Making More Use of Mason Jars

I really like Mason jars. They are obviously awesome to preserve food, but can also be used for a host of other purposes in and around the kitchen. We use them for lacto-fermentation, to mix salad dressing, to sprout seeds, as flower pots, etc.

Here are some interesting Mason jar accessories that can be useful to improve current uses or to re-purpose the jars in very interesting ways.

Sprouting Screen



We have a few stainless steel sprouting screens like this one at home. They replaced cheese cloth as our sprouting strainer. They can be used as a strainer for coffee or tea that is brewed in a Mason jar. Sort of a makeshift French press.

Where to get it

Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk
Ebay

Pouring Spout



As I said in my intro, Mason jars are great to make salad dressings. You put in your oil, your vinegar and any flavoring you want. You close it tight with a lid, you shake and voila! you have a well mixed salad dressing. A spout such as this one is a nice addition that makes pouring the dressing much easier.

Where to get it

Amazon.com
Ebay

Pickling Kit



I like using Mason jars for lacto-fermentation. They work well for small batches, are really inexpensive, they are made of glass so I don't have to worry about nasty heavy metals that can be in ceramic crocks, and it is really cool to see the vegetables in the jars. However, they have a problem. It is really hard to get the vegetables to stay under the brine, especially if not using the wide mouth jars. Whenever vegetables raise to the top and get into contact with air, they end up spoiling and I have to remove a layer at the top when I want to eat the content of the jar. What I sometimes do to avoid this issue is put a grape leaf at the top. It works really well, but as I am writing this in December, I would be really hard pressed to find a fresh grape leaf. So this Mason jar pickling kit looks really good to me right now. With its airlock it definitely looks like a good option to ensure vegetables don't get into contact with air. Additionally, this system could be used to make a small batch of beer, cider, wine, or mead in the Mason jar.

Where to get it

Amazon.com

Soap Dispenser



Why not use Mason jars for something a bit more unusual? Why not convert them in a soap dispenser? There are kits that include the pump and the jar, but you can also just get the pump and use one your old jars.

Where to get it

Jar and pump option 1: Amazon.com
Jar and pump option 2: Amazon.com
Pump only option: Ebay

Jars Full of Light



While we are in the unusual uses aisle, why not light the kitchen with Mason jars?

There are many option in that field. One can just fit a regular incandescent light bulb on the jar using this lamp kit or go with the off-the-grid solar option. One can even go old fashion and turn the jar into an oil lamp.

Where to get it

Lamp Kit:
Amazon.com
Amazon.ca
Amazon.co.uk
Ebay

Solar Light:
Amazon.com
Ebay

Oil Lamp:
Amazon.com
Ebay

Feed the Chickens



Last but not least, a baby chick feeder base that can be attached to a Mason jar. Granted the capacity of the jars is limited, but isn't this is a really cool use for them?

Where to get it

Amazon.com
Amazon.ca
Ebay

And, don't forget that many food blenders use the same screw thread as mason jars.
Your own "Magic Bullet".

(If you are buying a new blender, take a mason jar lid with you to check the screw size.)

We use widemouth mason jars everyday for sprouts and/or lacto fermentation, others for drinking jars and storage and canning, but you've given me even more ideas...thanks. I really want the stainless steel sprout screens and the air lock for fermentation. I just tried a jar on our blender and it fits perfectly.
Our recycling board used to have a fish fry as a fund raiser for our local recycling center and besides real cloth napkins, stainless cutlery and recyclable plates we used pint jars for the drinks.
We use regular mouth quarts for water or tea when we go to town or anywhere really and here locally still get jokes about moonshine...some traditions never die.

thanks you for sharing:)

Growing sprouts in a Mason jar is really easy--I've sprouted spelt, kamut, and broccoli in the past few weeks. You just soak the seeds overnight to start, and thereafter refill with water, swirl, and drain. The sprouted wheat berries went into bread and the broccoli sprouts went into my mouth!

