HOW BIG IS A BARREL?

A confusing unit of measure is a barrel. A barrel's capacity is determined often by who uses the term, or what it contains.

For example:

• 1 barrel (bbl) of petroleum or related products = 42 gallons.

• 1 barrel of Portland cement is 376 pounds.

• 1 barrel of flour - 196 pounds.

• 1 barrel of pork or fish - 200 pounds.

• 1 barrel of (US) dry measure is 3.29122 bushels or 4.2104 cubic feet.

• A barrel may be called a "drum", but a drum usually holds 55 gallons!

• 1 barrel going over Niagara Falls was big enough to carry a man.