Uses for Canning Jars

The most obvious use for canning jars is food preservation. However, canning jars are more than just a great way to preserve last year's strawberry jam. You can use canning jars in many kitchen applications and even around the house. Before recycling those empty canning jars, consider one of the following uses.

Homemade Dressings

Canning jars are a great way to store homemade dressing, but they are also a great way to make it. You can perfectly mix oil-based dressings when you use canning jars. Simply add the ingredients, place on a piece of plastic wrap and add the lid and ring. Shake the jar to combine the ingredients and serve. If there is more than one meal's worth of dressing to make, simply re-shake the dressing before each use.

Meat Rubs and Seasonings

Any barbecue master will tell you that the best rubs and seasonings don't come from the grocery store. Meat rubs and seasonings are an art, and barbecue fans prepare them at home with freshly ground spices. Canning jars are not only good for storing seasonings; you can turn them into a shaker as well. By simply drilling holes into the lids, that plain old canning jar can become a shaker for homemade seasonings. To keep the seasonings fresh, place a piece of plastic wrap under the lid.

Baking Mixes for Gifts

Gift giving on a budget is no problem at all when you have canning jars on hand. All you need is a simple recipe, inexpensive ingredients and labels. Follow the recipe to layer the jars with ingredients, and then print labels that includes mixing and baking directions. Decorate the labels depending on the occasion, and add a piece of festive fabric under the ring for more decoration.

Crafts

Of course, canning jars aren't just for the kitchen. Canning jars are perfect for making crafts. For example, you can layer colorful sand in canning jars for an easy kid's craft. Another option is to make your own layered, scented candles in the jars.

Savings

There's no need for expensive piggy banks when there are canning jars on hand. Best of all, if there are several canning jars available, you can create several different banks. One can be a swear jar to help end bad language. Another can be used to save up for the next vacation. Or, you can simply grab a large canning jar and empty it every few months to enjoy a mini shopping spree.

References

• Wise Bread: Sanity Saving Ideas for Canning Jars
• Thrifty Fun: Gifts In Canning Jars