Canning Chat - Stacking Jars

I was asked how I store the 8oz jars in our pantry. Today I thought we would discuss that.

Become a Pantry Pal:

#projectpantry

Time to get organized! #projectpantry

SuttonsDaze Merch!
Aprons!

T-shirts & Mugs!

This video may contain links to affiliate programs. If you click on the link and make a purchase I will get a small percentage of that sale at NO extra charge to you. However, you are under no obligation to buy anything I ever mention in a video.

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Social Media & Email ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Mailing Address ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
SuttonsDaze P.O.Box 45 Mikado, MI 48745

[ponshomeplace]

I'm so happy that somebody else besides me is crazy about the case boxes. 🤪

[janiceseigler]

I have been stacking my jars with the rings on inside the cardboard box and outside the box in the cabinets for over 34 years with no problem at all. My grandmother stacked her cases from floor to ceiling only leaving a pathway to her bedroom with no issues ever. Whether to stack or not to stack is all in a person's personal decision. For me, I will continue to stack for the rest of my canning years. I must add that I have a huge load of jars with their boxes that I have saved because I do a lot of gardening and canning all year long. If you can as much as I do, you will need to get creative to be able to store those filled jars.

[laurabennick]

I generally stack mine 2 high with cardboard in between but what I also do is put a LOOSE ring on the bottom jars (Back it off 2-3 turns) so that the pressure from the top case is dispersed to the rings and not the jar lids on the bottom case.

[johntrotter]

I always stack my jars, but I unscrew the rings 1/4 turn after they have sealed. By doing so, the ring is no longer pulling the lid tight to the jar; in fact, it is ensuring a small gap over the top of the lid. The ring is now pressing on the topside of the glass threads of the jar and this supports the above jars on the threads of the glass jars below instead of on the lids. The rings also provide a barrier of protection around the edge of the lid so the lids cannot be bumped and break a seal. Third benefit is the rings are stored with the jar. I don't typically stack more than 6 high pints and 4 high quarts, also using the cardboard in between.

[danielleray]

I live in Alaska and we had a pretty big earthquake a few years ago. I'm just starting out my canning journey, and how to keep jars from breaking in the case of a earthquake is something I've been thinking about. No ideas yet, but I'll definitely keep jars in the boxes they came in, with something between the jars to hopefully prevent jars breaking if we do get a large earthquake.

After this last year, our supply chain was in danger of being cut off in a pretty big way, so I'd like to keep a decent food storage on hand going forward. My husband and I have 6 kids, and this feels important and urgent.

[KellyS_]

"False seal"....would that be a Sea Lion? ;)

[luvntender]

I was taught to save the boxes and place empty larger jars in 4 corners and then to place another box on top

[christybuckles]

I stack With rings on. Leave rings, real loose on them all and I stack a cardboard box between layers...so the boxes are actually sitting on loose rings not on the seals.been canning and keeping food for 7 years no bad seals found..

[BelovedLeah]

When I open a new box of jars, I cut the plastic at the box top edge. Keep the plastic that is cut off. I put that cut off plastic inside the box, and you have a plastic barrier in case of any spillage. Plus the plastic left on the box is an additional barrier in case of.... So I have plastic lined inside the box, the cardboard original box and then the outer plastic of the box. Triple layer protection and safety barrier against moisture or spills.

[cararoby]

I'm a 73 year old 55 year stacker...2 high on pints and smaller...pantry shelves for quarts...no problems yet ...knock on wood...lol...Cara in Indiana

[laurelg]

I save boxes too, but wrap the outside with box tape because the glue on the boxes is not always the best. I never, ever stack - but that is my personal choice. Each box gets their own shelf, and it is nice to glance in and see the content labels on the lids. By the way - those peppers look gorgeous.

[kanderson]

I dont stack. A suggestion though...store jars in a box with higher sides than the jars and then put a thick piece of cardboard across the top. Then you could safely stack another box of jars with absolutely no possibility of pressure on the bottom box.

[kp]

A few years back we had a major flood in our home. When we moved in there was Pergo flooring in most of the house. When it flooded all the flooring had to be removed. We had stacks and stacks of it. When I was trying to figure out what to put in between my jars, for stacking them, I found that Pergo flooring is a PERFECT option. It’s the exact width of 2 wide mouth jars. It’s been a few years now and not a single piece has bent or bowed.

[saidurrahman-mzxe]

Your presentation is really amazing you have made the whole topic practical, Thanks a lot

[conjuremama]

I also keep the cardboard dividers in the box.

[TheCreativeChica]

I've learned not to stack my jars, but I do like this. I may try this.

[bscrimbitt]

I also only stack the 1/2 pints and only in boxes as you do. We don't get earthquakes here but simply reaching into the jars it's easy to pull a stacked jar off and it would end up smashed on my cement floor. Also concerned about the seals cause the rubber compound on lids is so flimsy these days I worry about the seals with weight on top of lids. If I am going to stack, even with cardboard, I usually put a ring onto the jar. I don't screw it down just enough of a turn to make it catch. I think this also helps to take some of the pressure off the lids.

[marilynb.]

National Center for Home Food Preservation (use search bar on this site and put in 'stacking jars') says "If jars are stacked in storage, be careful not to disturb vacuum seals. It would be a good idea to not stack jars too high directly on top of each other; one manufacturer recommends no more than two layers high. It would be best to provide support between the layers as a preventive measure against disturbing the seals on the lower jars. Jars could be placed in boxes to be stacked, or use some type of a firm solid material across the jars as a supportive layer in between them." Even with this said, I only feel comfortable stacking one layer high and with cardboard insert or box between layer. Since I live in a granny house, I have to make that decision based on limited space. I check product often and have had no problems.

[marcellamunoz]

Leisa
Nice info on stacking half pint size jars. I use white wire shelving that raises my jars up so they don’t touch. I will have to give your method a try. As always your advice is always good 😌
Thank You, Be Safe 😷😷

[wolffe]

I have always kept my boxes and my husband also knows better than to throw my boxes. I told him what you said and he died laughing. He went yep, don't mess with my honeys boxes lol.