Buying Ball Jars
Today, we’re going to have a primer on Ball Jars. Ready? Set? Go!
What are Ball Jars?
Ball is a brand of glass jars – great for food storage (wet or dry).
5 Ways to Use Ball Jars
- Storing dried goods (nuts, grains, seeds) – which allows you to quickly see what you have on hand, and how much
- Freezing stock or soups (leave some room at the top for expansion)
- Blending smoothies with a stick blender (quart-sized, wide-mouth Ball jar is best for this)
- Containing fresh raw vegetable or fruit juice (in which you can easily shake up your superfood - which I think mixed with juice or water better when shaken in a container with a top, than when simply stirred into liquid in a glass)
- Drinking your daily water allotment (and being able to measure how much you’ve had / how much you still need! The measurements seen on the side of the pint, quart, and half-gallon jars make measuring easy from your jar!) Warning: using these jars may elicit jokes from observant co-workers who wonder why you’ve brought your moonshine to work.
3 Reasons to Buy Ball Jars
Here are some reasons why I recommend Ball Jars:
- They are Made in the USA
- They are lead free.
- They are available in wide-mouth size. The “mouth” is the opening on the jar. There is a regular-sized opening, but I prefer the wide-mouth as I find that size more versatile and feel it’s easier to clean that way. Use the wide-mouth jars to freeze broth (beef, vegetable, or chicken, for example) and when you thaw it for later use, it can be easier to get out of the jar. The wide mouth allows the hunk of broth to slide out more easily even if still partly frozen. Just make sure whenever you freeze liquid in a Ball jar you leave about an inch up top so to keep the liquid from expanding and busting your jar (ask me how I know).
1 Best Place to Buy Ball Jars
Ace Hardware sells Ball jars. But in particular, my favorite place to get them has become the Ace Hardware at Seaboard Station (off Peace Street) in downtown Raleigh. It seems to have the best selection I’ve found. However, I have seen Ball jar products at other places. For example, the white plastic jar lids (which are nice since they don’t rust like the metal lids eventually can and they are one piece instead of two, as the metal lids that come with the jars are a two-piece lid) I bought at the Walmart in Wake Forest. I believe I’ve also seen lids at a Kroger in the area. You might even be able to find some jar sizes at a Walmart store near you, but if you want the most variety, I recommend going to the Seaboard Ace Hardware. They have small to large sized jars – including the wonderful (and a bit more elusive) half gallon jars which are great for storing dried goods like grains, beans, or nuts!
Ball Jars at Ace Hardware, Seaboard Station
When will you get your Ball Jars?
I have a fondness to jars myself! I never thought of drinking from them though or storing dry goods! Great idea! Just curious how much they cost at the Seaboard location? Looks like you bought them in bulk? Do you recommend using the plastic lids for any time you are storing a food product in the jar? Thanks for sharing! I’ll be checking these out! Be well, Kristin
Hi Kristin! I think all the prices are around $10-12 for a case of jars. The number of jars you get per case depends on the size of the jar. 1/2 gallon jars come in a case of 6, whereas the quart jars are probably more per pack (maybe 9-12?), pint sized probably at least a dozen, etc. I just buy a case of them (whatever size I need). Plastic is typically not ideal, but since it’s the lid (and usually not touching the contents, at least not for an extended period up against it), plus the metal ones tend to rust over time/bend, etc. I like the plastic tops. Hope that helps!