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 I need help! How to organize SPICES!! argh..
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corrabelle
True Blue Farmgirl

71 Posts

Corrabelle
Hamilton, Morrowville ontario, Kansas
71 Posts

Posted - Aug 24 2010 :  09:24:21 AM  Show Profile
So, here's the problem. When we buy spices here, they don't come in tins/shakers. They only come in zip/lock bags.
The comercially available spice racks with little jars are just too small to hold everything in the bag, so I'd be refilling them every other day and still have to be storing the remainder of what wouldn't fit in the jar.
(and there are never enough in them in a set to hold all the different spices. 12 jars just won't do it...)
Does anyone else have a storage system that works? Tubberware would, but they aren't nearly as easily accessable when cooking.

I need help. A cupboard full of ziplocks is not practical:(
I'd love to hear what other people have used to hold their spice stash!

Corrabelle
http://themayberrysparrow.com
A Kansas gal living in Ontario. Sigh.

corrabelle
True Blue Farmgirl

71 Posts

Corrabelle
Hamilton, Morrowville ontario, Kansas
71 Posts

Posted - Aug 24 2010 :  09:39:10 AM  Show Profile
I actually really like this idea....I'd need somewhere to stick them though. (My fridge is not that close to the stove! http://apartmenthomesteader.blogspot.com/2010/05/magnetic-spice-organizers.html

Corrabelle
http://themayberrysparrow.com
A Kansas gal living in Ontario. Sigh.

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MerryHeartSister
True Blue Farmgirl

158 Posts

Christy
Tuscaloosa Alabama
USA
158 Posts

Posted - Aug 24 2010 :  10:13:19 AM  Show Profile
I love mason jars. I buy big bags as well. Mason jars work well and I can print pretty labels to go on the jars.

Farmgirl #1951
Home is a gift that should be opened every day.
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emsmommy5
True Blue Farmgirl

1547 Posts

Angie
Buckley WA
USA
1547 Posts

Posted - Aug 24 2010 :  10:19:43 AM  Show Profile
I buy spices in bulk a pound at the time. Lately I have been putting some of it in canning jars and vacuum sealing those to put in the pantry for later.

Years ago I bought a bunch of matching plastic spice containers, but now I just recycle random size glass jars from other food items and put spices in those. I like the glass jars much better than the plastic containers and am slowly switching everthing over from plastic. I also make cutesy little labels for my mismatched jars. =)

Do what you love, love what you do.
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PilgrimSoul
True Blue Farmgirl

61 Posts

Jessie
NJ
USA
61 Posts

Posted - Aug 24 2010 :  11:46:44 AM  Show Profile
I either use Mason jars or smaller jars that I bought from here: http://www.specialtybottle.com/
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urban chickie
True Blue Farmgirl

734 Posts

Catherine
Niles IL
USA
734 Posts

Posted - Aug 24 2010 :  4:13:49 PM  Show Profile
I also get spice in bulk bigger than fits in my spice jars. I just leave it in the ziplock bag it comes in, and refill the smaller jars as needed. Depending on the spice and how often I use it, I have jars that hold half an ounce up to several half pint jars. That just works easier for me. All the extra bags, I wrap in newspaper to help protect the scents and put in a huge tin.

Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
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vintagejenta
True Blue Farmgirl

83 Posts

Sarah
Walden NY
USA
83 Posts

Posted - Aug 29 2010 :  6:01:21 PM  Show Profile
I use mason jars and I have kitchen drawers deep enough that I can lay them on their sides. So I can always see what's in them. I do the exact same thing with my baking supplies - it's easier to find those dried apricots or walnuts in those nice clear glass wide-mouth pint jars!

---------
http://citygirlcountryfood.wordpress.com
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blackantsnpeonys
True Blue Farmgirl

151 Posts

Denise
Hinckley Illinois
USA
151 Posts

Posted - Sep 05 2010 :  10:37:25 PM  Show Profile
I too buy spices in bulk. I save jelly jars which are a nice size and all the same size. Put a label on them and they work great. Have tried the round several tierd things and they are two small. To bed organized I put them on a lazy susan in alphabetical order. This saves me time in the kitchen.

