What Do You Use for Spice Jars?
Posted by humboldt_honey on Jan 06, 2008 · Member since Feb 2007 · 12529 posts
I've noticed that some of my spicier spices make the bulk bin plastic bags that they're in tacky. This mostly happens with my orange and red spices. I guess that means there's some sort of interaction happening - gross! So, I'm planning on getting glass jars to store my spices. I buy smaller quantities, so I'm thinking about ordering a slew of these 2 oz Straight Jar w/ Black Lid Salve Jars. I've thought about amber glass but the equivalent jar is 1.7 oz which might be just too small.
What do you use to store your spices?
I would be afraid that a fridge may radiate too much warmth for the delicate spices. As they are supposed to be kept cool and dark. Of course, I store mine over the stove so that probably isnt very cool.
I also know that you can buy flat 'paintable' magnets at the craft store that you could say, mount on a board or to the wall under a cabinet or near the stove.
*ahem*
I have started saving any and all small glass jars from groceries (like artichoke hearts, molasses, etc)....then washing/drying thoroughly before filling them up with spices from the bulk section of my grocery store. I just use masking tape and a marker to write the tare weight (weight of container before filling), and that is subtracted from the overall weight by the cashier. Then I use the tape and marker to label what it is when I get home.
...It's kind of neat having a bunch of mismatched jars in my cupboard, I think it adds character to my spice storage. ;)
as a lightweight jar alternative, I've begun using old prescription pill bottles (sans pills, of course) to store spices.
That's exactly what I do carrotwench. Luckily, I really don't buy that many packaged foods, or would have glass/plastic containers everywhere. But yeah, I do like the character of different jars. I love displaying dried beans and grains on the counter that way.
I would love it if there was a bulk spice section in my local grocery store. All my spices are in the containers they came home in. I'm thinking about making the hour and a half trip to the Penzy's (sp?) store.
Mirrya, I don't actually know exactly how much shipping is, but it seems to me that you would actually save money if you paid S&H instead of gas money. Their website is supa fabulous.
Mirrya, I don't actually know exactly how much shipping is, but it seems to me that you would actually save money if you paid S&H instead of gas money. Their website is supa fabulous.
Oh believe me...I won't make the trip just for spices. I've been saving up a list of things I need and will do it all in one trip. I'm going with my mom because she needs to go to several places too. I shop online all the time.
The host of my favorite cooking show uses test tubes. They are tall and skinny so you can label them down the side and put them all in a small vase on your counter top.
Hi, TQ - welcome. How easily does she measure things? It seems like it would be hard get the excess back in the tube.
My spice jar order came in. I ordered 50 jars and filled all but 4.
My spice jar order came in. I ordered 50 jars and filled all but 4.
They are lovely. Think I might have to order some! Thanks for the link near the beginning of this thread!
Di
Will all places w/ bulk spices do the tare weight thing? I thought about buying spices in bulk, but I didn't want to put them in baggies and them dump them into containers and make a huge mess. I would totally start buying in bulk if I could bring my own containers.
They are lovely. Think I might have to order some! Thanks for the link near the beginning of this thread!
The case is 120 jars, but they come in smaller boxes of 24. I ordered 50 and two jars were wrapped separately in the shipping box. It item is "SS2."
Me too. Are they wide enough to dip a tablespoon into them?
They are about 2 inches by 2 inches. I have long, rectangular measuring spoons and they'll fit. I took the picture with the teaspoon size.
Will all places w/ bulk spices do the tare weight thing? I thought about buying spices in bulk, but I didn't want to put them in baggies and them dump them into containers and make a huge mess. I would totally start buying in bulk if I could bring my own containers.
I imagine what I'll start doing is using the bulk baggies at the store and then rinse and dry them for reuse.
My spice jar order came in. I ordered 50 jars and filled all but 4.
Forgot to ask. Did you get the 2 ounce or 4 ounce?
Thanks
Di
They're the 2 ounce jars.
All this talk about what people use for spice jars got me all excited (I lead such a "small" life). Bookpapa is the Condiment King so he has multiple jam/jelly jars (among many other condiments) going at one time. Recently he finished up two jam jars that happened to be faceted (8-sided) and I have used them for onion powder and garlic powder. Unfortunately, I don't have easy access to bulk herbs/spices, except in the re-packaged form, so I cannot control how much I buy. One of the flatter packages (plastic boxes) exactly fills up one of these jars. I really like these jars because they are large AND slightly decorative. I'm the happy owner of a tape-type labeler so I created labels with the words in boxes. Looks nice, even if I do say so myself. Bookpapa has two more partially empty jars in the fridge and one he hasn't opened in the pantry. I'm still contemplating what I'll put in them.
I also have a smaller pickle jar that is sort of decorative (even if it says Vlasic on the lid) so I used it for the chili powder I bought at the co-op in Boston back in November. It's cute, too. Now bookpapa and I are looking at his condiments and possible future purchases of condiments not just with the original contents in mind but also what the container is like and if it is herb/spice worthy.
I also have a smaller pickle jar that is sort of decorative (even if it says Vlasic on the lid) so I used it for the chili powder I bought at the co-op in Boston back in November. It's cute, too. Now bookpapa and I are looking at his condiments and possible future purchases of condiments not just with the original contents in mind but also what the container is like and if it is herb/spice worthy.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who does this. When faced with 2 different brands of a condiment or whatever, my hand goes out to the most pleasing jar... :-[
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