Spice Storage - Your setup

Does anyone have any interesting solutions for spice storage (whole or ground) that they use at home or in their restaurant? I have a whole drawer devoted, but it's a mess and I want to reorganize. I've seen suggestions for things like mason / canning jars, and some other small canihsters. I'm not so interested in a "pinterest friendly" solution so much as something practical.

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Matthew_Snyder_68770

This will be watched closely. Not happy with my current setup - which is really haphazard - and am eager to see how I can do a better job. As it is, stuff is just kind of on the shelf, and the space is badly wasted. Quite poor, really.

Previously, I had these slide/swivel organizers, and I really liked them. But the cabs in the new house are a skosh narrower, and I can't use them here.

grandpa.yum

Same as Matthew, haphazard and looking for better solutions. Right now I use these ikea jars in a drawer: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20152870/ to hold whole spices and grind as needed (with the exception of very commonly used ground stuff which I pre-grind in small batches once a month or so). Any excess is sealed in vac bags and chilled.

It's not an ideal solution though and takes up much more space than I'd like.

ipreferale

I will be watching this one also. I have been using these jars, http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/p-penzeysjars.html and have thought about purchasing an CD storage cabinet for not only spices but for all of the other items/additives purchased since reading MC, Alinea etc along with this site.

Matthew_Snyder_68770

I like how so far all the comments are basically saying 'ditto' to the OP. None of us have a useful suggestion yet.

mike.minasian

HA, exactly @matthew. I was at the grocery store this weekend and broke down and bought a bunch of different sized mason jars. Some big ones for pickling, but two smaller sizes for spices. I'll let you know if/when I actually get them filled up and tagged.

tshewman

I have a standard lazy susan (which sucks) but all jars labelled and it works. uts means It's not convenient and all has to be done well in advance of prep. I store extras in ziploc (small amounts) and a shelf or two up. Gels etc are store in a separate box, all in zip bags. I would REALLY appreciate suggestions. :-)

Brandon_34695

Williams Sonoma has a wide range of things in small sizes that I'd buy for a recipe and not use often, like zhatar or ras el hanout. I wash out and reuse their tiny screw lid jars. If you buy 6, you can ask for a free wooden rack which is wall mountable, I mounted a few in my pantry closet. You could probably find out where they source the jars and/or rack and save a few dollars.
I buy Indian things at Dual Speciality Shop in New York, sometimes they come in a stupid size and I vacuum pack the rest.

The most common Indian spices in my kitchen co-habitate so I don't have to pull out a half dozen jars per recipe. You can probably find these types of setups at a larger Indian grocery.
http://www.indianasapplepie.com/blogs/indian-as-apple-pie/7421764-the-spice-tiffin-debut-at-housewares

mike.minasian

I actually have that spice tin for my Indian spices. It's all of the others that concern me...

The little wood rack with those bottles actually looks pretty cool. Here's my issue. Use chefsteps for an example, a single recipe might use enough spices to clean out that entire rack (e.g. pastrami). I feel like I need slightly larger containers.

Brendan_Lee_56950

For the most part I use the 1/3 quart deli containers and just stack them on a wire rack I use to store flour, sugar, etc. I've bothered with so many jars and racks over the years and found this to be the simplest and sustainable solution for me, the containers have so many uses so when a spice runs out I just wash it and it goes into the pile for my mise day to day. Plus, they're cheap, break-proof, relatively airtight, and i can write on them with sharpie and it will wash off later.

Pepijn_31744

I have one of those Pinterest friendly spice storage setups. Looks great, but the usability part is lacking a bit. @Brendan Lee's solution seems a lot better.

Tim_Sutherland_52834

I store mine in the small jars you can buy them in the store and store them on a sheet tray on a speed rack. Once empty I buy bulk if possible. Buy the jars with the name on the top of the lid or write the name on tape.

mike.minasian

I bought 1 back of these: http://www.amazon.com/Ball-Quilted-Jelly-Canning-Pack/dp/B000VTSYA8/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1403626347&sr=8-6&keywords=mason+jars

and 1 pack of these: http://www.amazon.com/Ball-Jar-Crystal-8-Ounce-Quilted/dp/B00B80TJUI/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1403626371&sr=8-15&keywords=mason+jars

We'll see how it works out. I'm hoping the 8oz can be used for things like cinnamon sticks etc.

What's the verdict on storing vanilla beans (I don't have a vacuum sealer yet)? I have them in the freezer for now.

Tim_Sutherland_52834

I have maybe 1-2 vanilla beans on hand. I food shop everyday so things like that I pick up as needed.

mike.minasian

In general I would agree with that, however, paying 10-15 dollars for 1 or two vanilla beans won't cut it. Especially not when CS recipes call for 4-8 beans!

I bought in bulk on amazon, and they were pretty good quality: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005YJ41UM/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

DiggingDogFarm_65362

I use the quilted jelly jars (and other canning jars.)

HammeredChef_DEFINITELY_does_NOT_work_at_22134

This is my set up. I think I will build the rest of the drawer out like I did the left side and move all my spices into the plain jars

tshewman

I need a new kitchen. :-)

chriswrightcycles

I turned some old maple flooring into a spice rack when I moved into my new apartment. I havent had a reason to share the photo until now.

-Chris

nwhiting79

Dose anyone have any container recommendations for spice/ hydrocolloid storage in a professional setting? Im not satisfied with my current set up, the lids do not seal tight enough.

Jack_Mayer_85396

@Todd, I'm with you - too embarrassed to share photos of my storage issues ...

marcyboy1

The Swiss solution

mike.minasian

Hi Marc,

I like the look of that setup...care to elaborate?

ren_74229

Here's mine:

All Lock & Lock HPL805 (180mL)

I personally have a phobia for round storage containers.

HammeredChef_DEFINITELY_does_NOT_work_at_22134

@ren, to be that organized is the sign of a twisted individual...I love it!

Manfred_18311

Some great

samples of spice and herb storage to be seen here, some are not only practical

but even very decorative. I realize I have to reorganize againe.

Unfortunately

most leave out the basics in spice and herb storage: Keep them clear off from

direct sunlight whether they’re in a closable shelf or in dark glass containers

or masonry jars. The energy rays will exponentially degrade flavor.

ren_74229

@Manfred I do keep mine in a closed cabinet.... however, the other solution is not to buy too much of any spice, and if it's old...dump it and get new stuff, nothing's so expensive that it's worth using tired, dead spice.

Having spices sit there forever seems to be the biggest issue with spices at home, as far as I've seen.

marcyboy1

Michael, sorry for not getting back earlier. The thingis come from a company called zak. Rather expensive, rather cool. I'm preparing for more And will let You Know as soon äs i have aeverything together

Josh_105627

Erm. Not sure if this falls into the pinterest-friendliness category, but it worked quite nicely for my purposes - it's just a 4 layer lazy susan, with routed inserts for the glass jars.

http://imgur.com/a/0D4iW