Wondering how to measure 1/8 teaspoon when you don’t have a measuring spoon that size? Or any other measurement that you don’t have a measuring spoon for? Here’s how to do it.
When she needed a teaspoon or less of something, my grandmother always “measured” it in the palm of her hand. My mother owned measuring spoons and taught me to use them, but almost never used them herself — again, just measuring in her hand. And over time, I learned their “eyeball estimates.”
I’m sure, when you read some of these, you’re going to think “that can’t be right.” Before writing this, I checked the measures against actual measuring spoons. Sure enough, mom was right.
HOW TO MEASURE WITHOUT A MEASURING SPOON
| 1/8 teaspoon | 1 pinch using your thumb, index and middle finger |
| 1/4 teaspoon | 2 of the above pinches OR cup your hand like you were holding water in it; pour a mound into the center of your hand about the size of a nickel |
| 1/2 teaspoon | a mound about the size of a quarter in your cupped hand |
| 1 teaspoon | a mound about 1/4-inch all around larger than a quarter in your cupped hand OR an “eating” teaspoon about half full |
| 1 tablespoon | fill a soup spoon so it is very slightly rounded up OR turn a 12-ounce pop or beer can upside down (wash it!) – that depression in the bottom holds exactly 1 tablespoon |
Even if you don’t intend to use these regularly, you might want to print this out and keep it in case you lose a measuring spoon and it’s a while before you can buy another one . . . or you are in a metric country!
Some links above (including all Amazon links) are affiliate links, meaning that I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more.
Diane Dashevsky says
Yep! I believe it! I check out that section of the book frequently since my brain stopped working…seriously suffering from CRS 🙁 SOOOOO glad I got the book 🙂
Lynn Kaak says
Hands are easier to wash on a boat!
Vezza says
I agree. Yaaas Queen!!!!!!!
Edward Popka says
Say Amen to about that much
Joakim Muth says
Try mixing resin that way LOL
Jack Kagy says
Well, two hands.
Lamarr Harding says
When you are familiar with ratios, I use one dry measure (rice for example) and rinse the (glass, cup, whatever) adding the two parts water to the pot. The measure is clean and ready to go back where it belongs.
Michael Guelker-Cone says
It works great for general cooking but if you’re baking, you do need to be a little more exacting.