My preferred method of storing leftovers is this:
I love using Mason jars for several reasons:
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Without a dishwasher, I have a hard time getting grease out of plastic storage containers. Glass jars are so easy to clean.
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In the fridge, we can see exactly what’s in the container without having to dig it out of the fridge and take the lid off.
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I can microwave the jars or, I can sit them in a pot of boiling water to heat the contents.
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Mason jars are less expensive than most plastic containers. 12 wide mouth quart jars usually costs less than $10/dozen.
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They’re available in 4 oz., half pint, pint, quart and half gallon sizes.
The white screw on lids that I use are these. I mostly buy wide mouth jars but do have a few regular mouth so I keep plenty of plastic lids in both sizes.
It’s very easy to dump the leftovers into the jar using the funnel that I use for canning. Since I keep plenty of jars around for canning, using a few for leftovers just makes sense.
Peggy says
Thanks for the information about the lids. I have found using plasic containers causes me to loose food. I stack them and forget what is in the containers. Labels don’t stay on and sometimes they fall back behind and I don’t notice they are missing.
I also agree about jars being easier to clean then the plastic containers.
Roberta says
Why didn’t I think of that!!!!! sigh… I do use them for liquid leftover but never thought to use the canning funnel to load other things in the jars. Yup, you know what I’m using now. Boy it takes a long time to learn new things. LOL
Hugs!!!!
Pat says
Seems to make good sense. My problem is with storing the jars…we have limited space here in a house with no basement and no attic and no garage. 🙁 If I can figure it out, though, I will consider doing this, too….for the same reasons you mentioned (although I do have a dishwasher…but I don’t like putting plastic containers in there).
Jean says
What a GREAT idea! Thanks for sharing it.
Sandy K says
We reuse all left over glass jars for storage. We buy a large bag of rice or macaroni and split them into the jars. One jar usually is enough to make macaroni salad. Rice we just measure what we need. Plus when my husband is trying to pickle something. The latest was cauliflower.
Denise in PA says
Well, you certainly make a great case for the mason jars! I’m definitely going to stock up on some of the larger sizes.
Becky I. says
Great idea!! When Bob was in college we used to drink out of the jars my Mom brought me tomatoes in. I never thought of this. You are one smart cookie!
Debbie Rhodes says
I use old large canning jars for rice,pasta,oatmeal etc.. looks cute on the open shelving. I just ordered the jar attachments for my food-saver… can’t wait to get them, I know I will use that a lot.
Judy Whitehead says
So simple, so effective and much more cost efficient that purchasing a bunch of glass storage bowls. I don’t like plastic as even with a dishwasher it’s hard to clean and tends to warp.
Another one of those “Duh! Why didn’t I think of that” moments! LOL
Julie says
I too love jars for storage. When I was a girl, we had a whole basement filled with jars, full of peaches, and apricots, and just everything a person could can, we did…love that!!
Dora, the quilter says
Great idea! I’m forever finding someone has separated the lids from the plastic containers–and I don’t like how they get stained by some foods. I’m switching to jars! Thank you! (Okay, I probably should admit that sometimes I just put leftovers in plastic ziploc bags too.)
lynne quinsland says
we use these for everything too. for the many same reasons that you listed. i especially love them for drinking–use all sizes from the 4 oz up to the quart.
one of the nice benefits of using these for storage is that they take up so little shelf space because they are so vertical. and, they line up so nicely into rows that are even. i store LOTS of stuff in my pantry in these and label the top of the lid so that when they are neatly in their rows on the shelf i can easily see what is in the jars behind the first one.
Barbara says
I use the same jars and lids that you do. I’ve never liked putting my food in plastic.
And…I make my home made mayo right in the wide mouth pint jar with an immersion blender, so no clean up.
Valerie (Scooquilt) says
Besides the purchased lids, lids from peanut butter jars fit nicely on the narrow mouths. Don’t know what fits the wide mouth. Mayonaise?
vickie van dyken says
We to use them to drink from!! I never thought of that!! What a great idea 🙂 Thanks. I can see the pantry looking better with Glass instead of the plastic!!! Now I think I need the canning funnel. Can you get them at a kitchen store,or online??? Bet Fleet and Farm has them, but we don’t have one near us. It’s one of the stores I love to stop at when I go truckin. Thanks for the great tip.
Vivian Oaks says
That really DOES make sense!! Thanks for the suggestion. I’ve got canning jars out the waazoo, so I’m going to make use of them!
Evelyn says
I love this idea, thank you! I hate how tomato products stain the plastic containers and if someone actually microwaves in the plastic container – then it gets weird and ripply – burnt. I tell everyone – don’t microwave plastic because surely it isn’t good for you! So, the glass containers just might kill 2 birds with 1 stone, as the saying goes! Cheers! Evelyn
Sue H says
Oh, crap! Now you’ve shared another great idea that I want to do!!! I hate the plastic containers that “hide” the food. Excellent idea. And I love the screw-on lids!
Kelly Ann says
Super cool idea for leftovers….I think I’m gonna try it…thanks
Libby says
Yes, I use glass jars for storage all the time and especially the small jars for leftovers. Now can we start a campaign to get colored lids? It would make the fridge such a happy place!
Carol says
Have been using glass mason jars for years!!!!! Squares take less space than rounds in the freezer and refrigerator!!! Also the covers from mayo jars work nicely mason jars. I don’t buy storage lids any longer – I save the plastic lids and can use them on the jars!!!! Agree with Judy – plastics are hard to clean and the oil residue never seems to get out of the plastic!!! Mason Jars!!!
Peg says
I’m with you – I *much* prefer glass jars for storage. Have you seen the new “ReCap” lids for Mason jars? They’re coming out with a wide-mouth version soon, but the regular version is wonderful for liquid leftovers (sauce, dressing, gravy, etc.)! I’m not affiliated in any way, just love the product and thought you might also. (http://recapmasonjars.com/)
Dar in MO says
I love this idea and I like Libby’s idea about colored lids. that would make a colorful refrigerator. I didn’t know they sold them separately — will have to get some. Thanks for the reminder. I’ve been using a few since I make up salads in them like you showed us, but I just used the old rings and lids that you can with.
Liz says
When I was cleaning out my kitchen shelves, I put the old plastic containers in a box. I think I only used one of the larger containers in six months, so they are heading out to the garage for use as storage for parts.
I also am converting to mason jars – just wished I bought more when I was looking at them this summer. By the time I decided that I wanted a different size (the half gallon), they were already out of them at one of the local stores. So a hunting I will go. Otherwise, it will be going to Amazon.
Patty says
good idea, food for thought, maybe I’ll make the switch too.
Susan says
Thanks for the link to the lids. I think I’ll like those better than washed, used canning lids! I just ordered six one-gallon sizes from the Bulk Foods Farm, for storing things like the flour and sugar so I don’t have to worry about having a small container that runs out just when I need more. My good friend uses the 2.5 gallon ice cream containers with the gamma lids, but that’s more than I can easily keep n the kitchen.