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130 Comments
Cathy
July 3, 2015
Whenever I make a big batch of soup (chicken noodle and potato leek are my favorites), I use Mason jars to jar up some extra portions. When friends are sick, I stop by and bring them some "get well" soup! It's a fun pick-me-upper gift for friends to have on hand, homemade and comforting. Not to mention adorable in the jars.
Carole
January 25, 2015
I store dried herbs and spices in mason jars, They make greats containers for leftovers, to can with and to freeze with. Also to drink ice tea out of on a hot summer day.
Letha S.
January 10, 2015
Love mason jars. I use them for canning to storing in the refrig. They are just the must have kitchen utensil
Linda L.
November 24, 2014
I use the 'Good Old' Mason jars for storing dried foods such as Chocolate chips, breadcrumbs, sultanas etc ... And I love the way they look on the pantry shelves :)
MargaretAnnJoan
October 12, 2014
My oldest canning jar (1920's) from my grandmother has a zinc/ceramic lined lid and markings: ATLAS STRONG SHOULDER MASON on the side; and on the bottom: the Hazel-Atlas logo and "B-21-G". I use it to store my most expensive ingredient - pine nuts. Am sure my grandma (German cooking heritage) never cooked with them; but I think of her every time I see the jar on my shelf.
Mandie
August 1, 2014
I use them for just about everything! I have some I made into lanterns for my front porch!
Tatiana
August 1, 2014
What don't I use them for? Food stuff stored and consumed, home-made beauty products, plants, crafts...
Colleen M.
July 3, 2014
I have been slowly switching all of my kitchen storage over to Mason jars. They hold pasta, rice, sugar, coffee, tea, cat food, etc!
Mara
July 3, 2014
I use mason jars to package my own dry soup mix that I stow away for rainy days or as gifts for my friends. I may layer some split peas, different colored lentils, some dried veggies, some small pasta, dried herbs and soup base. Just throw the contents of the jar in the pot, add water and some spices.
Sherry L.
July 2, 2014
I use them for everything! I used them for my wedding for drinking glasses, flowers, and candles. I also make layered desserts in for the summer. [email protected]
drlbennett
July 2, 2014
I use the tiny 4 oz ones for storing breast milk--avoids all of the concerns about plastics, and they're relatively inexpensive!
Mindy M.
July 1, 2014
We use mason jars for everything!! I love it when my husband makes homemade salsa and jars it! My absolute favorite use of a mason jar!
ashlea
July 1, 2014
We use them for glasses, I store dried goods in really large ones, I have made butter in them by way of shaking cream, I put flowers in them, store paint in them, drink my coffee out of, store pencils, pens, paint brushes. The list could go on.
erin U.
June 30, 2014
I love storing grains in them to make everything look pretty/organized/uniform in the pantry. But, I pretty much use them for whatever I can think of as well!!!
Bascula
June 30, 2014
Starting sprouts! I found some plastic lids with holes for just this purpose, and enjoy growing alfalfa and other types of sprouts in them. Besides canning, of course!
Kim W.
June 30, 2014
I use them for everything, drinking glasses, spices ,canning, tooth brush holder, salt scrubs, soap dispensers, table decor, candle, flowers, Parmesan lids fit the jars perfectly, so you can have pretty shaker jar on your table, with pizza or spaghetti!
SMB
June 30, 2014
I love them for candles, vases, and mugs of iced coffee!
notesneurons (at) gmail (dot) com
notesneurons (at) gmail (dot) com
TiphanyP
June 30, 2014
I use them to bring salads to work every day, hold fresh sprices i have made, drinking glasses, etc. If anything, they are used multiple times a day :) Between canings I have to find a use for them :)
Nicole H.
June 30, 2014
I use them for everything - dressings, homemade cold brew coffee (my fave is the magical coffee recipe on Food52!) and flowers.
kstumpf
June 30, 2014
I use them to store dry ingredients like baking soda, baking powder, cocoa, dried cranberries and raisins, etc.
Jenny A.
June 29, 2014
I have used mason jars to plant my succulents. Just throw a couple rocks at the bottom for drainage.
Barbara M.
