Spices open the door to exploring endless culinary dishes. With so many jars sitting around, it can be difficult to find the ones you need while in the middle of cooking. When you can’t find the cumin or accidentally add cinnamon instead of chili powder, it’s time to organize those spices. Fortunately, there are a lot of spice storage ideas that can help you bring an end to this cooking chaos. Find out the best ways to store and organize spices with this genius guide.
Is It Better to Store Spices in Glass or Plastic?
When it comes to storing spices for long-lasting quality, many people waver between plastic or glass containers. Both materials are sufficient enough to store them. After all, a lot of spices found in the grocery store are sold in plastic containers. However, there is a major difference when maintaining quality is a concern.
Plastic Jars
Spice containers made of plastic are inexpensive, lightweight and shatterproof compared to their glass counterparts. It may be a tempting choice, especially since so many spices already come in plastic with their own labels. However, plastic spice containers have a number of disadvantages that you may want to consider.
Plastic is a porous material, which means that it doesn’t prevent air from reaching the spices inside. This can cause spices to lose their quality by the expiration date, if not before. Additionally, plastic also has leeching tendencies in extreme hot and cold temperatures. If the plastic spice containers become impacted by severe temperatures, small particles can enter the spices, tainting the product.
Glass Jars
Although heavier and more easily broken, glass is one of the best ways to store spices. Glass bottles, when used properly, can actually help to extend the shelf life of your spices beyond the expiration date due to the ability to tightly seal and prevent airflow. Glass does not have the same leeching issues, so you don’t have to worry about it interfering with the flavors or contents of the spices.
What Spices Should I Put in a Spice Rack?
You can keep a plethora of spices in your kitchen. While it may feel like the more you have, the better, it can become frustrating to manage them when you’re unsure of how to keep spices organized. This can be even more frustrating if you have limited spice rack space. Some spices are considered essential and are recommended to always be kept handy, including (but not limited to):
- Salt.
- Black pepper.
- Cinnamon.
- Cumin.
- Garlic powder.
- Paprika.
- Red pepper.
- Seasoning blends.
Everyone’s cooking style is different, so there are likely going to be other spices that you have not included on that basic list. For those who like to be adventurous in their culinary experiences, other popular spices may be used, such as:
- Turmeric.
- Ginger.
- Cilantro.
- Cardamom.
- Thyme.
- Basil.
- Rosemary.
- Dill.
- Cajun Blends.
- Cinnamon.
- Coriander.
If you find that you do not have all of the space you need to store your go-to spices on your current spice rack, it may be time for you to upgrade to a larger, more efficient one from WG Wood Products. Whether you have 15 different spices or 50, a custom-built rack will give you more than enough space.
How to Organize Spices Like a Chef
Professional chefs know how to categorize spices to maximize efficiency. Chefs work in the fast-paced food industry, which means that everything must be well-organized and easily accessible at all times during the cooking process. While it may seem a bit extreme to organize your spices the way the chefs do, you will find it helpful in the long run.
Alphabetical Order
One of the best ways to organize spices is by arranging them in alphabetical order. This may feel like a tall task to complete, especially if you have an extensive collection of spices. However, it will help you save a lot of time and confusion later when you are trying to prepare a meal. Instead of rooting through countless names, you will be able to quickly go to the spice you need at a moment’s notice because it will have its very own place in line.
Arrange by Theme
Categorizing your spices by theme is a popular spice storage idea. For those who prefer to cook meals based on themes such as Italian or Mexican, grouping seasonings together according to cuisine may be more efficient. This way, you can grab all the spices you use for any style of meal in one place instead of searching down the line for them.
Favorites at the Front
A lot of chefs prefer to keep their favorite and most used spices ahead of the rest of the spices in their cooking arsenal. This leaves them ready and available when needed. Alphabetizing and other methods can then be implemented for the spices that are not regularly used to bring some order.
Love the Labels
No matter which way you choose to categorize your spices, be sure to label them accordingly. Labels are your best friend when it comes to telling one spice from another and saving you a lot of guesswork and mistakes. In addition to labeling each individual spice, you can also label them to indicate categories for deeper organization.
