I used to keep any dry food just as is. Usually, in its original packaging. And I did that even after it has already been opened.
Needless to say, this is not a very good way to store dry food. I do not recommend it because it is just asking for trouble. All kinds of insects can get in the dry food and turn it into a nice little habitat of theirs.
Not to mention my food used to lose its flavor and aroma really fast. This is especially bad for spices and loose leaf teas; they lose their full-bodied flavor and aroma so fast.
That was years ago.
Today I use glass jars for storing my dry food. Read on. Below I share with you the best glass jars for storing dry food and what exactly makes glass jars so good.
The Best Glass Jars for Dry Food Storage
Brand and Model | Number of Jars | Capacity | Type of Glass | * |
ComSaf Airtight Glass Jars | 3 | 78 oz | Borosilicate | |
ZENS Glass Tall Jars | 2 | 65.5 oz | Borosilicate | |
1790 Glass Jar Storage Containers | 2 | 128 oz | Food grade glass | |
Anchor Hocking Glass Barrel Jar | 1 | 320 oz | Chemical-free glass | |
EatNeat 4-Piece Glass Storage Jars | 4 | 27 oz, 38 oz, 55 oz, and 72 oz | Food grade glass | |
Paksh Novelty Glass Jars | 6 | 16 oz | Soda lime glass | |
Pakkon Wide Mouth Glass Jar | 1 | 128 oz | Food grade glass | |
Accguan Mini Mason Jars | 40 | 5 oz | Food grade glass | |
Anchor Hocking Glass Jar Storage Container | 1 | 1 gallon | Chemical-free glass |
What Makes These Glass Jars the Best for Dry Food Storage?
ComSaf Airtight Glass Jars
What I especially like about this set of three glass jars is the fact that they have airtight lids that fit nice and tight, providing superior protection against humidity, bugs, and pests.
- Airtight Mason Jars: Glass jars with airtight lid is made of food-graded glass; Each kitchen canisters for countertop is well sealed, equipped with...
- Versatile Glass Container: The flour sugar storage containers can be a pickling jars for home and kitchen; It is good to preserve various food like...
- Clear Canning jars: Enhance your kitchen organization with our large mason jars, featuring a transparent design; the see-through glass allows...
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These glass jars will keep your dry food safer and fresher for longer.
The borosilicate glass of the ComSaf jars is safe for food storage as it does not contain any BPA, phthalates, or any other harmful substances and chemicals.
The size of the glass jars is perfect, too – 78 oz. This makes them not just multifunctional but will also allow you to store large amounts of dry food.
You can store not only your regular dry foods but also spices, chutneys, and jams. You can even ferment various foods as well.
And even if you don’t like the bottles for some reason, maybe they are too big or too small, you can always return them within a 120-day period.
ZENS Glass Tall Jars
This set of two extra-tall glass jars is ideal for storing dry foods like pasta, grains, legumes, and so much more.
The capacity of these glass jars is 65.5 oz, and you can expect to fit about two packs of pasta in them. These glass jars have a slimmer frame with a smaller diameter.
- AIRTIGHT PERFECT FOR FRESHNESS: ZENS tall glass jars will greet you with the "whoosh" sound of air pushing out when closing them. because it designed...
- THICK HIGH QUALITY GLASS CANISTER: Who doesn’t love thicker glass? ZENS pasta containers are made of A-grade 3mm thicker borosilicate glass which is...
- STYLISH, SIMPLICITY HOME DECOR: ZENS sleek glass canisters with glass lids is 100% clear and matching any kitchen style. The lid is hand-blown and...
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However, they are tall and may not fit in all cupboards.
With that being said, the height of the jars is about 12″.
Spaghetti comes in various sizes but is mostly between 10 to 12 inches long, so depending on what type of spaghetti you have, you should be able to use the glass jar for storing spaghetti too.
You can easily clean the jars because they have a big mouth and are also dishwasher safe.
The lid has a silicone ring around it, which will provide an excellent and tight sealing that will keep your food inside fresh and protected.
The jars look neat and attractive. They are made from highly durable borosilicate glass with a thickness of 3mm.
1790 Glass Jar Storage Containers
These jars right here have a capacity of 1 gallon each. You can use this glass jar to store any type of food that you may have without having to worry about it spoiling, being eaten by pests, bugs, or ants.
- These gallon glass jars with lids wide mouth have a 4-1/3" (110mm) diameter opening.
- Use your 1 gallon jar as a gallon glass canning jar with lid.
- A one gallon mason jar is great as a gallon pickle jar. These are large mason jars wide mouth 128 oz
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The lid seals tightly to ensure the maximum freshness of your food.