I've also used Mason jars to ferment, but so far my favorite fermentation container is actually a flower vase. I like it because it is a perfect straight-sided cylinder, and I have corning ware plates that fit perfectly as a press to keep my veggies submerged. I appreciate being able to watch the process.

the right way to enjoy the beverage of your choice

Dale,

is it something real? I want one!

I got a set of those for Christmas it's a candle holder glued to the mason jar.

They are available online if you look up "Redneck Wineglass". Everyone needs a pair

I picked out one of those sprouters for my sister to give to my brother's girlfriend when a gift was needed. She doesn't do wheat and had a number of other food complaints, so I knew this would be a hit.

Coffee and tea prepared in mason jars can be kept fresh indefinitely if the proper seal is made. I've prepared a weeks worth and taken them to jobs where there is no stove. I crack the lid and heat them up inside a solar collector bag which is placed in the sun to warm.

There's a band called Wide Mouth Mason. I have a relative who claims that Masons control our economy, and legal system, but that's a different story.

I was thinking of something like this stainless steel lidmight be good for making sprouts.





Right now I use a regular ring and the cloth, but the cloth wears out after a while and the ring goes rusty.  

this one might be good for making kimchi.

Does anyone know if those sprouting caps would work with sugar and cinnamon to sprinkle on cream of wheat or buttered toast?

That's cool - I bought two!  (They have an earlybird thing going on right now $15/handle spout thingy.)

I like using mason jars instead of other things.

I have a mason jar with one of the solar lids on it sitting on my kitchen window seal. It has been there for years. I really like it, and it has held up well.

I use the wide mouth lid/straw combo pretty much daily for smoothies, sometimes for switchel or lemonade, too: https://www.amazon.com/Ball-Straw-Lids-Fits-Mouth/dp/B00GYB3I94

I just use a baby bottle straw brush to get it clean, and it cuts down on disposable straw use for us.

What an awesome thread!

I also ordered two Ergo Spouts! We have a variety of homemade, real food ingredient salad dressings that we made for the PDC and ATC workshops and that spout would be really handy right about now!

Also, I might have to look a bit more at these links:

Adrien Lapointe wrote:
Soap Dispenser



Why not use Mason jars for something a bit more unusual? Why not convert them in a soap dispenser? There are kits that include the pump and the jar, but you can also just get the pump and use one your old jars.

Where to get it

Jar and pump option 1: Amazon.com
Jar and pump option 2: Amazon.com
Pump only option: Ebay

I tried buying a soap dispenser spout for a mason jar at a craft store and the darn thing rusted. I was not happy. I'm glad this thread was revived so I can look up a better version!

My ALL-TIME FAVORITE thing for mason jars are the Masontops fermentation helpers (for wide mouth jars). Here is the whole kit on Amazon (affiliate link) though you could order just a set of Pickle Pipes, or just Pickle Pebbles or just the Pickle Packer. (And they're fun to say, too! )

To hold the veggies down below the brine for a ferment, you can use a 1/4 pint jar in the neck of a larger widemouth jar.  It just fits. Press it down and then use the wide mouth to hold the small jar down.

The amazing Mason jar. It's right up there with towels. Don't forget your towel or your Mason jar:)

Haven't seen this handy use mentioned ... I've use one rather effectively as a solar cooker. Painted black & left in a car or even just in direct light. Car works best of course. Excuse me ... I need to go make a redneck wineglass.

Mason Jar Seed Sprouting STANDS



link to Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Mason-Seed-Sprouting-Stand-Stand/dp/B076GYXBVV/ref=pd_sim_79_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B076GYXBVV&pd_rd_r=df450ec6-865f-11e8-aa7b-1331fb4ea84e&pd_rd_w=q7tNB&pd_rd_wg=MxXBi&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=7967298517161621930&pf_rd_r=R6AHXRF9M3H9B85194P5&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=R6AHXRF9M3H9B85194P5

