Pantry problems? Try using glass jars to store your dry goods. Which, in a week dominated by Gen-Z owning Millennials for our very millennial traits, it seems a little risky. I mean, what could be more millennial than talking about using glass jars in your pantry? But here I am. This was a plan I’ve had a for a while now. I’ve always hated packaging and half-opened things give me the creeps since I found mouse poo in a flour bag once (gag). Tupperware was good, but now that mine is getting old, I wanted something fresh. A new idea that was still durable and easy to maintain.

 

Why am I using glass jars?

 

The final decision was made when I stocked up on winter soup supplies. There were packages and packages of lentils, soup mixes and dried split peas. They made piles on the shelves and something told me they were taking up way more room than they would if I moved them over to glass jars. An entire shelf had been taking over by them and they would never stack up properly. Not to mention that I’d purchased the same items twice because I had no idea what I had. Add those reasons to the ones I mentioned at the beginning, and let’s just say it was time.

 

Getting the glass jars!

 

I only had one old coffee jar I could use, after recently transferring the coffee into its own canister. Plus some old glass jars I’ve had since we started preparing juices and smoothies in advance. The lids on some had started to develop rust though, so I’m on the hunt to replace the lids when I can. With the need for jars increasing, I went hunting for more! I found some in Kmart, some at my local Coles but in the end, I purchased them from canning/farmers supply stores on eBay.

With the one coffee jar, six 500ml and twelve 1L (1000ml) wide mouth jars, I started phase one. Along the way, I found that the pasta would have been better off with a 2L jar so I’ve put them on my list. It may seem excessive to buy all these jars, but if you or a friend go through more coffee jars you could collect them. Have I mentioned I’m impatient? Because I am, and so I shop instead.

 

 

As you can see, we’re using the jars predominately for pantry staples like lentils, couscous, pasta and dried goods. But we also found them a great way to store the snack items we keep around like nuts, dried apricots and trail mix. This makes it easier for Kel to see what he’s got when packing his lunch and we aren’t dealing with an overstuffed shelf filled with rapidly going stale packages of nuts.

 

It’s been a great solution for our pantry.

 

Actually, in general, it’s been very motivating to be able to see all that goodness on the shelf there. Last week it was pea and ham soup. this week I’m pulling out that Italian Soup Blend (the colourful one) and will use it as a base for a minestrone, I think.

When I was putting the foods into the jars, I cut off the label with cooking instructions and use by dates to put them in the jar later. Just make sure you wash and dry them WELL so you’re not introducing germs or damp to your jar. Both I was wanted against on Pinterest. Both sound equally disgusting. Haha. I recently picked up a label maker, so I’m going to put use by dates on the bottom of the jar and ditch the package as we get more used to what’s in them and how we use it. Would highly recommend.

 

That’s why this post is here, actually.

 

For no other reason than I thought it might come in handy. Especially for those who shop at bulk bill stores or are looking to reduce waste. We have a health food store locally that will allow you to bring your own (clean! always important) jars for filling with things like honey, peanut butter and all the stock from their bulk food bins. I’m sure you do too, and doesn’t that just sound like a better, more interactive idea then all that plastic packaging?

 

 

keen to use glass jars in your pantry? please consider sharing!