Mason jar fad

[Rosyrain]

It seems as though each time I open a food or home decorating magazine now, mason jars make the appearance as the container used to store various items. I have always used mason jars to store food and ingredients in my kitchen because they are much cheaper than some of the other storage containers at stores. Mason jars also have the rustic country look that I like. What do you use mason jars for?

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

@Rosyrain
Mason jars?

 

[Morning Glory]

Are they like Kilner jars - the sort you might use for preserves? I had a phase of decanting ingredients into Kilner jars (such as flour, pulses, dried beans) but rapidly realised it was stupid. They look nice on an open shelf but take up too much space in a cupboard. And I used to find that I'd top-up flour or beans in the jars and end up with stuff left in a packet which wouldn't fit in the jar and which I also needed store! Also I found them cumbersome to use especially for flour, as you can't easily shake the flour out.

Now I simple stash the packets, using elastic bands around them or laundry pegs on the top to keep them closed. These packets are all kept inside cupboards. I don't have any open shelves except a spice rack, so I find this system a lot more economical on space and time.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Are they like Kilner jars - the sort you might use for preserves? I had a phase of decanting ingredients into Kilner jars (such as flour, pulses, dried beans) but rapidly realised it was stupid. They look nice on an open shelf but take up too much space in a cupboard. And I used to find that I'd top-up flour or beans in the jars and end up with stuff left in a packet which wouldn't fit in the jar and which I also needed store! Also I found them cumbersome to use especially for flour, as you can't easily shake the flour out.

Now I simple stash the packets, using elastic bands around them or laundry pegs on the top to keep them closed. These packets are all kept inside cupboards. I don't have any open shelves except a spice rack, so I find this system a lot more economical on space and time.

I think they are not the airtight ones, but glass with a screw lid. But I'm not sure, hence me also asking.
I use the kilner jars and also find that problem. But for flour, I buy in larger bags so have to store it anyhow. I use the Lakeland square storage boxes now with a label of what is in them. They are really good because they are stackable, and you can colour coordinate the lids to an extent, but the top opening is that same size as the rest of the container and they work! I can get far more in the cupboard and don't have the problem of part used bags falling off the shelf constantly!

 

[Morning Glory]

But for flour, I buy in larger bags so have to store it anyhow. I use the Lakeland square storage boxes now with a label of what is in them. They are really good because they are stackable, and you can colour coordinate the lids to an extent, but the top opening is that same size as the rest of the container and they work! I can get far more in the cupboard and don't have the problem of part used bags falling off the shelf constantly!

That sounds like a good system for flour. Can you post a link to the particular Lakeland boxes, please?

 

[Berties]

very much in vogue at the moment ,we did a wedding where they wrapped lace around the jar tied off with hemp twine and filled the jar with wild flowers for table displays ,and there seems to be a load of jug style jars used as fancy glasses for cocktails,a bit chunky for my tastes!
we have the big kilner jars for the bed and breakfast cereals ,we replace the seals regulary

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

That sounds like a good system for flour. Can you post a link to the particular Lakeland boxes, please?

I'm not sure anything other than the really large one will work for flour, flour is the only thing I have kept in kilner jars (very large ones from IKEA). Everything else is in these
www.lakeland.co.uk/p15648/Stack-a-Boxes basically using the 3 square ones which are different heights. I hadn't seen the 2.5l version which may well be new. I keep beans, pulses, nuts and things like shredded coconut in them as well as using them in the freezer.
I do also have 10 Kilner bottle for when I make cordials. I'm hoping to be able to do elderflower and honeysuckle again this year. I may take a rain check on nettle, and sadly have missed the time frame for dandelion.

 

[Morning Glory]

I'm not sure anything other than the really large one will work for flour, flour is the only thing I have kept in kilner jars (very large ones from IKEA). Everything else is in these
www.lakeland.co.uk/p15648/Stack-a-Boxes basically using the 3 square ones which are different heights. I hadn't seen the 2.5l version which may well be new. I keep beans, pulses, nuts and things like shredded coconut in them as well as using them in the freezer.
I do also have 10 Kilner bottle for when I make cordials. I'm hoping to be able to do elderflower and honeysuckle again this year. I may take a rain check on nettle, and sadly have missed the time frame for dandelion.

