After 12 years of daily kitchen use, a set of 4.5-ounce glass spice jars made by Libbey Vibe remains airtight and rust-free, according to a first-person account of the jars' performance. The jars replaced metal tins that had begun peeling, rusting, and sticking shut after about four and a half years of use.
The original tins were 4-ounce containers labeled with Avery 5160 mailing labels printed from Microsoft Word. By the five-year mark, the account states, paper labels were peeling at corners and smudging, some lids had become grimed shut from kitchen grease and powder residue, and several tins had rusted slightly after repeated washings without drying. The tins had been chosen for being opaque, uniform, and wide-mouthed, but the deterioration prompted a search for a replacement.
The glass jars, sold through Amazon, are 4.5 ounces each, have a wide mouth, and are described as completely airtight due to a silicone rim inside the lid that snaps shut. The account notes that opening a full bottle of powder over a sink is advisable because the vacuum seal can cause a mess. Because the jars are glass, they will not warp or rust and wash up shiny, the account states.
Labeling and Light Protection Trade-offs
Labels remain a minor issue. The account reports difficulty getting labels to sit flat around the curve of the bottle, leaving bubbles. Avery 18695 Clear Return Address Labels in Bell Gothic font, size 16, are described as smudge-proof, easy to remove without residue, and re-affixable. A second blank clear label can be added for extra smudge protection. Clear jars do not protect spices from sunlight, which the account says will require either living with the exposure, storing jars in a cabinet, or draping a makeshift curtain over shelves. Stacking is also less efficient: the jars should not be stacked more than two high because they become wobbly, compared with tins that could be stacked three or four high.
A 2022 update states that after a long-overdue cleaning and reorganization, the jars are holding up great 12 years later. The inner ring can be removed and washed separately for sanitizing, and all parts are dishwasher-safe. The spices are now kept on a bookcase off the side of the kitchen, away from light, on risers. Labels are applied with a white paint marker that comes off easily with a scrubby sponge. The account also notes that the jars come in sizes up to 82 ounces for larger pantry organization needs.
Editorial Notes