A while ago, I posted on The Boat Galley’s Facebook page about checking your spices to make sure they’re still, well, spicy.
And reader Deb Perfitt left a comment about how she stores her spices:
I have a recipe box, you know the old fashion one? It would hold index cards so it’s pretty compact. I fill the snack Ziplocs with the herbs and spices, label them, then “file” them alphabetically. I keep the whole box in my fridge on board.
And once again, I had a “why didn’t I think of that?” moment.
Actually, I’d make two changes to Deb’s idea, both of them because there is always quite a bit of humidity and condensate in my refrigerator (it depends on the climate whether this is a problem for you or not) and moisture is the enemy of spices:
- Instead of using an old recipe box (or a file box), I’d use a Lock & Lock or Sterilite container — something with a gasket to keep the moisture out, as it will permeate the bags to some extent. An added bonus would be that the smell from the spices wouldn’t get out and into other foods (garlic-smelling milk, for example).
- I’d use freezer bags instead of snack bags. They’re heavier and less moisture-permeable. The down side is that they take up more room — it seems insignificant until you realize the difference it makes when you have 30 different spices! But they do hold more.
Deb’s system takes up a lot less space overall than keeping lots of little jars, too. Actually, Deb said that when she can, she buys bulk spices and doesn’t even have the jars to throw away. Double bonus: not just less storage space but less trash.
Keep the box of spices near the top of the refrigerator so that it’s handy. Also it’s the warmest place in the refrigerator and spices really don’t need to be cold, just cool is fine to prolong their life.
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Jeff Janacek says
We put strips of the hooky part of velcro on the side of a cabinet, and cut out pieces of the furry velcro to stick on spice containers. It really works well to organize and store them. Folks ask us what will happen if it gets so rough they come loose. I tell them if that happens that’s least of our worries, just like our magnetic knife holder.
Carolyn Shearlock says
Sorry to disagree, but knives flying off a magnetic strip could definitely cause far worse problems than the waves. I don’t like the magnetic strips under any circumstances, but if you’re going to have them, please remove the knives before getting underway.
jeff says
We’ve been in some very rough seas and have never had one move. I might add the magnetic thingy might be some sort of commercial duty; it takes a good tug to get them loose.
Beth Dumesco says
No, Carolyn. These magnetic strips are really strong. They won’t let go of a properly affixed knife in any kind of a sea. And I mean ANY. You could be turned upside down and the knives will stay in the exact same place, like nothing happened. It should be a proper magnetic strip, not a cheap imitation. The knives must be strongly magnetic, as most high quality knives are. Place the strip somewhere where other things like dishtowels can’t catch on it. Last, don’t overload the strip. Doing that, you are good to go.
Carolyn Shearlock says
They may have gotten the cheap ones, but I’ve known too many people who have tried magnetic strips and had knives come off to be comfortable trying it myself. I’m thrilled that they’re working for you!
Cindy Balfour says
Wow the knife comment sort of scared me too but maybe he meant that as being the bigger worry. I am definitely going to explore the Velcro idea….
LaMarr Harding says
I also put my spices in zip lock plastic bags. I’ve cut the heat sealed corner off of the bag, cut the top and threads off of the spice bottle and screwed it in the hole left by cutting off the corner. I’ve also used the lids off of katsup bottles screwed in the corner of bags. I’ve put spices, baking soda, salt, ketsup, mustard, mayonaise and Tang in these bags, they take up less space as you use them. The refrigerated items go in the refrigerator and the dry spices go in a larger zip lock bag.
As for velcro I use the hook side on everything: nail clippers, tweezers, brush, stapler, vitamin and pill bottles. I stick them to loop pile carpet glued on the walls.
Paper towels are bungied to the corner of the ceiling. The bungie and the friction of the corner keeps them handy and doesn’t let them unroll like some holders do.
Chris G. says
Something else that might help with moisture inside the Lock and Lock container is to throw a bit of rice in there. On our boat we keep our Splenda packets in one of those small Glad disposable type containers with a bit of rice. Never had an issue with moisture. If the spice containers have small enough holes you can even put rice inside. If rice is too small you can use larger things such at macaroni or other small pastas to absorb the moisture.
Jeff says
Chris try a Clip/Capsule by DRY TOP on the inside of your Lock & Lock it absorbs the moisture introduced each time top is removed and capsule can easily be reactivated in a microwave in seconds.
Elizabeth Aristeguieta says
I have used empty tic tac containers for spices and love them for spices. Since they are all the same size, it makes them easy to store. Here’s a great article by a camping blogger that shows them. http://www.seattlesundries.com/blogs/news/11721973-repurposed-tictac-boxes-for-travel-spices
Linda V says
I use a magnetic spice rack I made from tins and a 16 x 9 cut to fit magnetic square I glued to a board and hung above the stove. Not oncehas a spice container fell off the wall. I only place dry spices in them to avoid moisture issues.
Jim Allen says
Here is a thought. i buy spices in bulk at home, been thinking about when I move aboard and start cruising. I have a food saver machine. thinking about vacume packing my spices in smaller sizes for long term storage, and when I start using them putting into my Lock-n-lock for “spices in use”.
Carolyn Shearlock says
You can, but I found that when I tried to use my vacuum sealer with anything powdery, I ended up sucking a lot into the vacuum mechanism. Yours might do better than mine, but be careful!
Courtney Davis says
Just a heads up…I installed a magnetic knife strip and put the knives upside down (just in case they did fall) so the sharp part of the knife points up. We’ve lived on out boat full time for 2 years and been in some pretty rough seas. I’ve never had one knife fall. I also installed them above our counter top so if they ever do fall, they land on the counter.
Diane Zbasnik says
I just did this with two of my spice boxes and two spice baskets (to keep jars contained on the counter) and was able to eliminate the counter baskets and fit them in the two boxes I keep in a cabinet. I still have another box under the settee that needs to be done. I look forward to having everything in contained and when my hubby cooks, he doesn’t have ask me where the spices are. I did leave the spice mixes in their original containers for now which is why I still had two boxes. So one has the often used spices while other has the occasional spices.