Yes, I admit it. I have a crazy addiction to mason jars. I think it’s three fold. First, they are affordable storage options. Secondly, they’re pretty tough. Even though they’re glass, I’ve only broke one, and that was while canning. Third, they remind me of yesteryear, of a simpler life.
I use mason jars for everything. Literally. Flour, Sugar, Salt, Spices, Noodles, Beans, Chocolate chips, Cocoa powder. If it will fit through the mouth of a mason jar, it goes into one. I even put my maple syrup recently into an oil jar with the special pour spout. It works so much better and allows the kids to pour their own syrup (without pouring too much). I think the only thing I haven’t transferred is my baking powder because that is already in a very practical tin.
As much as I talk about my mason jars, I thought I should show you my pantry. It’s been a work in progress to transfer everything from the plastic baggies things come in to jars. I still have a little bit to go, but I didn’t want to spend $300 on jars at once, I’ve been doing it a little bit at a time over the last several months.
Left to right: Pine nuts, Bay leaves (anyone need some – who knew 1 lb of bay leaves would fill four quart jars……..and I’ve already shared a lot of them!!), Paprika, Dried Fruit (in the empty jar with the other box peeking through)
Left to Right: Whole wheat pasta (1 gallon jar from Walmart), Panko crumbs, Gluten (for making bread)
These two pictures are inside my drawers. I love my big deep drawers my husband insisted on building. They are awesome!!! I don’t put labels on the front of the jars, I just write on the lid what it is (if it’s really obvious, I don’t always do that because I know, but I realized recently that the something tragic could happen and no one else in the family would know dried peppers from turbinado sugar…..better get this task finished up).
Spices! This was how my addiction began. I buy my spices in bulk and they come in little plastic baggies. I had to do something. This works great! One tip I have found though is with these little jars, you need to buy the aftermarket white lids to put on them. The silver tone rings don’t stack well and they were constantly falling out of my cabinet and hitting me (yet none broke, go mason jars!) However, the white lids are not air tight.
On a practical note though, I had previously purchased some Lock ‘n Lock square containers. While I do still really like them (although, crazy me is hesitant of the plastic, but that could be all in my head), I couldn’t buy them at Walmart anymore. Even when I could, they were $6 each for the size of the 2 quart mason jar. I can buy 6 2 qt mason jars for $10.90, so they are essentially 1/3 of the price. And when factored in that I would have to pay for shipping as well to purchase more Lock ‘n Lock, it made the decision easy.
If you have any questions, I’m glad to answer (and enable).
4 comments:
Thanks for sharing! What an awesome, practical, yet attractive storage solution.
I share the same love as you do for jars! I use them for just about everything!
Wow that is awesome! My hubby might like some of those, but right now our kitchen isn't big enough for all these. He's the cook in the relationship. Maybe when we get a house.
PS: Do you have a Menards by you? They sell the Mason Jars in packs of 6 there.
Love love love your mason Jars! It reminds me of my grandmother's pantry! I might just have to do this! Thanks for sharing, you are always full of great ideas!
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