Transitioning to Glass Containers
Because I canceled my trash service {and am trying to reduce my waste}, I’ve had to kind of start rethinking how I store foods. I’ll admit, I have always been a pretty big fan of Ziploc bags, but they can only be washed so many times before you have to toss them. I don’t want to spend any money on getting all new freezer safe storage containers, and then it hit me. I have an TON of canning jars. A lot of them are in use, but plenty of them have been emptied over the past few months–so why not start using those for food storage? There’s definitely zero waste involved–and glass is safer than plastic anyways {I think we’ve all heard about plastic leaching chemicals by now, so no need to beat a dead horse}.
Here’s the key to using glass in the freezer without it breaking: leave at least 1″ of headspace, and then freeze the jars with the lid off. When the contents are completely frozen, screw on a lid, and you’re done. Meanwhile, I found an article on treehugger that suggests that if you have additional space left in the jar {freezer burn heaven}, you freeze the contents, then add 1/2″ of water on top and freeze it. It provides a water seal above your food. I haven’t tried it yet, but I’m gonna.
They work great for storing leftovers in the fridge too. For the other leftovers that jars don’t work well on, I’ve been using casserole dishes, glass bowls, etc. that I already had on hand. A simple tea towel covers them fine, and then I don’t have to throw out plastic wrap.
It’s funny how ingenuity sparks when you CAN’T just go out and buy something. This whole no-spending thing has pushed me to realize that more often than not {like, basically always}, I already have something that I can “make do.” It’s really made me evaluate consumerism.
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.”
~Mavis
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tjd says
Hi Mavis,
When freezing in glass jars the jars should have no shoulders. This lets the food expand straight up the jar and not out. Ball and Kerr both make straight sided jars. I’ve been freezing in freezer jars for years and never had one break.
Mavis says
Great tip! Thanks!
Paula says
Or, if you have a FoodSaver with the Mason jar attachment, you could pre-freeze your food in the jar, then evacuate the remaining air for long-term storage. Using the Mason jars for temporary refrigerator and freezer storage is a brilliant idea. I’m already using them in the pantry for foods I dehydrated myself, or purchased foods such as dried beans and pasta, but I never made the brain connection to using them for fresh foods.
Mavis says
That’s a great idea too. I am starting to think a food saver might need to be in my future. Next year maybe!
Cass says
Oh yes, do it!! Make sure it has the jar sucker- outter attachment. I had mine sitting in the cellar way for a year then I started reading your blog and really got serious about saving money. I took it out of the cellar way and now I can’t figure out how I lived without it for all my life.
There are just 2 of us in my household. BUT boneless, skinless chicken breast were on sale for $1.69 a pound. (REALLY, I’m not making that up) So I got 3 family sized packages. Now what do I do? I take out the vacuum sealer and seal each of them individually and freeze them. Imagine how much that would have cost me to buy it packaged that way in the market. I think the meal sealer paid for it in that savings alone.
A side note and by no way a sales pitch….the rolls of make it yourself bags sold on Amazon are another money saver. You don’t have to spend the money on the brand name rolls to use your vacuum sealer….you just have to be patient and use enough off the roll so it gets small enough to fit inside the machine where the more expensive, yet sized correctly, rolls fit. (I stand my too thick roll on end besidie my machine, with no problem…but it is a happy day when it finally fits inside the machine.)
Helen in Meridian says
I see Food Savers all the time at Value Village and Goodwill thrift stores for $6.99-$15.99.
Heather says
I don’t can, but I inherited all the canning jars from both grandmas. I use them for everything, food storage, lunch containers and homemade laundry detergent.
Mariska says
But if you use water as a seal, the contents will be dilluted once defrosted, or is there a trick to get it out?
Mavis says
I was thinking I would run a little hot water over the top layer of ice, pour it out immediately, and then break the ice up and pull it out. It’s not a rock solid plan, but that’s the best I’ve got so far.
AlysonRR says
You could use oil instead, then just scoop it out. That’s what we do with pesto.
Kathy says
I just love, love Mason jars. I make a large pot of homemade soup on the weekend to use during the week, and store it in my Mason jars in the fridge. Also, I love to make a salad to take to work, dressing on the bottom, next comes tomatoes and chopped veggies, and finally the leafy greens. Right before eating, give the jar a good shake and you have a wonderful, fresh salad. I probably learned about the Mason jar salad on your website.
Joanna says
Here’s Ball’s list of which jars are freezer safe: http://www.freshpreserving.com/tools/jar-selector.
Marcia says
I just started using canning jars to store things. So far my favorite is storing cut up green pepper – it stays fresher than it used to when stored in my plastic dishes, no slime even after 2 weeks.
Karin says
Another tip is to make sure you refrigerate the filled jars overnight before freezing. I have made the mistake of putting them in the freezer when the food was room temperature and the jars cracked. Never had a problem as long as they were already refrigerated.
Pat says
You remind me of the “settlers” commercial for TV service. “We make due”.
Renay says
You can put a plate over the glass dish, too and VOILA! created a shelf for more space!
Sarah Y says
I had jars of stock crack in the freezer, which hurt my feelings all over the place. Going to try no shoulders, fridge first, and tops off (think i did that one, but can’t recall). Would love to get rid of ziplocs.
I use jars in the kids’ lunchboxes, for making individual desserts and pudding, homemade salad dressing, leftovers, and more. Pretty sure the teachers think I’m a whackjob, but I’m just doing my part to save the planet!
JoAnn C. says
Mavis, Instead of using the metal lids and tops, I have started using the ball plastic storage lids which can be used infinitely and are easier to wash and maintain over time.
http://www.amazon.com/Ball-Regular-Mouth-Storage-Caps/dp/B0000BYC4B
There is a cheaper version at Walmart, but I could not find a link to it. These are a game changer for everyday storage as these tops do not rust. HTH!
Michele says
OMG – mind blown! Duh!! Why didn’t I ever think about mason jars for leftover storage in the fridge? Gah!
I have been having this internal battle lately trying to decide if I should buy more of those snap top glass containers at Costco… I need them, but now I realize I don’t NEED them! YAY!
Thanks Mavis