June 29, 2014
I share spice mixes, fruit infused vodka, homemade salad dressings with neighbors and friends. Mason jars with a pretty hand printed label are the perfect vessel.
k8patterson
June 29, 2014
I'm all about the mason jar mini pies - fruit in the bottom with a crumble topping, and they come out beautiful!
Ellen P.
June 29, 2014
I use them for everything from edible gifts to candle holders and I put homemade bath salts/bombs in the as well, looks great and keeps everything dry.
Hannah R.
June 29, 2014
I use my immersion blender to make smoothies right in the jar, a real "one jar meal".
Ayarir
June 29, 2014
I use it to store salads for my husband to take to work. Its pretty nice, liquids at the bottom, greens at the top..he only needs to shake it and serve :)
Pooky
June 29, 2014
I bought smaller mason jars and froze all of our baby food in them. Yay for glass!
Cori
June 29, 2014
Sometimes we bake little crumbles/crisps in the lids and store the leftover toppings in the jars!
Zoe
June 29, 2014
I love freezing leftover soups and sauces in jars! Perfect for my very small freezer.
Jessica
June 28, 2014
I make whipped cream in a mason jar. It's shocking how quickly the cream whips with a large mason jar and some shaking!
lizbeth232
June 28, 2014
I use mason jars: to mix a marinade, to quickly whip up a vinegar/oil dressing, and to serve as a gift/package for my homemade cinnamon candied pecans! Yummy!
denise_wright_montgomery
June 28, 2014
I use one to make a fruit infused brandy. At the start of the summer I take a big jar and put some of my farmers market fruit. I top it with brandy. Into the cabinet. Shake it once a day. Every time I go to the market, I add more fruit. So by the end of the season not only is that jar filled with fruit and brandy but my memories as well. Around Christmas I am going to strain it out and give it to my sister. So I can share my memories with her.
pretty_pathetic
June 28, 2014
This is probably not the most creative thing ever, but I use them to make salad dressing. Easier than whisking, and you can just put the lid back on and re-shake when you go back for a second serving of salad.
Kitchen B.
June 28, 2014
To make a cold matcha drink - with cold water and almond milk. Put liquids in a jar, add matcha to taste, shake vigorously and decant.
Fairmount_market
June 28, 2014
To make individual smoothies without the blender jar cleanup: a regular mouthed Mason jar will fit the blade of a blender, so just add fruit and yogurt to your jar, screw on the blender blade, invert and blend, invert and drink.
Lennette D.
June 28, 2014
I use mason jars for bulk baking products like baking soda and corn starch.
Catherine B.
June 28, 2014
Bought blue ones to put my homemade natural laundry detergent in to giveaway as gifts. They were so pretty I hated to part with them. I use them at home for everything from homemade deodorant to storing herbs.
Karen A.
June 28, 2014
I have been using Mason jars for years, at first for the necessary canning. I would not let them be used as anything else, then later used them to store dried fruit. Collected a massive amount of them. Then started collecting the old blue ones, some of mine had turned blue so I quit using them for canning. Git some old ones with the aluminum lids and used them for storing buttons, old and new ones. Recently moved those old jars and buttons into an old Wilson Kitchen Cabinet, they just seemed to belong there. I have 1/2 pints, pints, quarts and 1/2 gallons in many shapes and colors. I love them all.
Pat E.
June 28, 2014
Another use...wash up your bunches of herbs when you bring them home...leaving the string or twist tie in place. Shake off the water and cut a good half inch or more off the stems. Stick the herb bouquet in a mason jar and leave it on the counter top to snip off as needed. Not only is it very pretty in the kitchen but I find I use my herbs so much more when they are right in front of me. If you change the water occasionally and re-clip, parsley and dill can last about a week...cilantro not quite as long...but I usually use it up before it goes limp.
Pat E.
June 28, 2014
oops....forgot to say to put water in the jar from the get go...but you probably figured that out.
Pat E.
June 28, 2014
I'm a clear jar purist and use the wide mouth half pints to make jar pies. Line the jar with pastry, fill with any pie filling, top with pastry, pop on the lid and freeze them. Whenevr you want you can pop them, frozen, into the oven and have a individual fresh bakes pie that pops out on a plate...or you can eat it right out of the jar. Brilliant for singles or to use up that last bits of pastry and filling left over from making a traditional pie. If I could post a picture I would. They are adorable!
