes in the one on the right, with pepper going on the left And if I’m sitting directly across the table from you? ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-shaker-does-the-salt-go-in/610262/30 "2012-01-22T14:12:44Z")
Seems ike this is another UK/US difference. I’m with **njtt** on this one. Salt - fewer but larger. Pepper - more but smaller. In my house though I have pepper and sea salt grinders. ---
**Author:** ![SiXSwordS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/49beb7/32.png) [@SiXSwordS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiXSwordS)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-shaker-does-the-salt-go-in/610262/31 "2012-01-22T14:14:05Z")
Most of the [images](http://www.homedosh.com/plusminuszero-maracas-salt-and-pepper-shaker-by-naoto-fukusawa/) I found using the generic search engine of my choice show the pepper shaker with more holes and the salt with fewer, often only one. In some cases the [distinction](http://www.designsojourn.com/beautiful-vintage-salt-and-pepper-shakers/) was pretty dramatic. (Although that image does not definitively identify which shaker is which.) I did find [exceptions](https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSlcIl_EFB6SlxG5QBC5rK7acGIAFgLTcV78Cb7acK76hdU0rkR), and in many cases it’s [just impossible to tell](http://www.gizmodiva.com/entry_images/1210/29/green-salt-and-pepper-shakers-2.jpg)what intent, if any, the manufacturer had for their product’s use. By looking at the poll results, I’m guessing the [battle](https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRTPlzT4ZQLAeXhzfEGUUO6JbuqOK9kJyS_qzrf_GTURYFIvpoG) is likely to continue. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-shaker-does-the-salt-go-in/610262/32 "2012-01-22T14:24:09Z")
> [@SiXSwordS](#): > > In some cases the [distinction](http://www.designsojourn.com/beautiful-vintage-salt-and-pepper-shakers/) was pretty dramatic. (Although that image does not definitively identify which shaker is which.) Since they’re British, to a Brit I feel the distinction would be blindingly obvious - the one-holer would be the salt. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2012, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-shaker-does-the-salt-go-in/610262/33 "2012-01-22T16:13:28Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > Since they’re British, to a Brit I feel the distinction would be blindingly obvious - the one-holer would be the salt. And to me as an American it is as obvious as which side of the road you should drive on. ---
**Author:** ![SiXSwordS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/49beb7/32.png) [@SiXSwordS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiXSwordS)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2012, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-shaker-does-the-salt-go-in/610262/34 "2012-01-23T14:55:30Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > I feel the distinction would be blindingly obvious - the one-holer would be the salt. Please note that I said: that image does not _ **definitively** _ identify which shaker is which. I tend to agree with you, but it is a opinion poll, and the numbers are still running about 50/50. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2012, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-shaker-does-the-salt-go-in/610262/35 "2012-01-23T15:52:50Z")
while more holes in a shaker is for salt, is the traditional, that is just plain wrong. it is too easy to over salt. if you use ground pepper then you need a lot more than if you use a pepper mill. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2012, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-shaker-does-the-salt-go-in/610262/36 "2012-01-23T16:02:52Z")
I would put salt in the one with fewer holes. I voted first before reading any other responses. I use more pepper than salt. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2012, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-shaker-does-the-salt-go-in/610262/37 "2012-01-23T16:06:57Z")
More holes for salt, otherwise your grandmother doesn’t get to say “careful, it comes out fast!” Every time you eat together. For decades. Even until you’re well into your thirties and are pretty familiar with salting your own food. _Requiescat in pace._ ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2012, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-shaker-does-the-salt-go-in/610262/38 "2012-01-23T16:17:37Z")
> [@SiXSwordS](#): > > Please note that I said: that image does not _ **definitively** _ identify which shaker is which. What I’m saying is that it does definitively identify it _if you’re British_. Which it absolutely does, because they’re British shakers. If you’re American, clearly the jury’s out. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2012, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-shaker-does-the-salt-go-in/610262/39 "2012-01-23T16:22:30Z")
Salt goes in the shaker with fewer holes, because table salt (as opposed to sea salt) comes out quickly and you can easily oversalt your food accidentally with too many holes. Ground pepper requires more shaking and more holes. ---
**Author:** ![SiXSwordS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/49beb7/32.png) [@SiXSwordS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiXSwordS)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2012, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-shaker-does-the-salt-go-in/610262/40 "2012-01-23T17:18:06Z")
> [@jjimm](#): > > \ it absolutely does, because they’re British shakers. I guess I’m missing something as I’m not sure why those are British. Perhaps you meant these. two click rule [Perhaps you meant these.](https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRq5-VueWIjui8EtOlmLlVaaKiQoMqaDt48mvuQQfdsa0FBK4lrOQ) I didn’t notice anything I would have considered a British shaker when I lived there, although that obviously means very little. What I meant by definitively was something like [this](https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTx4L9SkAheoVGcrOuC5b_OUn1P5P5QX_T2fgbg_EwakX7SocrhCg). Again, the salt shaker has only one hole, but I don’t see how any nationality can be assigned because of that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-shaker-does-the-salt-go-in/610262.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/which-shaker-does-the-salt-go-in/610262.md?page=3)