Cold Brew Coffee Filter for DIY Cold Brew Coffee Kit, (Just add a Mason Jar) Includes Stainless Steel Filter, Coffee Scoop, and Stainless Steel Straw




https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0771SKXHD/ref=sspa_dk_detail_5?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B0771SKXHD

BTW, not an affiliate link... just finding cool mason jar stuff...

wayne fajkus wrote:Does anyone know if those sprouting caps would work with sugar and cinnamon to sprinkle on cream of wheat or buttered toast?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DAC0ZNQ/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B01DAC0ZNQ

reCAP Mason Jars lid ADAPTA Pour Tap Oil Pourer, Regular Mouth - Black

MULTIPURPOSE - Perfect for oil infusions, syrups, and alcoholic spirits! Find more unique, creative ways to use your reCAP and share your creations!






https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077H496NY/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B077H496NY

Metal Decorative Regular Mouth Mason Jar Lids with Straw Hole (26pcs) 12 Decoration Lids ,12 Striped Plastic Straw Set,2 Straw Wrench





https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076Q869VQ/ref=sspa_dk_detail_4?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B076Q869VQ

Consol SONNENGLAS SOLAR JAR – Solar-powered LED Lantern & Table Light (with USB)





https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BDPTNB8/ref=sspa_dk_detail_5?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B00BDPTNB8

Don’t waste your money with expensive water bottles that always break! BREW ARMOR 24 OZ. (1.5 PINT) WIDE-MOUTH MASON JAR SILICONE SLEEVE:

take your drinks on the road...






https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0190ZUNCU/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B0190ZUNCU

Jarware 82652 for Wide Mouth Mason Jars, 6", Coffee Spoon Clip





webpage

Jarware 82613 Tealight Holder for Regular Mouth Mason Jars






Amazon listing

Nakpunar 6 pcs Kelly Green Shaker & Pour Spice Caps for Mason Jars with Hot Freshness Seal





Amazon Listing

reCAP Mason Jars Flip, Regular Mouth, Canning Jar Lid, Silver





Amazon Listing

Jarware Snack Pack for Regular Mouth Sized Mason Jars





Amazon Listing

Jake, you found a LOT!! I'm currently in love with the silicone sleeve...

Jocelyn, I was sittin around with not a lot to do so I went on an Amazon Mason jar idea hunt... The sleeves make them almost unbreakable - at least enough to have enough confidence to take them on the go... Cheers

not sure if this has been posted yet, but saw 'em and remembered this thread.

light up your jars with solar lids. 10.00 at amazon
and a cute sewing jar kit would make great pressies. 15.00

There are also some cool free designs online if you can wrangle access to a 3D printer.

Here's a bee feeder I designed to keep our little insect partners fed:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2008534

And here's a hummingbird feeder that somebody else created, but I have printed a couple.  They are a little drippy, but otherwise work pretty good.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:77439

My sister has a jarware lemon squeezer that fits right on a mason jar, and it works great. I like it better than free standing lemon squeezers.

I use this Recap jar lid from Amazon for our raw milk.  It works great.

https://www.amazon.com/reCAP-Mason-Mouth-Canning-Silver/dp/B00JV1CV1A/ref=sr_1_19?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1537149542&sr=1-19&keywords=mason+jar+lids+wide+mouth

Also, half of a medium size tea ball will fit the regular mouth mason jars to use as a strainer.  I haven't used it for sprouts, but this would probably work well.

Bonnie

I have some glass lids for mason jars but can't find the tops/rings to use with them.  The regular canning rings don't have enough depth to hold the glass lid on the jar.  Here are a few on ebay, but they are difficult to find.  If anyone knows where to find these, please share.  Or maybe if they hear from enough people, the jar manufacturers will start producing them.  Thanks.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Ball-Presto-Atlas-Boyds-old-Mason-Jar-Zinc-Glass-Canning-Lids-LOT-of-11/382530069464?_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIM.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D52885%26meid%3D6342d8ace0ae46c99b0f887b834c1547%26pid%3D100010%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D223120396718%26itm%3D382530069464&_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109

Bonnie