It is undeniably a big jar, but better yet, the wide mouth makes it easy to clean (you can also just place it in the dishwasher) and fill up with dry food.
The glass is safe for food storage, it is USDA approved, and can easily be used for storing large quantities of dry food.
Anchor Hocking Glass Barrel Jar
Are you looking for a really big glass jar that you can use to store high amounts of dry food? Well, look no further.
This little beast right here is the perfect solution you need for bulk storage of dry food.
- INCLUDES: This Anchor Hocking glass jar set contains (1) 2.5-gallon jar with brushed aluminum lid. A tighter seal for fresher food. Made of all-clear...
- DURABLE: These glass jars with matching lids are wide mouthed and thick walled to ease scooping, prevent spillage, and protect what you buy.
- SAFE: Anchor Hocking glass is healthier than plastic and metal. It will not warp, stain, retain smells, or leach dangerous chemicals into food or...
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With an impressive capacity of 2.5 gallons, this glass jar allows you to store almost any type of dry food that you may have at your disposal. The metal lid is perfect as it will keep your food sealed airtight and well-protected.
This huge glass jar can easily be cleaned by hand or in the dishwasher.
The handle, however, leaves much to be desired. Especially when the jar is filled with food, the handle does not seem to be sturdy enough.
In my opinion, it should be considered more an accessory than anything else, and it is recommended to move the jar by hand. When moving the jar, just hold the bottom and avoid using the handle for carrying.
EatNeat 4-Piece Glass Storage Jars
This neat little set of 4 glass jars is another very good option if you are in need of a few differently sized glass jars.
The size of the bottles is 27 oz, 38 oz, 55 oz, and 72 oz.
- Durable and Reliable: When you choose EatNeat, you're choosing durable glass kitchen canisters that can last a long time. Crafted from high-quality...
- Stylish Kitchen Upgrade: Elevate the look of your kitchen with EatNeat's glass canister set. These storage jars are designed with sleek lines and a...
- Efficient Kitchen Organization: Achieve a clutter-free countertop with EatNeat's versatile kitchen jars for storage. Whether you're organizing coffee,...
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They are not really big but are a good addition to any kitchen. What I really like is the lids. They provide excellent protection to the food inside. They will keep your food fresh and tasty.
The jars are easy to clean by hand, and they are also dishwasher-safe.
These glass jars are perfect for storing pasta, legumes, beans, snacks, rice, flour, and so much more.
Paksh Novelty Glass Jars
This neat little set of glass jars is perfect for storing the dry food that you are using on a daily basis.
The size of the glass jars is 16 oz or about 1 pint.
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The glass is soda-lime glass, and it is safe for food storage. It will not leach any harmful chemicals in your food. The lid seals tightly to keep your food safe and fresh for longer.
These glass jars are the perfect solution for storing dry foods like beans, legumes, rice, flour, and pasta.
These jars have a wide mouth opening, which will help when cleaning, filling, or emptying them.
Pakkon Wide Mouth Glass Jar
This glass bottle from Pakkon is a steal. It is a 1-gallon glass jar that comes at a very fair price.
The glass jar is of high-quality, and USDA approved. It is very convenient and easy to use for storing larger amounts of dry food like beans, legumes, rice, pasta, flour, powdered milk, oats, and more.
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The lid fits nice and tightly, providing superior sealing that will keep your food fresher for longer.
If you want a decently-sized storage jar, you cannot really ask for more than this.
Accguan Mini Mason Jars
So far, we have covered some of the best glass jars for storing dry food that have a larger capacity. Now, let us take a look at something a little more different. After all, storing dry food is not always going to be done in extra large amounts.
- Set Include: Case of 40 mason jars and sliver lids,value set!This glass jar set is of the highest quality and designed for your convenience.
- High Quality Jars: Each mason jar is made of food grade materials.Great for food storage.Silver lids are Lab Certified Corrosion-Resistant material...
- Classic Design: Accguan glass jars have an elegant design and the transparent glass can clearly distinguish what is inside. Each lid is expertly...
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These mini glass jars are the perfect solution for keeping small amounts of various dry foods like coffee beans, tea leaves, sugar, salt, and spices.
One of the cool things is that these jars are super cheap – this set by Accguan includes 40 jars, and they come at a bargain price, too.
The glass adheres to the FDA safety requirements and will keep its content fresh and protected from any bugs and insects. You can easily clean the jar by placing them in the dishwasher or washing in by hand.
Anchor Hocking Glass Jar Storage Container
This is a beautiful little set of 2 glass jars.
