- 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.
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I bought them at www.specialtybottle.com
A New Way to Dinner, co-authored by Food52's founders Amanda Hesser and Merrill Stubbs, is an indispensable playbook for stress-free meal-planning (hint: cook foundational dishes on the weekend and mix and match ‘em through the week).
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38 Comments
AntoniaJames
November 11, 2017
Amanda, 7+ years later, are you still happy with these tins, and this system? Would you buy them again? Thank you. ;o)
Treebird
November 13, 2016
Hi, Amanda. I ordered a couple dozen tins with the transparent tops, from your source. But they are not air tight. Does this make your spices go stale faster? Does it bother you at all?
Catotales
April 8, 2015
Wow for years I have wanted to do this, and had purchased a set of these off Amazon, but thanks to your post I cancelled that and went to specialty bottle for twice as many clear top tins at about 3/4 of the Amazon cost and they will be here sooner., I am going to put magnets on the bottom and stick them to the side of the fridge and I ordered round clear spice name labels for the tops too for 7.00 at amazon. I can't wait to get my hands on them, no more spice jars falling out of the cupboard, that I am sure a man designed!!
Liren B.
July 21, 2010
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!
Aliwaks
July 20, 2010
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 ; )
lbrussell
July 19, 2010
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 H.
July 30, 2010
Clear top cover -- and mine are easy to open. But I also bought a twist top one (to see) and it opens and closes well.
phyllis
July 19, 2010
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 H.
July 19, 2010
So 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.
hennef7
July 19, 2010
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
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 H.
July 19, 2010
I 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).
MarriedWithDinner
July 19, 2010
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/
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/
AntoniaJames
July 19, 2010
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.
Blissful B.
July 9, 2011
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
http://www.amazon.com/Spice-Stack-Super-Spicestack-Bottle/dp/B002N3NTVY
mariaraynal
July 19, 2010
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 H.
July 19, 2010
Thank 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?
MrsWheelbarrow
July 19, 2010
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 H.
July 19, 2010
I 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....
chick4urban
July 26, 2010
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 :)
aargersi
July 19, 2010
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 H.
July 19, 2010
When 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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