Kitchen canisters are a long-standing tradition, designed to help keep foods fresh and protected from vermin, as commemorated by the nursery rhyme about the miller-boy who "lived by himself, and all the bread and cheese he had, he kept upon the shelf." You'll have no need to "go to London to buy you a wife," (a little misquote there) with beautiful, decorative kitchen canister sets. Most of the sets listed below come with rubber gaskets or seals for extra security for your food supplies.
Canisters do more than just protect food. They set the tone for your kitchen. Whether you are a long teenager, a twenty-something just starting out, or a grandmother with a cluster of visiting grandkids, brightly colored canisters make a charming statement for your kitchen – one that will create a lasting impression that will stay with friends and family. “Where did Mama keep the chocolate chip cookies?” “Oh, right there in the big, blue house, next to the tea and sugar.” While perhaps not as strong and olfactory memories, visual associations linger long after the canisters are gone.
No one loves meal-worms in the cornmeal or oat bugs in the cereal – unless it is the worms or the bugs. A stout canister with a rubber seal can help keep staples safe or prolong the life of baked goods, such as cookies. Canisters can come in a variety of materials or styles. They can be ceramic, stoneware, or metal – reminiscent of a certain mouse, “bitterly complaining … the bread box is tin, I cannot get in.” Such sturdy materials and a stout seal are just the thing for your kitchen comestibles.
Although not recommended for use in a microwave, and not considered dishwasher safe, most canisters are easy to hand wash and dry. Usually, they will not require frequent cleaning – in fact, a damp cloth over the exterior is often sufficient with perhaps a yearly complete clean. Decorative kitchen canister sets, such as the ones listed below, can complement a kitchen theme or they can be the focal point from which you develop your kitchen décor. Their bright finish invokes memories of milk and cookies at the kitchen table or measuring out sugar, flour or salt for favorite recipes. Both practical and beautiful, they can set the tone for your kitchen – the heart of your home. Listed below is a selection for your consideration.
A fully-stocked and organized pantry featuring lots of matching kitchen canisters & jars is one of the most aesthetically-pleasing sights at home!
While it might seem like a trivial purchase, these containers will allow you to safely store your food for years and (why not?) turn them into bold, decorative elements: don't buy them randomly! Here are some things to consider when choosing kitchen canisters & jars.
See-through canisters are best for items that you need to keep track of regularly (such as pasta), or if you're planning on keeping them behind closed cupboards;
Opaque canisters can add an element of color and help you protect the most delicate goods (such as coffee beans) from oxidation; a wiser choice if you have open cupboards or are planning on leaving them on your countertop;
Space-optimizing square or rectangular options that you can easily stack on top of each other are perfect if you haven't got a lot of room in your cupboard;
Smaller jars (especially with measurements on the side) are a practical choice if you're looking for containers to refill at your local zero-waste store;
Look for items with airtight seals for the most delicate goods.
Be realistic! Run a little inventory and write down a list of the food items that you have or would like to buy on a regular basis:
If you haven't got one, start with a coffee, tea and sugar set of canisters;
Love cakes? Grab yourself a baking set that is big enough to fit the content of a standard 2lb bag of flour: they usually come with canisters for superfine and brown sugar, too;
Once you've got these sorted, look for separate jars for the remaining items on your list. Easy!
Consider how often you use those items and how much available space you've got:
Stay on the large side for food that you eat regularly, or else you'll find yourself refilling them every other day;
Look for smaller sets with complementary shapes for items that you don't use as often;
Jars with wider tops are handy for food that must be scooped out;
You could also look for jars that have the capacity of the average size package of a specific food product, so that you can then transfer it into your canisters.
Glass
Glass is one of the most popular options for both: thanks to its see-through property, it makes it easy to keep track of your stock;
It's usually dishwasher-safe and, while perfect to convey a classic feel, it can easily work well in modern kitchens too (just choose sleek shapes and less ornate lids);
However, it won't protect your food from oxidation, so you shouldn't store delicate items in it;
Plastic
Still potentially see-through but lighter and less fragile, plastic is a cheaper and usually dishwasher-safe alternative;
Although it's rather durable, it could absorb your food's odors over time, and you must always make sure that it's BPA-free;
Ceramic
Ceramic canisters do a fantastic job at preserving your food for longer and conveying a traditional or retro feel;
They're usually available in white or light colors and a variety of designs, including more ornate options;
Double-check whether or not a specific model is dishwasher-safe, and keep in mind that even the most durable ceramic canisters can get chipped if not handled gently;
Metal
If you're mainly after a robust and durable option (perhaps you have some clumsy kids around?), go for metal!
Available in lots of colors, it's a breeze to match the style of your kitchen, or you can opt for plain stainless steel if you're going for an industrial décor;
They may or may not be dishwasher-safe;
Wood
Wood is a rarer and more expensive alternative that must be hand-cleaned, but it could be the right match if you're after natural or Scandinavian-inspired containers;
Alternatively, look for canisters in other materials but with a wooden lid.
Open shelves and kitchen counters are ideal to turn your containers into conscious decorative elements:
Consider going for the accent color in the room's palette when you choose kitchen canisters & jars: this will allow you to maintain a cohesive feel while still letting them stand out;
Combining containers of different heights (the tallest one at the back, the middle one slightly on the side, and the smallest on the front) results in a pleasant decorative statement.