Just V.
June 28, 2014
The one that I expected to see in the article (or at least the comments)- the size and thread on smallmouth jars is exactly the same as the old blender bottom (you know, where you unscrew the bottom of your blender to clean the blades). I bought several extra blender vessels at goodwill and just saved the blades, gasket, and screw-on piece. Fill a quart jar with my smoothie ingredients (or salad dressing, or dry spices that I need to crunch), attach the blender bits, stick it on the blender, then just toss the blender bits back in the sink to clean later. We can over 20 dozen jars each year from our garden, so we've got plenty of empty jars around all the time. If you have a newer blender then you'll have to check to see if they kept the same thread (not all brands have). Then when buying extras at goodwill, check the bottoms not only for thread, but to make sure the part that meets up with the blender motor is the same, again not all brands use the same shape on the bottom to drive the blades (so out of 10 blender containers with or without an accompanying blender, I found about half of them matched my old blender)
Tiffany
June 28, 2014
I use mine to preserve stocks and tomato sauces. I also have occasionally used it as a pencil/pen, paintbrush, knitting needles holder.
strawberrygirl
June 28, 2014
Aside from all the obvious food storage uses, they're great for making small quantities of whipped cream (1 or 2 servings, which is hardly worth setting up and then cleaning up the stand mixer for). It takes a fair bit of shaking, so you're working off a few of those calories in advance. :)
I also use them to prep a few days worth of breakfasts in advance, with cut fruit topped with plain yogurt and a touch of agave. In the morning, I grab a jar out of the fridge and add some granola for an instant healthy breakfast on the go.
I also use them to prep a few days worth of breakfasts in advance, with cut fruit topped with plain yogurt and a touch of agave. In the morning, I grab a jar out of the fridge and add some granola for an instant healthy breakfast on the go.
Posie (.
June 28, 2014
Never tried the whipped cream trick! I do use them sometimes for frothing milk for coffee -- same deal, shake your milk hard for 20 seconds, then microwave it. insta-foam!
brittany
June 28, 2014
they're just so timeless. i love sticking leftovers in them and then eating straight from the jar. Also make pretty vases :)
Karla
June 28, 2014
The wide mouth quart jars are the perfect size to hold my colored pencils. I have a row of them lined up on my desk with my pencils sorted into color families.
Zensister
June 28, 2014
I use the half pint wide mouths to make an improv overnight muesli. Fill about half full with oats, add a fistful of nuts and dried fruit, top off with milk of choice (I use almond most of the time, and pop in the fridge overnight. Breakfast is ready when I am.
melissab
June 28, 2014
when making gravy, i put an ice cube, a bit of water, and flour in a mason jar, put the lid on, and shake away......then add this to my drippings in a pan over the stove top. no more lumpy gravy :-) i also use the smaller ones for yogurt in the lunchbox.
Jennifer @.
June 28, 2014
We use them for everything! My favorite use is with a plastic lid and straw. I drilled a hole in the lid, bought cute straws and they are perfect for my kids who are too old for a sippy cup, but who still tend to knock glasses over!
summersavory
June 27, 2014
Mason jars are about as multi-purpose as you can get; I use mine for dry-goods storage and keeping leftovers in the fridge, for canning (of course!), for drinking out of (I have a set of my great grandmother's old jelly jars that serve as glasses), you name it. I also didn't have a cooling rack in my kitchen for quite a while, and a cluster of mason jar rings on the counter served as a substitute to let air circulate under my fresh-baked bread :)
MadisonM
June 27, 2014
I have a house full of mason jars! For storing pantry staples, making salad dressings, bringing a smoothie to work, as a vase... I also store a lot of my art/ office supplies in mason jars- great pencil holders! Oh and probably my fav- growing sprouts!!
Risa G.
June 27, 2014
I use them as vases, to hold leftovers, for canning, as drinking glasses, and to make parfaits. I luv them
Westcoasty
June 27, 2014
I use mine for storing those small bags of gluten-free flour, sea salt, etc., which once opened cannot be resealed. I clip out the bag label and any instructions, and tuck it down the side or on top. If the label (or product) seems messy, I will put the label into a snack-sized ziplok bag first.