Thanks, I'll check out the link. Another storage solution which I use is cupboard storage baskets http://www.lakeland.co.uk/24415/Caddy-Stack-Storage-Caddy. I have some very similar to this which I bought in Aldi for, literally, a fraction of Lakeland's price! They fit perfectly into a standard kitchen cupboard (three baskets next to each other) and solve the problem of things getting lost at the backs of cupboards. You just lift out the basket by the front handle. I keep all sorts in them: Little sachets and packets (like yeast packets) , rice, pulses, jarred pickles and chutney, cereal bars , you name it. They really have transformed my kitchen cupboards into super-organised spaces. I label the fonts of the baskets with their contents. I've got nine, altogether.

 

[Pat]

When I was a kid we drank our juice and lemonade from mason jars and now they are back in style.

 

[Rosyrain]

When I was a kid we drank our juice and lemonade from mason jars and now they are back in style.

AH yes, I have seen lots of pictures of people drinking lemonade out of these jars, and it is really a cute idea. They even make them with handles now so that you can drink out of them like you were drinking from any other mug. I really like mason jars because they are sturday and it takes a lot to break them. I can be kinda clumsy in the kitchen at times and drop things.

 

[cupcakechef]

I think they look cute for a number of crafts, I have seen them used to plant little succulents in, or as vases wrapped in burlap or twine for that rustic farmhouse style look which I think is cute. I've also seen them painted in chalk paint and then distressed a bit to either use as vases or storage for small things, like a pen holder. I think a lot of cafes in my local area also are into it, because they serve drinks and smoothies and all manner of things in them.

I actually think they'd be super cute for layered desserts. Things like trifle, for instance, so you can see all the layers and their colors/textures prettily in a jar like a piece of art you can eat!

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

@morning glory these are the Lakeland and the Kilner jars in my cupboards.

I took out a layer so you could see behind where it is more organised! But as you probably spotted the top shelf still needs a little sorting out! I haven't really come across anything of the right size for those packets yet!

 

[Amanda]

One really awesome thing I learned from my grandmother is to store cut onions in a mason jar in the fridge. The odors cannot penetrate the glass, and so your fridge does not smell like onions. My grandmother used the same wide mouth jar for years, and it works like a charm!

 

[Diane Lane]

I've seen quite a few table decorations made with mason jars, as well as chandeliers and other lighting, such as sconces. I like some of them, particularly the ones with blue jars. There are lots of craft ideas using mason jars on Pinterest, of course.

 

[CoolCat]

I think they are not the airtight ones, but glass with a screw lid. But I'm not sure, hence me also asking.
I use the kilner jars and also find that problem. But for flour, I buy in larger bags so have to store it anyhow. I use the Lakeland square storage boxes now with a label of what is in them. They are really good because they are stackable, and you can colour coordinate the lids to an extent, but the top opening is that same size as the rest of the container and they work! I can get far more in the cupboard and don't have the problem of part used bags falling off the shelf constantly!

I'm not seeing an explicit reply to this, so I'll take it. Mason jars, also known as ball jars, are the jars you would use for canning or preserving.

You can buy them at most grocery stores these days, either with multi-part lids designed for canning, simple screw-on lids for short term food storage, spouted lids for beverages, handles on the side for using as a drinking glass, etc. They are popular for drinking out of as well as packing things like salads:

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

The popularity stems from a few things:

• They're cheap
• They're quaint, and lend an air of nostalgia
• They can be microwaved, heated on the stove in a double broiler, placed in the dishwasher, and refrigerated all without damaging the jar or leeching chemicals into your food
• They don't hold onto flavors
• They don't stain
• They're pretty sturdy
• They can be reused pretty much forever

The only real downsides are that they are heavy and you need to be careful about changing the temperature too quickly. (Don't pull them hot out of the dishwasher and immediately load them up and place them in the fridge.)