- Amanda
Last fall, I wrote about how I organize my spice drawers. Many of you contributed your own methods for storing spices, and weighed in on my approach. Some rightfully pointed out that plastic containers were not the ideal receptacle. Fair enough. It took me 6 months but I got rid of them. Thought you’d like to see my new spice tins! Yes, their tops are clear plastic, but this allows me to see what’s inside, and their bases are lightweight tin.
I bought them at www.specialtybottle.com
35 Comments on Spice Drawer Makeover:
Beautiful tins! I keep my most "changeable" spices in the fridge (Aleppo and Cayenne peppers, chile powder, sesame seeds). Helps to keep the color and flavor. But you have quicker turnover than I do!
Amanda is a co-founder of Food52.
added 10 months agoThat's smart. Would love to have a spice fridge!
Baby food jars..........easy to open, see right through them, no leeching of chemicals like plastic, and won't dent like thin tin does.
Amanda is a co-founder of Food52.
added about 1 year agogood idea.
I have recently converted my spices to glass and stainless containers, similar to these, but this is the first time I have seen ones with clear tops. I LOVE the idea of being able to see the contents within! Thanks for the link to the shop!
Amanda is a co-founder of Food52.
added about 1 year agoYou're welcome!
I use similar containers, with magnets on the bottom, since I have like zero drawer space and a sparse amount of metal cabinets, I just pop them up on the cabinet faces, just have to remember not to slam the cabinet doors when having a temper tantrum ; )
Amanda is a co-founder of Food52.
added about 1 year agoCool idea -- but not sure I could live without temper tantrums!
What size tins did you order? Thanks
Amanda is a co-founder of Food52.
added about 1 year agoMostly 4 and 8 ounce containers, with a few 16 ounce ones for larger spices. I also bought the large tea tins for things like chilies.
Amanda, Did you get the containers marked "clear top cover" or "twist top tin"? I ordered some square ones from here months ago that are very difficult to open; maybe the twist top is key?
Amanda is a co-founder of Food52.
added about 1 year agoClear top cover -- and mine are easy to open. But I also bought a twist top one (to see) and it opens and closes well.
Amanda,
How easily do the lids come off these tins?
Thanks, Audrey
Amanda is a co-founder of Food52.
added about 1 year agoVery easily.
I'm missing your grains of paradise amanda :-) - I love the tins!
Amanda is a co-founder of Food52.
added about 1 year agoThey're in there somewhere. Thanks!
About six months ago, I switched all of my spices to plastic jars after seeing Amanda's photo and post. I have way too many of these little plastic jars now, but will eventually switch to the tin ones, although they look like they take up more space. I only have one, narrow drawer to give up to spice storage.
Amanda is a co-founder of Food52.
added about 1 year agoSo sorry Phyllis! But you know what? I saved all my plastic containers for leftovers and such. They also work well for things like screws, nails, picture hooks, etc.
Amanda,
Is it easy to remove the lids. I have some little tins that are difficult to open.
My spices are currently in plastic (also from the Dr's office), labeled, and arranged alpahbetically in two drawers. I love it, but have thought about switching to tin if the lids come off easily.
Thanks, Audrey
Amanda is a co-founder of Food52.
added about 1 year agoI was reluctant to switch to tins for the same reason, but in fact these tops are really easy to remove (some are a little too easy).
You could cover the writing with clear tape to protect it.
Alternately, most label makers have clear tapes available. I use white labels because they're easier to read in my dark cabinets, but I think if I had my spices in a drawer, the clear would look nicer.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marriedwithdinner/465091091/
MWD, I really like your system . . . What label maker do you use? I need one! I don't have enough drawer space to accomodate a set-up like Amanda's, so I have a small, two-story Lazy Susan in a cabinet at arm's reach for seasonings, herbs and spices I use all the time. The rest are in my pantry, a few steps away. I estimate that Amanda's spice drawers would comprise more than 50% of the drawer space I have, total, in my tiny "maid's kitchen." Fortunately, I have a companion "butler's pantry" with a stand-up work table, so I can't complain.
AJ, have you seen this? Like you, I don't have a free drawer available, so need to use my cabinets. I wanted room for as many spices as possible. I bought one of these, along with a bunch of miniature spice jars, so am able to stack 2 in every space. Voila! 54 spices, organized alphabetically in a small corner of my cabinet:
http://www.amazon.com/Spice-Stack-Super-Spicestack-Bottle/dp/B002N3NTVY
A lovely solution, and so pretty, too! My spices are over my stove -- the ultimate no-no, and they are too high for me to reach on my own, so I either need a chair or my husband to nab them for me. And I have no fabulous containers. Sigh.
Amanda is a co-founder of Food52.
added about 1 year agoThank you -- someone emailed me a photo of a magnetic wall they had with all of their spice jars attached to it. Maybe that approach is in your future?
These are really beautiful! But my fear of Alzheimer's (which was my mom's fate) keeps me away from anything aluminum.
Amanda is a co-founder of Food52.
added about 1 year agoOh no -- I didn't even think of that.
What a great web site. This is even better than The Container Store!!! I want one of everything on here.
Amanda is a co-founder of Food52.
added about 1 year agoThanks!
If I redo my spices, will you come write all the labels? Your handwriting is so tidy. What pen do you use to keep it from smearing?
Amanda is a co-founder of Food52.
added about 1 year agoI used a wet erase marker with a sharp tip -- so I can just wipe them off and redo if they get smudgy. It may also help that I constantly remind people "Don't smudge the writing!" when they use the spices. They love that....
Another great idea is to buy clear labels at the office supply store, and find a font that you really like....I would choose Papyrus or Enviro or Lucida Handwriting and bold the text. Once you print the labels, just let them sit to set up and dry. Although I have decent hand writing, I would prefer the labels to be uniform. Just a thought for ya :)
This is very motovating - I need to go through my spices and get rid of some old stuff - these tins will save everything from ending up smelling like Vietnamese cinnamon too ... I think I will order some - thanks for this!!
Amanda is a co-founder of Food52.
added about 1 year agoWhen we went through my spices, transferring them from plastic container to tin, it was amazing to see the age difference of some of the spices. I had turmeric in three different colors (it gets darker as it ages).
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