Lauramann
June 27, 2014
I use them for everything from food storage to lunch transport to cocktail hour.
Christa
June 27, 2014
I use the smaller ones to serve juice to my kids in, virtually unbreakable and just the right size for little hands. Invariably, a lego figurine ends up "wanting juice too" and swims in the jar for the rest of the afternoon.
schufman
June 27, 2014
Freezing cooked beans (because making dried ones daily is a pain), for my homemade beauty supplies (like pomade and deodorant), and as a toothbrush holder! My bathroom counter looks decidedly more beautiful with a mason jar on it.
Lindsie T.
June 27, 2014
I love to use them for food storage! They work for housing bulk items, freezing produce before it goes bad, and for storing leftovers in the fridge!
Barbara T.
June 27, 2014
I keep the small boxes of matches in them so that they are waterproof when we go camping....you could keep bars of soap,q-tips,and anything else you take camping and want to keep waterproof.
EmFraiche
June 27, 2014
I use them for as a drinking class, mixing vessel/shaker, storage container, lunch box, pencil cup, and the list goes on...
Catherine R.
June 27, 2014
I'm a mason jar fiend. Any time I'm in a second hand shop I almost always leave with at least one jar. I use them everyday; for drinking water/lemon aid/tea out of, to carrying my lunch in, to displaying fresh flowers, to holding homemade jams/pickles/kimchi (make homemade kimchi by the way, it's amazing!!), to filling with candles/plants/stones/pretty bits and bits and bobs and displaying my magpie like tendencies. I love love love mason jar and would LOVE a set of green or blue ones to use at my wedding
bethanyfalzone
June 27, 2014
mason jars have always been a simple & wonderful delight to me. i use them for :: vases, wine, storage for leftovers, wine, herbed water, & other beverages, storing olive oil, a place for silverware or napkins, candles, and i have even used one to catch a bug, interestingly enough. they are so versatile and altogether a beautiful thing.
KaySweet
June 27, 2014
I use my vacuum sealer and mason jars to store salad greens, nuts, flours,etc. Lettuce stays fresh and crispy a week or longer.
alimarcus
June 27, 2014
Always drink wine from a mason jar. It makes no sense to use those tippy, breakable wine glasses!
GracyO
June 27, 2014
Mason jars were a staple of my childhood. We used them for cups, tea, jams, jellies, peach preserves, applesauce, spicy pickled green beans, pen-holders, candle holders, vases, and change jars. They're the best.
Jennifer L.
June 27, 2014
In addition to using Mason jars for drinking glasses, vases, and candles, at Christmas I make homemade granola, hot chocolate mix, chai tea mix, and candies; I put them in Mason jars with a festive bow for gifts. I also use them for homemade salad dressings and spice mixes.
ChefJune
June 27, 2014
Since I'm not a fan of plastics for storing food (especially long term) I use Mason jars for almost everything. I especially like them for mixing up a batch of salad dressing. Just put all the ingredeints in the jar and shake. It's pretty enough to bring to the table, and easy to store the remainder for another day.
Jen C.
June 27, 2014
Love my mason jars! I feel like they're always handy to have around whether I use them for storing food, pickling, decoration, or whatever. They're so versatile!
a L.
June 27, 2014
Storing things like spices...or anything really! kid items, knick knacks etc...and the green hue would be perfect for kid things!
mrslarkin
June 27, 2014
I've got a couple of mason jars filled with beach glass and seashells. They're my favorite multi-purpose kitchen item!
suzi
June 27, 2014
I would love to win a set of the green Ball jars! I would make mini terrariums out of them for hostess gifts. ?? With the ones I have now; for overnight oats (which I got the idea from Food52), candle lanterns out on the patio, vases, pantry storage, and Summer Sangrias. What could be prettier than a ruby red drink over ice with fruit chunks in them, served in canning jars when the weather is hot? More Ball jars pretty please!
gorzd
June 27, 2014
salad dressings, flower vases, serving glasses, and visible storage containers - lentils, nuts, and nuts and bolts!
