apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I also keep my grains in jars, but they are just recycled from products I have purchased (jams, olives, etc.). I actually make the decision based on the jar nowadays (wide mouths rule).

And I did move my grains to the open shelves where I keep my cookbooks, because my pantry shelves are deep and I kept forgetting what I had. I hadn't considered that they'll go off faster out here, but on the other hand, they were as good as gone lurking in the recesses of my pantry. Now, everyday I pass by and think, what can I do with that millet?

I saw people keeping their grains and such in Strauss milk bottles. I do the same now, so convenient!

I love this idea, i'm sure it add a certain amount of "homeyness" to the cupboards having the different grains in the same kind of jars. The colors and textures, yum. Can't wait to have my own kitchen again.
One of the reasons I avoided bulk grains were the bags...don't know why this idea never crossed my mind. Thanks

You must live in Clintonville -- I have that same little pass-through in my house! I might have to copy you on the jars idea...

beware of bugs with this system! i used to do this kind of shopping too - who knows when you need 50 types of grains! but after having to throw out everything (and this is with tj's spaghetti sauce jars and others that had tight screw on lids) i now only use tupperware where the lack of air will force any kind of winged insect to the top and you can see it BEFORE you start cooking your bhutanese red rice! :) i've simplified my grains now and try to only have 2-3 at a time because it can get expensive to waste. also with your lids just set on top - you might be attracting a future rodent problem especially now that it's cold weather!

If you are worried about having bugs in your grains, you can put several bay leaves in each jar. While it has no effect on the taste of the grain, the scent of the leaves repels pantry moths.

I love the look of these but prefer clear tupperware that I can stack. I can then choose which size depending on how much I have of each product, therefore saving space. Plus, you can keep extra tupperware containers ready to go and since they stack WITHIN one another, they don't take up much space but you don't have to wait and buy a clunky jar or keep a bunch somewhere taking up space. Can you tell I am short on space?!!

I love this system. This is how I've been keeping track of my grains for ages.

If you have room in your freezer, we've found that putting any newly purchased seeds or grains in for 24 hours effectively kills any pest eggs that might be present. But agree with the previous poster that lids that are not securely fastened could lead to future pest or bug problems. While I do put my grains in jars as well as tupperware type containers versus leaving them in bags or boxes, I can't display them, since I can never remember the directions for making each one, so must cut them off the box and include them in with the grains. Not display-ready. :-(

I'm now officially grossed out!

I store some of my grains in jars too. They make a nicer display than tupperware does. I may have to re-think that now. I'm already a germaphobe, now I'm going to start obsessing about bugs in my flour too.

@lovemcm

Just turn the side that has the instructions toward the wall. The other side should still look nice. :)

I've been using canning jars for more storage since I got a Food Saver and an adapter that vacuum seals them. Even the things I've stored for longer periods of time haven't gone rancid or had any insect problems. I keep most of them on open shelves but they're in the cellar where I'm the only one who sees them.