Ordering a customizable spice rack can make a huge difference in your kitchen. No matter the size of your kitchen or the number of spices you have, a customizable spice rack designed by WG Wood Products allows you to create an efficient way to organize your spices.
Spice Storage Ideas
Now that you have a better idea of where to begin with storing your spices for enhanced quality and efficiency, you can decide how you would like to keep them organized. Whether you choose to store them on the wall or in a drawer, check out some of the best ways to store spices in your kitchen.
1. Wall-Mounted Spice Racks
If you have limited counters but ample wall space, a wall-mounted cabinet could be the perfect spice storage solution. WG Wood Products offers wooden spice racks that can be placed on your wall or even on the inside or outside of your cabinetry. Adding a tiered shelf organizer to your cabinet will allow your spices to sit at different levels, making it easier for you to see what you have available for your next cooking adventure.
Consider these benefits of wall-mounted spice cabinets:
- Saves space: Wall-mounted cabinets free up valuable counter and cabinet space.
- Easy access: You can grab spices stored in a wall-mounted rack when you need them, saving you from digging through drawers.
- Better organization: These cabinets often come with shelves or compartments, helping to keep spices organized and sorted.
- Aesthetic appeal: Wall-mounted spice cabinets enhance the kitchen’s decor, providing a polished and organized look.
- Protects from the elements: Enclosed cabinets protect spices from light, moisture and heat. Protecting your spices preserves their freshness and flavor longer than open storage options.
Keep in mind that this rack type requires proper installation. These cabinets can cost more than some other cheaper storage options, but a high-quality rack made from solid wood will last a long time.
2. In-the-Wall Spice Racks
In-the-wall or recessed racks are one of the best spice racks for small spaces. These racks can be custom-made for the size you need and are inserted into the wall, mounting flush in the front. That means that your spice rack will add to your efficiency in the kitchen without taking up any more space, making it the perfect spice storage choice.
Here are some advantages of recessed spice cabinets:
- Space efficiency: These racks make clever use of otherwise empty space, maximizing storage without taking up additional counters or shelves.
- Concealed elegance: Recessed spice cabinets fit into the wall. They maintain a clean and streamlined look in the kitchen, and you can customize them to suit your decor.
- Spice preservation: Closing the door on your in-the-wall rack protects the spices from moist and hot kitchen conditions.
- Simple DIY installation: Fitting a recesses spice cabinet is easy. Measure the area, cut the drywall, slide the rack between the studs and set it with adhesive.
- Convenience: Positioning the cabinet near your cooking area is convenient for quick access.
Since you install these racks yourself, it’s important to carefully position and measure.
3. Spice Drawers
If you want to know how to organize spices in small kitchens, drawers may be the answer. The pros of drawer storage include:
- Maximizes space: If you have limited counter space, drawers offer a space-saving alternative.
- Enhances organization: Spices can be organized in a way that allows for easy access and visibility. Invest in drawer inserts to prevent jars from rolling around.
- Shields from light: Spices stored in a drawer are protected from light exposure, which can help maintain their flavor.
- Reduces clutter: Storing spices in a drawer can reduce countertop clutter for a tidier kitchen.
The temperatures inside drawers vary, especially if near an oven or stove, which can affect spice quality. Depending on the drawer’s depth, it may be difficult to see or access your spices.
4. Revolving Countertop Spice Rack
Many people prefer to keep their spices on the counter, making revolving spice racks quite popular. The spinning aspect makes it easy to access the spices you need. Lazy Susans can also offer the same sort of accessibility.
Reasons to get a revolving rack include:
- Uses countertops: These racks maximize countertop space by allowing you to store multiple spices.
- Simple access: The rotating feature makes it easy to reach for any spice without moving other containers around.
- Easy identification: Labels help keep your spices organized and easy to pick out.
- Visibility: The design allows you to see all your spices, so there’s less of a chance of forgetting what you have.
Revolving spice racks have limited capacity, so they suit smaller collections. Depending on the design, exposure to light or moisture could affect the spices.
5. Floating Wall Shelves
For a simple and easily accessible way to store your spices, consider adding floating wall shelves to your walls. Affordable and easy to install, shelves can help you organize your spices in a variety of ways.
