Pondering the items in my kitchen that make my life easier, faster, or just a little bit happier, I was initially going to pick a tool that would make me look like a person with cool and edgy tastes. But the truth is, the item that makes me feel grateful every time I use it is this kind of dorky tool I bought on a whim from my local hardware store.
What you see above is my plastic jar funnel, which I use on a weekly basis to funnel dry grains and legumes into repurposed spaghetti jars, or cooked soups, stocks and beans into canning jars to be refrigerated or frozen.
I mean, read that sentence again. It doesn't get any less cool or edgy than that.
But if you are a jar nerd like me — and I don't even can, I just really love storing things in jars — you know that pouring hot soup or loose lentils into the narrow mouth of a regular jar can be a messy and frustrating task. Having a tool that eliminates that frustration, that fits perfectly into the opening of a regular-mouth jar and catches any drips or scattered grains, really does bring me a bit of joy every time I use it.
I like it so much, I'm thinking about upgrading at some point from this under-$2 plastic model to a reasonably-priced stainless steel number that is more durable and a better looking, maybe even a little cooler. But not edgy. I know my canning funnel will never be edgy. And that's okay.
→ Find it: Norpro Canning Funnel at Amazon
Related: Why Small Batch Canning Is Awesome: And What You Need To Get Started
(Image: Anjali Prasertong)
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I have the same funnel. I use it for canning--it never occurred to me to use it for the other stuff I keep in jars, mainly because it's stored with my canning supplies in the basement. Mind blown! :)
I have a similar one and use if for exactly the same things... and use it several times a day. Makes life less messy!
I totally get this. I have a larger stainless steel one that fits the larger jars, but not the smaller ones. Would love to find one that does...
My mother in law gave me hers years ago and while I dont can, I use it for all of the other purposes mentioned above. I love that thing! And my color is even nerdy..avocado green. Oh joy. What it lacks in aesthetics it more than makes up for in function.
That's ok! You don't have to be trendy/hip/edgy. I love my canning funnel too! Glass jars are the best storage method in the pantry or refrigerator :)
So glad I inherited my mother's similarly dorky avocado green plastic canning funnel. It's way less edgy than the cones of parchment/foil/??? I was using before, or plastic cups with the bottoms cut out, and works so much better. :P
I have a collapsible one and LOVE it!
Me, too! I have an old aluminum canning funnel rescued from the family basement (my mother having long ago switched to the acid-safe plastic). I use it to fill glass jars with staples.
I also use it to funnel homemade mixes into jars to stash in the pantry: cornbread, pancake mix, beer bread, coffee cake. That way, I can whip up homemade quickbreads as fast as I can melt some butter and beat an egg.
I don't can, and it I did, I'd buy plastic or stainless --- but that wide-mouthed funnel has proven hugely useful over the years.
I use my canning funnel each morning to get my ground coffee into the aeropress - and for countless other tasks.
I splurged on this stainless steel funnel, as it includes a smaller funnel that screws into the bottom. Thus I can fill both wide-mouthed bottles and refill spice bottles with a single tool. Dorky, yes, but indispensable.
Oh yeah. I have two wide mouth funnels and I use them both. I'm a mason jar-aholic as well, and I'm constantly transferring bulk goods into or between jars. It's just so tidy with a wide mouth funnel!
@lazy_lurker: Ooo...I have a new dream funnel.
Decades ago, I picked up a set of three nesting funnels at an autosupply store. They are heat-resistent, hang from a hook, and very tough. Perhaps they are not perfectly food grade - but my food is rarely in contact with a funnel for very long.
I have no idea why a canning funnel would be dorky.
Oh my gosh, I need this!! I am often frustrated by how narrow my funnels are and I also happen to use mason jars for dry goods and leftovers, so this is perfect for me. Your simple, "dorky" kitchen treat will be a game changer for me. Thank you so much!
My canning funnel collapses flat! I too, love a good canning funnel.
I think maybe loving it to the degree she does makes her feel dorky. We all have stuff like that, right? (I am a HUGE dork for wild rice. As in, I eat it all the time, share wild rice news with friends, and plan to get a permit to collect it in Wisconsin this year. Dorky.)
I think I've said this on at least 3 threads--but I'm not going to check......
Mine's avacado green, too.
I've got a cheapo plastic canning funnel with ridges that let it rest securely on both regular-mouth and wide-mouth jars. It's one of my favorite things!