How to Organize Spices in a Pull-out Cabinet Drawer

If you use lots of spices, it can be hard to organize them so that they can be found quickly while cooking. After years of trial and error with other organizing systems, this method has proved to be the easiest way for me to keep all my spices orderly.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Empty pull-out cabinet drawer
• 3/4 inch round labels
• Permanent fine-tipped black ink marker
• Small plastic storage boxes

1. Gather your spices. Go through and discard any old or empty containers. The shelf life of spices varies, but generally 2-5 years is typical. Whole seeds, pods and sticks last the longest, ground spices a bit less, and leaf spices the least time. You can judge whether to keep or toss based on the smell and color.

2. Make sure the lid of each container is clean and dry. If you previously stored the spice near your stove, you may need to clean the lid to remove any grease.

3. 
    
   Write spice name on each label

   For each container, write the name of the spice clearly on the label with the permanent ink pen.

4. 
    
   Place label on spice container lid

   Place each label on the top of the corresponding spice lid.

5. 
    
   Group your spices in categories, such as salt-free blends

   Sort your spices by category (for example, salt-free, peppers, etc.) and place the groups in the drawer.

6. 
    
   Organized spice drawer

   Put all bagged spices, as well as extra labels and a permanent ink pen, in plastic boxes in the drawer.

7. Set a time table (such as once per year) to go through the drawer to discard and replenish as necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use a drawer that is next to your stove, oven or dishwasher, as heat and moisture can hasten the life of your spices.
• Add the date of opening to another label or directly on the container to help determine whether to keep or toss in the future.
• Further organization can be done by color coding the labels according to spice category, or year of purchase, or whatever further organization makes it easier for you.

[eyota53]

on 9/28/2009 Good idea. Aww, that means I'll have to Delete the Junk Drawer...What a Great Idea! Thanks for sharing your tips on How to Organize Spices in a Pull-out Cabinet Drawer! 5*

[MaryKBrennan]

on 9/19/2009 I just opened this drawer the other day, and I can't begin to tell you how many things fell out. I can so use this advice.

[quillerlady]

on 5/11/2009 Great tips. Thanks for sharing. 5*

[tachic]

on 4/7/2009 Great tips to organize spices. I'll look into a pull-out drawer option.

[1InternetSmarty]

on 4/2/2009 Wonderful spice organizing tips. Thanks. Five stars.