Why Glass?
Eight days into the New Year and it seems as though the post-holiday blues have hit.
We’ve had more than our usual share of cold dark weather here in Colorado, and all I want to do is go into hibernation, sleeping day and night. Of course, that’s not what’s taking place in my reality.
This time of year I find myself spending a good deal of time cleaning and sorting. I cleaned out the pantry and fridge the day we returned from our holiday trip, figuring out what I needed to restock. Above is a picture of the bottom shelf of my refrigerator. I store nuts and seeds (which have oils in them that can go rancid if not refrigerated) in the fridge. There’s also a jar of homemade soup stock on the right side of the photo.
Why glass, you ask?
I have been using glass mason jars for storage for more than a decade. I dislike plastic for numerous reasons. Start with petrochemicals, then move to xenoestrogens. You get the idea.
On a more practical level, glass is gorgeous and aesthetically pleasing. Built to last. No stains on glass, no yucky lingering food smells.
Glass is practical. Forget about the struggle to find matching lids. No mystery foods concealed by plastic hiding out in the back of the fridge turning into a science experiment. You can see your food. And my favorite part? Good use of vertical storage space.
Last but not least and possibly most important, glass is cheap –costs much less than plastic.
- healthier
- visible victuals
- vertical storage space
- aesthetically appealing
- easy to clean
- no stains
- no flavor trespassing
- won’t melt in dishwasher
- matching lids
- cost effective
I buy glass jars at my local hardware store, McGuckin’s, you can also buy ½ quart
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Subscribe by Email to elanaspantry.com:Posted on January 8, 2008 in products by Elana
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8 comments for the post “Why Glass?”
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great write up, elana! i’ll take local glass jars over plastic from over seas any day!
thank you!
January 14th, 2008 5:11 pm
Wow. Just found your amazing blog! Love it!! I’m excited to revamp my kitchen with glass!!! I was just thinking that I would switch to glass yesterday, then found your blog today… funny, eh? I look forward purusing the rest of your blog! Happy day!
January 24th, 2008 6:44 am
LOVE IT. I’m in the process of “conversion” over here, (the plastic hasn’t quite made it out the door yet, only got as far as being retired to a top shelf) I think this was the final push I needed to “go and throw”! Isn’t it funny how such simple changes can bring simple joy to a woman’s day? :D
February 22nd, 2008 9:05 am
Prairie Chick- Great luck with the conversion process! I can tell you from experience that once it’s done it feels great!
February 22nd, 2008 5:51 pm
This post on using glass is great, with my favorite part being, “And my favorite part? Good use of vertical storage space.” I could hear myself think the same thing :)
Since my apartment situation is temporary, and I’m a student without a paycheck, I haven’t bought glass yet. However, I have been keeping leftover glass jars of salsa (we like Green Mountain Gringo for store-bought), and I clean and dishwash them (with my new Ecover dishwashing tabs!) and they are great and free (with the salsa, that is!).
Elana, what do you use or recocmmend as “tupperware” to store leftovers in the fridge (if that ever happens in your home) or for your family to bring their lunch to school/work?
April 13th, 2008 2:32 pm
~M –I just finished packing lunch for the boys in mason jars. They are very sturdy and do not break unless the boys punt their lunch boxes –I broke them of the habit in 1st grade. For leftover storage in the fridge I use pyrex baking dishes that come with (shh!) plastic lids; my favorite though are the anchor hawking bowls with glass lids and I do have a loaf pan with a glass lid –just searched all over the web and cannot find the link to it :-[
Basically though, my fridge is full of glass mason jars of leftovers. Pasta, broccoli, salad, whatever, it’s in a glass mason jar taking up the vertical space in my fridge!
April 13th, 2008 11:26 pm
Hi Elana
I like your ideas to eschew plastics for glass (maybe stainless steel too?)
What do you think about re-using Knudsen juice bottles for water etc…
My main question is this: what would you use once the tops start to rust?!!
(I tried McGuckins and they don’t have a top that fits !!)
I’d appreciate a email back but don’t want my email address out on the web please…
local MD
July 10th, 2008 5:56 pm
Hi Paul-
Sometimes I use my Knudsen juice bottles to store beans and other pantry items. For drinking I use mason jars –carry them around with me. They are more durable than the Knudsen bottles and work quite well. When the tops of the mason jars become rusty or damaged, you can always get new ones.
I hope this helps to answer your question.
Elana
July 11th, 2008 9:27 pm