If you love to preserve your own fresh fruit and vegetables from your garden and orchard than you’ve got dozens of empty mason jars around your house. Problem is, how do you store your empty mason jars to keep them safe from cracks, breaking and in mint condition for the next batch of jam or salsa? In this post I share with you the ten best mason jar storage solutions to help you do just that.
Mason jars litter my homestead. They are everywhere, and it drives me crazy. I know it drives my family crazy too, but we just don’t have a big kitchen or pantry to properly store all my canning. You’ll find it in our linen closets, in my bedroom, the kitchen cupboards, the hall cupboards – you name it and you’re bound to find a mason jar.
It wasn’t until I realized just how many I had, and how many I’d end up buying every canning season because I wasn’t organized enough with the lot that I new I had a problem.
If you’re in the same boat and you love canning and collecting mason jars then you’ve come to the right place.
I’m on a mission to help you simplify your kitchen, and your homestead so you can spend more time baking and cooking from scratching and preserving your garden harvest without the chaos that often comes with a working homestead.
One of the biggest collections that homesteaders often have and struggle to organize is often the collection of canning jars, empty or filled, depending on the season and the supplies needed for preserving. Learn the best way to store your jars in this post.
Browse through the top 10 best storage solution ideas to help you manage your mason jar stash. Just make sure you scroll down to #1
TOP 10 BEST MASON JAR STORAGE SOLUTIONS
When shopping around and looking for the best storage solutions for your mason jars there are a few things that you’ll want to consider. Since you’re dealing with storing glass containers, you’ll want to make sure that your jars are stored in a low space close to the ground. It’s also a good idea to reduce contact between jars so they aren’t to collide or hit one another and cause cracks and chips.
Jars that have chips on the mouth area and cracks can not be used again for canning. One last thing to consider is planning where you’ll store your canning jars when they are empty. I have a bad habit of washing the jars and placing them with the rest of my glass drink ware increasing the wear and opportunity for accidents.
So with that being said, all of the storage options below offer solutions to these problems it’s really just up to you, your space, style and budget.
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#10 MASON JAR BOXES
The most obvious storage solution for storing your canning jars is keeping the boxes intact and reusing them. Unfortunately the boxes offered now are often trays wrapped with plastic wrap. Cardboard boxes don’t last forever and if you’ve gotten jars passed down to you or started collecting them from yard sales chances are you don’t have the boxes.
Fruit storage cardboard boxes are an option as well, ask your local grocery store or market if they have any they are recycling you can have.
#9 WOODEN NESTING BOXES WITH CHALK LABELS
These wooden nesting boxes are adorable! They fit the popular rustic vintage feel of most homesteads. The three sizes are perfect for different sizes of jars and the chalkboard allows for easy labeling of canning.
The only downfall is that if you have a years worth of canning in your pantry these will cost you an arm and a leg. You could try to make your own rustic mason jar storage containers too.
#8 JAR BOX
It’s like Tupperware for canners and mason jar lovers. The jar box is amazing because it keeps the containers separate and safe. They are easy to pack and stack, but unfortunately I’ve seen a lot of customers unhappy with the price increase on these containers.
#7 CLEARVIEW LATCH BOXES
Clear totes are a disorganized homesteaders best friend. It’s so easy to forget what you’ve stored and where if you haven’t labeled the bin. Once the bin is labelled it can be hard to remove or just feel too permanent for the ever chancing home. That’s why I love using clear totes with lids to store supplies like canning jars, lids and rings. The purple handles make these containers fun as well.
#6 METAL SHELF ORGANIZER
The metal shelf organizer is ideal for your pantry. Stack your boxes of mason jars, your stockpot, hot water bath canner and all your supplies on the shelves.
#5 MASON JAR LID ORGANIZER – HANDMADE
Aren’t these little wooden boxes brilliant? I just love how they are handmade and custom build to fit mason jar lids and rings to help busy canners stay organized and sorted for the busy harvest season.
#4 Large white storage cabinet
Put all your canning in one place and keep it out of the daylight at the same time with a large storage cabinet.
# 3 Storage Hutch
Much like the large white storage cabinet above, this storage hutch is functional and appealing. If you’re storing your canning in a common space why not try a more attractive storage hutch that fits your home decor.
#2 Over the Door Canning Rack
This style of storage is brilliant for finding storage in new places. I’d use the shelves for smaller canning jars on the top or canning supplies. Try adding a bungie cord to keep all those lids wrapped up as well.
#1 Custom DIY Canning Cupboard
This canning cupboard is beautiful. As a homesteader, let's be real we all want something practical, handmade and with a frugal price tag. I highly recommend building a custom organizer just for you that’s why the custom DIY Canning Cupboard plans I found on Etsy is THE top Mason Jar Storage Solution.
Instantly download the complete step by step plans to build the canning pantry (materials not included) This canning cabinet can be made with purchased lumber at your local lumber store, or can be made completely from recycled pallet boards for practically free! Our plans take you step by step through either process – in full detail.
The canning pantry can hold over 200 quart and pint jars, and makes as incredible display of your canning or canned goods.
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