Emma
June 27, 2014
I like them for pretty much everything! I have little jars of air freshener, I store my makeup brushes and buttons in them, we have one for change... pretty much if it needs a container it's gonna be a mason jar!
natalie
June 27, 2014
I use mine for my daily smoothies, for salads, storing grains, and making flavored waters and teas... basically for everything :)
Kathy
June 27, 2014
I use mine as a glass, I bring my morning smoothie to work every day in a mason jar.
Annie B.
June 27, 2014
I count dry storage, infusing water, jelly beans, truffle salt, and strawberry spoon jam today. With shaker, straw, infuser, and regular tops, mason jars are great for so many things!
Jordan R.
June 27, 2014
I love them for storage, but also for packing up my breakfast if I know I'm going to be pressed for time in the morning--I can put some oats and milk in the jar at night (with maybe a few toppings), stick it in the fridge, and then grab it as I run out the door!
gracieloo
June 27, 2014
I use mason jars as vessels to hold cold brew coffee concentrate and sugar syrups!
Erin S.
June 27, 2014
I use mason jars for everything: half pint jars for my pre-schoolers to drink from, pint size for the adults - I even have a little lid with straw adaptor from Etsy; vases; fridge and pantry storage; and I made a cocktail shaker/strainer by punching holes in a lid and layering it with another lid. We love mason jars!
Janet I.
June 27, 2014
I use my mason jars every day as drinking glasses, overnight oats, homemade preserves and salad dressings, candle holders, flower vases.. always on the look out for more, love my blue but would love the green jars!
dana
June 27, 2014
i mainly use them for overnight oats and storage for my bulk beans/spices/grains.
Erin C.
June 27, 2014
My sister used them as centerpieces for her wedding flowers. We all have one with sand in it. She was married on the beach.
Boston2Berkeley
June 27, 2014
I use my mason jars for all my canning and pickling projects, making salad dressing, storing bulk grains and beans, and as a drinking glass for summer cocktails. I have them in all sizes and love them!
Panfusine
June 27, 2014
I use them to store my lentils and spices that I use in large quantities (THese are for storage purposes and don't get opened & closed on a daily basis), not to mention the canning (tomatoes, relishes, Jams, preserves)
vevericka
June 27, 2014
Mason jars are probably the most versatile things in my kitchen. I use them for: storage, iced tea/lemonade, as vases, drinking glasses (lids are good for keeping cat paws out), mixing (my green morning drink just takes a few shakes with some oat milk, I could go on. The only thing I haven't used them for is actual preserving.
Jacqueline O.
June 27, 2014
I use them when we make sauces and marinades. Recent faves - hot sauce and a garlic scape pesto!
Sauertea
June 27, 2014
I use them for everything, make jam, storing spices, salad dressing, as a vase, a pencil holder. Even stored my pie weights in one. The possibilities are endless!
kiel
June 27, 2014
I used some old blue quart mason jars to make small lamps with Edison bulbs for a bookshelf. Wrapped the top in some manila twisted rope, and it looks great.
ladywild
June 27, 2014
We use jars a sippy cups often. A hole in the top and they are good to go. Not spill proof, but close enough.
pgraham
June 27, 2014
I use them mainly in the old fashioned manner, in fact I'm making jam and preserves today. My favourite use though is the 125ml size for holding my spices and homemade spice blends.
Sue
June 27, 2014
I use mine to make yogurt. Just heat up the ingredients, wrap in a couple kitchen towels and put in a proofing oven or outside on a warm day!
sarah
June 27, 2014
I keep a running collection of dried flower petals in them. The layers of muted colors and different textures and sizes makes for really interesting shelf pieces!
aargersi
June 27, 2014
I am ABOUT to go buy flowers and copy the blue jar photo above! Canning mostly for me - chow chow and brandied peaches this weekend!
Terese E.
June 27, 2014
I put candles in different size mason jars and use them on the table for outside dinner parties.
Michael M.
June 27, 2014
I use them primarily to hold my spices, rice, pulses, grains, flours etc et al, but when my nieces and nephews spend the night I use them to make overnight oats, which the kids love. Wish I had liked oatmeal so much at that age!
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