Appreciate the little things, for they are not really that little.
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Calicogirl
True Blue Farmgirl

5216 Posts

Sharon
Bruce Crossing Michigan
USA
5216 Posts

Posted - Sep 06 2010 :  04:54:09 AM  Show Profile
I also use Mason Jars. I buy in bulk so I have many quart size jars filled with spices and herbs. The top shelf in my pantry is the "spice" shelf and I have them organized so that the most frequently used spices are in front.

I also have some pulled from that shelf and store them with my baking supplies such as: Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger, Allspice and Clove. In my kitchen I do have smaller jars (8 ounce) that I keep frequently used herbs and spices in.

~Sharon

By His Grace, For His Glory

http://merryheartjournal.blogspot.com/

Edited by - Calicogirl on Sep 07 2010 06:11:50 AM
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Homekeepn
Farmgirl in Training

42 Posts

Cathy
West Gardiner Maine
USA
42 Posts

Posted - Sep 06 2010 :  12:36:55 PM  Show Profile
Mason jars here too. I mostly like the look of them and they are all uniform.

---Cathy---
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solilly
True Blue Farmgirl

726 Posts

Lillian
Williamsburg Virginia
USA
726 Posts

Posted - Sep 06 2010 :  12:47:05 PM  Show Profile  Click to see solilly's MSN Messenger address  Send solilly a Yahoo! Message
Corrabella looks like the vote is in get canning jars and see how you can work them in your pantry area. Good luck. Lilly

learning the life I always wanted.
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Especially For You
True Blue Farmgirl

541 Posts

Tina
Watkinsville GA
541 Posts

Posted - Sep 07 2010 :  05:41:35 AM  Show Profile
Good Morning Lafies~ Where do you buy your spices in bulk?

Thanks,
Tina Farmgirl#455
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Calicogirl
True Blue Farmgirl

5216 Posts

Sharon
Bruce Crossing Michigan
USA
5216 Posts

Posted - Sep 07 2010 :  06:18:04 AM  Show Profile
Good Morning Tina :)

Here are a couple of places that I buy from. We no longer have a food co-op in our area so I purchase from here:

http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/

http://sfherb.com/

http://www.azurestandard.com/shop/category

It really depends who has what I am looking for and if I need anything else the site has to offer. I do really love Mountain Rose though :)

~Sharon

By His Grace, For His Glory

http://merryheartjournal.blogspot.com/
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Especially For You
True Blue Farmgirl

541 Posts

Tina
Watkinsville GA
541 Posts

Posted - Sep 07 2010 :  06:56:57 AM  Show Profile
Thanks Sharon!! I hope you have a good day.

Blessing,
Tina
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Bevb
True Blue Farmgirl

81 Posts

Bev
Moscow ID
USA
81 Posts

Posted - Sep 07 2010 :  07:07:04 AM  Show Profile
I keep my spices in artichoke heart jars. Use the artichoke hearts in salads, wash & keep the jars. They are just the right size for me.

Good luck!
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Calicogirl
True Blue Farmgirl

5216 Posts

Sharon
Bruce Crossing Michigan
USA
5216 Posts

Posted - Sep 07 2010 :  08:04:45 AM  Show Profile
Oh, I also wanted to add,

Consider the type of spice or herb you want to buy in bulk. I usually buy 'by the pound' and totally wasn't thinking when ordering Bay Leaves. Imagine my surprise when a pillow sized bag full of Bay Leaves was in the box! Does anyone need any Bay Leaves? :)

~Sharon

By His Grace, For His Glory

http://merryheartjournal.blogspot.com/

Edited by - Calicogirl on Sep 07 2010 10:54:31 AM
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urban chickie
True Blue Farmgirl

734 Posts

Catherine
Niles IL
USA
734 Posts

Posted - Sep 07 2010 :  08:50:17 AM  Show Profile
LOL - yes, some things take up more space than others. Also think how fast you can use any one spice or herb, as the shelf life varies. I am sooooo lucky in that I have a tip top spice house relatively locally, that sells in smaller quantities, but for those who don't, try getting friends to order with you. The fresher the better and you WILL notice the difference in your cooking. Most shouldn't be older than a year for best taste.

Catherine
Farmgirl #1370
City Girl By Birth,
Suburbanite By Location,
Farmgirl at Heart
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