A floating shelf has these benefits:
- Accessibility: Open shelves let you grab spices during cooking without rummaging through drawers.
- Visibility: You can see what spices you have at a glance.
- Space optimization: Using the wall frees up counters and drawers. You can install them in any layout.
- Visual interest: Channel your inner designer with creative arrangements and decorative displays.
Open shelves get dusty, requiring regular cleaning. Unlike closed storage, floating shelves offer no protection from moisture or pests, which could lead to spoilage. Light or heat exposure could degrade spices over time.
6. Hanging Spice Rack
Have you run out of space in your cabinets and drawers? Hanging spice organizers over your pantry or other doors saves space. Advantages include:
- Clever space use: Suspending your spice rack clears counter and shelf space, making the kitchen feel more organized.
- Storage capacity: These racks have multiple tiers. You can choose as many tiers as you need to fit your spices.
- Quick access: Well-organized shelves make finding the right spice a breeze. Remember to add labels to the jars!
Ensure all your spice jars are the same size and that they fit on the tiers, or they could topple out!
7. Magnetic Storage
Adding strong magnetic strips to your spice jars lets you store them on your fridge or on a metal plate. Many people find this option to not only be space-saving but also add a unique way to store all of the spices you like to use in your dishes.
This storage solution has the following perks:
- Space efficiency: You can mount your spices to any magnetic surface, making it a good option for small kitchens.
- Instant visibility: Store your spices near where you cook for quick access.
- Modern look: Using magnets to display can create sleek, creative kitchen decor.
- Less clutter: Using magnetic storage helps declutter countertops and cabinets.
Attaching magnets to the jars takes time and effort. If the magnets detach or are too weak, the spice jars could fall.
Keep Your Kitchen Organized With WG Wood Products
WG Wood Products knows that you enjoy the cooking experience much more in a neatly organized kitchen. That is why we provide a number of wooden spice racks to choose from.
Our spice racks allow you to clear countertops, drawers and cabinets of spices, opening them up for other important things you may need to store. Do you feel like your kitchen could use an upgrade? Selecting one of our spice racks instantly elevates the decor in your kitchen, making it feel more organized.
All of the spice rack options available at WG Wood Products offer:
Unique Customization
From start to finish, we allow you to choose from an endless number of potential design combinations to find the spice rack of your dreams. This custom design includes spice cabinet size, frame, door style and finish — every detail you need to create the perfect design for your home.
Superior Quality
All of our spice racks are proudly made in the USA with beautiful solid wood that must meet strict quality standards. All of our products are built by hand and further enforced with concealed screws for durability and reliability for many years to come. Our custom-built spice racks enhance the storage spaces in your home and can be installed quickly and easily.
Exceptional Value
We handmake our products with the highest quality of wood available and take it further to give you the best value. Orders over $50 receive free shipping, no matter the size, weight or dimensions of the product. We also cover any shipping costs with the purchase of a built-in wall spice rack.
Quick Fulfillment
We understand the need for speedy deliveries. That’s why our skilled craftspeople move quickly to build and ship most orders within 30 days or less.
Unmatched Customer Service
At WG Wood Products, we take pride in providing all of our customers with the best experience imaginable. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff takes the time to work with you and create the best spice rack for your kitchen. We listen to your wants and needs, offer suggestions and help you feel confident about your chosen design.
Contact WG Wood Products Today for Your Storage Solutions
WG Wood Products manufactures high-quality, custom wood storage solutions. In addition to spice racks, we offer other storage options, including:
- Bathroom storage and organization cabinets.
- Medicine cabinets.
- Recessed wall niches.
- Pantry cabinets.
- Frameless pantry cabinets.
- Wooden magazine racks.
- Over-the-toilet cabinets.
- Floating wall shelves.
All our products are fully customizable, making them the perfect choice for any home design. Whether you want to match the flooring or existing cabinetry, we have the right look for you. With nearly 20 years of experience in creating custom wood products, we help you find the products to make your home look its best and provide you with storage solutions to make life easier. WG Wood Products offers our products to a variety of industries, including:
- Builders/contractors.
- Architects.
- Apartment living.
- Assisted living.
To find the best storage solutions for every room in your home, contact WG Wood Products today!