These have one side slanted, which puts them at an angle. This is very convenient for scooping the food out of them – the perfect solution for dry food that you use on a daily basis, and you need quick access to, like oats, or spices.
- INCLUDES: This Anchor Hocking glass jar set contains (2) 1-gallon Penny jars with (2) silver brushed metal lids. Lids have oversized knobs for easy...
- USE: These glass jars are perfect to store all manner of dry goods including flour, rice, coffee, spices, pre-wrapped bars, cookies and candy, laundry...
- DURABLE: These glass jars are wide mouthed and thick walled to ease scooping and maximize protection. Lids are matching and easy to clean. All...
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However, there is one downside. The lids are not airtight, something that may or may not be a dealbreaker for you. The lid does not have any rubber gasket and just sits on top of the jar.
What to Look for in a Glass Jar for Dry Food Storage?
The Right Shape and Size
Dry food is usually stored in large amounts and frequently for relatively long term periods of time. Hence why the size of the jar is important.
Take a moment to consider what kind of and how much dry food you will be storing.
Different people will have different needs so you may even end up needing a few differently sized glass jars.
A few examples would be:
- You may need taller jars if you will be storing spaghetti;
- If you are storing legumes, oats, rice, etc. you may need a shorter jar but one with a larger capacity. And if you want to store dog food in a glass jar then we may be talking about even bigger jars;
Let us also not forget that the space you have at your disposal can also limit your choices. If you have to work with limited storage space, maybe a lot of taller or shorter glass jars will be a better way of utilizing that space.
Usually, it is recommended to go for square glass jars as they utilize the space better than round glass jars.
A Tight Seal
Now that you have considered the size and shape of the glass jars, you need to take a moment to look at the way they seal.
Since you will be storing dry foods, potentially in large quantities, and for a long time, you need a jar that closes tightly. A good lid is important for several reasons:
- It will prevent bugs from getting inside the jar and ruining your food; and
- It will keep moisture and humidity from getting inside and spoiling the food.
In my line of work, I have seen way too many examples of storage containers that do not keep the bugs out, and people end up throwing their food away. So, please, do not underestimate this aspect of your jars.
The Right Kind of Glass
The type of glass also matters. Manufacturers today use mostly two kinds of glass:
- Soda-lime glass; and
- Borosilicate glass.
The former is significantly cheaper but also less durable and tough, while the borosilicate glass has been proven to be more durable and able to withstand more temperature changes.
Depending on how you will use it, one or the other may be a better fit for your needs. However, in general, borosilicate is the way to go.
Are Glass Jars Good for Dry Food Storage
Glass Jars Do Not Contain Harmful Chemicals
Glass is one of the best materials for food storage. Glass is one of the only FDA approved and considered GRAS materials.
Unlike plastic and some metal containers, with glass jars, you will not have to worry about harmful plastics and toxins leaching in your food.
Glass Jars Will Keep Your Food Fresh
Glass food storage containers keep your dry food fresh. Unlike plastic, glass does not alter or impart any odors or flavors to what is stored inside. What is even better is the fact that glass will not retain the smell or flavors of previously-stored foods.
You Can Store Different Types of Food in a Glass Jar
You can store different types of food in glass jars, like legumes, grains, pasta, rice, flour, powdered milk, spices, brown sugar, dried fruits, seeds, nuts, coffee beans, tea leaves, and so much more.
You can even store your pet’s food in a glass jar, dog food, cat food, parrot food, or guinea pig food – you name it.
And since glass is naturally inert, this means that you can even store acidic food in it without having to worry.
Glass Jars Can Keep Bugs Out
Glass jars are the perfect food storage container that can keep pets and bugs out. Glass is tough and will protect your food granted the lid seals well.
Glass Jar Are See-Through
I have used a lot of different types of storage containers throughout the years and, let me tell you, transparent containers are a lifesaver. Maybe not literally, but they are just so much more convenient.
Opaque materials are going to prevent you from seeing what food you have inside and what its condition is. Glass jars are mostly transparent. You will not have to worry about labeling the glass jars or not knowing what is inside.
Glass Jars Are Heavy
One of the downsides to glass jars is the fact that glass is significantly heavier compared to plastic and even metal containers.
Using smaller glass jars for storing dried food may not pose any significant inconvenience. However, once we move on to using the bigger jars that have a larger capacity (i.e., 1 to 2.5 gallons), things may start to get a little trickier.
Filling up such a large glass jar with food can make it extremely heavy and difficult to move.
Glass Jars Are Expensive
And lastly, glass, as a material, is going to cost more than comparable plastic containers.
With that being said, the extra cost is well worth it, in my opinion.