The Best 8-Ounce Glass Jars With Lids

Buying Guide

If your cabinets and refrigerator are filled with disposable storage containers and zipper bags, you aren’t alone. Keeping food fresh creates clutter, but these days it also seems to involve a great deal of plastic.

Some consumers aren’t fond of all those plastic containers. Plastic isn’t always attractive, and you may have concerns about chemicals leaching into the food you eat. Plastic can absorb germs and smells, too. Plus, it’s not the easiest to recycle.

All that makes glass a popular alternative. Aside from safety concerns and appearance, some people simply like the way foods and liquids chilled in glass containers taste. You can use glass containers daily to keep all kinds of foods fresh and ready-to-eat. You can also use jars to preserve garden-grown foods by canning them.

For more than 200 years, households have used glass jars to preserve garden-grown foods. The canning process allows you to store foods for up to one year, as long as you go through the proper process. You need a glass jar that seals internal contents properly. Mason jars have long been a favorite for canning enthusiasts for that very reason.

But canning isn’t the only use for glass jars. You can put a salad or other single-serving meal inside and take lunch to work. You can use them as rustic-style drinking cups. You may even be able to use standard jars with your blender. Small glass storage jars can also hold items like moisturizers and makeup, powders, candy and jewelry.

Mason jars also come in handy for crafting projects. You can use fabric to serve as an inner lining for attractive containers placed around the house. They can also be set up for use as a plant holder or as a soap dispenser.

But perhaps one of the best uses for Mason jars is in gifting. They often come in sets of multiple identical jars, so you can easily insert goodies like candy, cake mix or jewelry. Add a bow or decorative label and you have an affordable way to give presents to a large number of people.

• In addition to the build of the jar, pay close attention to the included lids. If you’re hoping to keep internal contents fresh, you’ll need to make sure the lid creates a tight seal to prevent air from escaping. Also look for a lid that resists corrosion if you plan to store your items for a while.
• Mason jars come in various sizes. Figure out how much storage you need, then choose the right capacity so your jars don’t take up too much space.
• Although mason jars do help keep items fresh longer even without going through the canning process, there is a limit. Typically, perishables will remain preserved in a refrigerated mason jar for up to two weeks. If you want to extend that time, slide your filled mason jars into your freezer, where items can remain fresh for up to six months. This timeline will vary from one type of food to another, though.
• Some mason jars can be washed in the dishwasher. This makes cleanup easy, saving you from having to hand-wash your jars between uses.
• Not all glass is heat-resistant. If you plan to use your cars for candles or other similar projects, make sure your glass is built to withstand higher temperatures.
• Mason jars can be useful for storing herbs and other kitchen items. You can create a display or simply replace the bottles in your pantry and cabinets with attractive mason jars. If you do this, you’ll want to label everything clearly.
• Decorating mason jars is fairly easy. You can slide fabric inside to create an attractive exterior. Acrylic paint and chalk paint both work well on glass jars, making it easy to turn your set of jars into a fun craft project.
• A good seal doesn’t just keep air from entering or escaping your mason jar. It also can help prevent leaks. This is especially important if you’re taking filled jars on the road with you.