Kitchen storage jars

How storage jars create calm in the kitchen

Do you also have flour in a crumpled bag, pasta in a half-open box, and coffee in a tub that doesn't match anything else? You are not the only one. When dry goods are kept in their original packaging, it is easy to lose track of what you have, and the cupboard starts to look cluttered, even when it is actually organized.

Kitchen storage jars solve two things at once. The airtight wooden lid keeps flour, grains, oatmeal, pasta, rice, coffee, and tea fresh and protected from moisture and insects, and the transparent glass means you can see at a glance what you have and how much is left. At the same time, uniform jars provide a calm, harmonious look, whether they are displayed on the kitchen counter or lined up in the cupboard.

The jars here are available in round and square models with light or dark acacia wooden lids, from small spice jars to large jars holding up to two liters. If you want to start as a set rather than building up glass by glass, you can see the complete storage jar package solutions.

Square or round jars

The choice between square and round is mostly about where the jars will be placed. The square storage jars sit closely together without wasted space between them, making them ideal for a shelf in the cupboard or in a row on the counter. You simply utilize more of the space because there are no curved gaps where nothing can be stored.

The round jars have a softer look and are easy to reach into when you need to scoop out flour or grains with a spoon. Common to both shapes is the wooden lid that seals tightly and the glass that lets you see the contents. If the jars are to be stored together visibly, it provides the most tranquil look to choose the same shape throughout rather than mixing them.

Choose size based on what the jar will hold

The jars here range from small spice jars to square 2000 ml jars, and it is a good idea to consider what each individual jar will be used for before you choose.

The smallest jars of 400 to 500 ml are suitable for things you don't use much of at a time: baking powder, seeds, nuts, bouillon cubes, or a portion of tea. The medium size of around 1000 ml is what most people find most useful, and it easily holds a bag of pasta, rice, or oatmeal. The large 1800 and 2000 ml jars are for the things you buy in large bags and use a lot of, typically flour and sugar, where an entire bag can be poured directly in.

A good tip is to measure the contents of the bags you buy most often against the volume of the jar, so a whole bag fits in one jar. Then you avoid having leftovers in a bag that just end up making a mess.

How the airtight wooden lid keeps dry goods fresh

It is the lid that makes the difference between a jar you use for decoration and a jar that actually extends the shelf life of food. These wooden lids have a tight-fitting silicone ring that keeps air out. This means that flour and grains do not absorb moisture, and flour beetles and other pests cannot get to the goods.

This makes a particular difference for dry goods that otherwise quickly become rancid or powdery: whole grain flour, nuts, oatmeal, and coffee. When oxidation and moisture are kept out, the flavor lasts longer. If you want to read more about how to get started moving your entire kitchen over to jars, we have compiled it in the guide storage jars for dry goods - see the selection and create order.

Cleaning the jars and wooden lids

The glass itself is dishwasher safe, making it easy to clean between different food items. The wooden lid, on the other hand, should be treated with a bit more care. Wood and dishwashers do not go together, as the high heat and long water bath can cause the wood to crack, and the tight seal of the silicone ring can be weakened.

Wipe the lids instead: wipe the wooden lid with a damp cloth and let it air dry so it stays nice and continues to seal tightly. With that small difference in treatment, both jars and lids will last for many years.

Labels provide the finishing touch for an overview

Even though the jar is transparent, it can be hard to tell the difference between wheat flour and spelt flour, or between different light-colored grains. Here, a label makes all the difference. With labels on each jar, you see immediately what is inside, and it also provides that uniform, calm look where all jars speak the same language.

If you use the jars for spices, there are specific labels for spices - create calm and overview in the kitchen today, and for flour, grains, and coffee, you can use labels for dry goods - get order in jars, drawers, and shelves. It is a small measure, but it is often what makes the system last in everyday life, because everyone in the house can see where things belong.

Start with one cupboard at a time

Many people are surprised at how little it actually takes to create calm in the kitchen. You don't need to turn the whole house upside down at once. Start with the cupboard that is the most cluttered—often it's the dry goods cupboard—and take it from there.

Take everything out, wipe down the shelves, and pour the dry goods into jars while you are at it. That way, you have cleaned and created a system with designated spots at the same time. If you want inspiration for the entire process, there is a step-by-step guide in storage jars - how to get calm and an overview in the kitchen. If you are in doubt about anything along the way, we are always ready to help.